General Discussion

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)

122. Humbling and gratifying. We should all be grateful for their

Reply to oldandhappy (Reply #115)

Fri Jun 19, 2015, 04:53 AM

Jun 2015

restrained dignity and display of civility.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

155 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Shooters of color are called �terrorists� and �thugs.� Why are white people called �mentally ill�? [View all] Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 OP

Yep!!! oldandhappy Jun 2015 #1

If I, a born and bred WASP, get seethingly angry over this, what must POC feel? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #2

I think they have SO much experience with this, SO Many years of HORRIFIC treatment randys1 Jun 2015 #26

Impossible even to imagine. Most AA crime is black on black. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #28

I was thinking of this as I watched the oldandhappy Jun 2015 #115

Humbling and gratifying. We should all be grateful for their Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #122

I see him as a terrorist and I can't help but wonder if the diagnosis of MI is the modern world Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #3

Terrorism by definition is evil as it targets the innocent and helpless. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #8

Demonic possession? That explains it. immoderate Jun 2015 #12

I think people are quite capable of creating their own evil. To claim demonic possession would be to Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #17

I'm sure that in his mind, he was acting responsibly. immoderate Jun 2015 #30

Mental illness leads to abhorrent behavior but not all abhorrent behavior is mental illness. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #32

OTOH, I cannot point to a cold-blooded killer, and say, "There goes a normal person." immoderate Jun 2015 #35

I don't see how that is different from what I offered. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #39

You offered "evil" as an explanation for something, or other. immoderate Jun 2015 #41

Mental illness is a psychophysiological condition, a disease of the body. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #44

That's why mentally ill people, ... make rational decisions...?! immoderate Jun 2015 #84

this indivdual is a heaven05 Jun 2015 #46

If he is one of many, why did he distinguish himself by acting out? immoderate Jun 2015 #88

nerve enough heaven05 Jun 2015 #97

Doesn't your description refer to someone 'mentally different' than normal? immoderate Jun 2015 #98

all racist brains are "fucked up" heaven05 Jun 2015 #99

He carried a gun into a Bible study meeting in a church. JDPriestly Jun 2015 #47

Pretty much my point. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #49

This, to you, is a sign of sanity? immoderate Jun 2015 #92

So, someone knowing what they're doing is evil and choosing to do it anyway Dark n Stormy Knight Jun 2015 #96

People with a disease cannot be responsible for their actions. One might as well condemn Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #100

Your first three sentences are correct. The last one is not. Dark n Stormy Knight Jun 2015 #102

Then no murderer would be responsible for their actions. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #103

Ultimately true. Mental health is the final frontier. Dark n Stormy Knight Jun 2015 #104

'A sick society creates sick people.' Amen! Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #121

There was a great article on this subject in the print version of Psychology Today. Dark n Stormy Knight Jun 2015 #107

Thanks for posting this. Indeed, 'a challenge to traditional notions...' Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #123

Hopefully such thinking will lead to society realizing importance of Dark n Stormy Knight Jun 2015 #155

Let's call it what it was: a political act. Extreme RW ideology taken to its logical conclusion: leveymg Jun 2015 #76

Yes. Iggo Jun 2015 #4

people are already arguing this on other baords, hollysmom Jun 2015 #5

If his family are the racist hatemongers that we suspect, I hope they are at least Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #18

"Just another Adam Lanza." truebluegreen Jun 2015 #6

Yes, it's general knowledge that Lanza was frustrated at the invasion of Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #20

Saw that, too, did ya? Iggo Jun 2015 #57

I was trying to imagine how this would NOT be an act of terrorism. immoderate Jun 2015 #7

Yes, he allowed one of his potential victims to escape and told her to tell the world. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #9

Attribution bias - Media represents white culture, therefore white culture is their ingroup ck4829 Jun 2015 #10

Mental 'issues' = easy, expedient rationalization. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #11

Great post. nt raccoon Jun 2015 #64

It's white privilege for white people not to be responsible for the sins of one of their own AZ Progressive Jun 2015 #13

Using the 'mentally ill' label automatically individualizes the perp and exculpates his 'tribe'. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #15

The guy who went from Baltimore to NYC and killed the cops. Igel Jun 2015 #38

Totally off topic, but is your sig quotation from a French translation of E. A. Poe's 'The Raven'? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #45

HELLO exactly. AT this point I no longer have any time for the racists, at all, which includes randys1 Jun 2015 #27

My question is can the father be prosecuted exboyfil Jun 2015 #14

In SC? Now, that WOULD be a first! Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #16

You claimed racism is mental illness. Have you changed your mind? HereSince1628 Jun 2015 #19

Sorry you're confused. Perhaps you failed to notice the "..." Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #23

A LOT of people are calling him a terrorist, actually. Lizzie Poppet Jun 2015 #21

And a lot are looking for any other excuse, too, at least Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #22

Some on the right are calling it anti-Christian terrorism, too. Lizzie Poppet Jun 2015 #31

There are several posts in GD which make a case for the main culprits being... Eleanors38 Jun 2015 #36

Any other explanation will do to avoid connecting the dots--RW indoctrination creates racists. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #66

And I agree with you. The immediate effect is to legitimize racism. Eleanors38 Jun 2015 #130

Depends Crabby Appleton Jun 2015 #24

Had forgotten about that rare and unusual incident. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #25

one out of a thousand heaven05 Jun 2015 #56

Actually about 50% are deemed mentally ill riderinthestorm Jun 2015 #59

You can't be a terrorist and also mentally ill? alarimer Jun 2015 #29

Well, in my very personal opinion, terrorists by definition display mentally aberrant behavior Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #33

Right. And considering there were many exposed to the same influences, who didn't commit mass murder immoderate Jun 2015 #34

Racism did this heaven05 Jun 2015 #42

That's it exactly. HappyMe Jun 2015 #138

A good question, but you have to admit this guy looks nuttier than a fruitcake. Vinca Jun 2015 #37

I'd rather say he looks like a spoiled, nasty brat with a big chip on his shoulder. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #85

Seen just that expression on a lot of twerps looking for a fight. Eleanors38 Jun 2015 #131

Curled lip and all! Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #133

two words, simple really heaven05 Jun 2015 #40

Yep!^^^ LovingA2andMI Jun 2015 #48

And, it's so insidious that it pervades most public discourse with impunity. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #83

I've been wondering the same thing. Thanks so much for posting this. JDPriestly Jun 2015 #43

You're welcome. It struck home with me, and I'm a WASP. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #51

Some people want to turn this into another gun debate.... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2015 #50

NOBODY, except the occasional invited, token black intellectual. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #53

As we are now in a speculative state, I realize it's human nature to nirvana555 Jun 2015 #65

We will know all about them if they run to Hannity. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2015 #70

I have often wondered if some white people want to label racism a mental illness so they Solly Mack Jun 2015 #52

I DO see what you're saying and point well taken. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #60

Exactly. Thank you. Solly Mack Jun 2015 #63

... Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #68

Because the word thug implies that they are not redeemable. A mentally ill person can get help. Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #54

I think that is an aspect of it. White America can be redeemed Solly Mack Jun 2015 #58

The need has become exceedingly apparent for real treatments for society's abuser mindset. Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #71

We do indeed. Solly Mack Jun 2015 #73

And if people are saying "you're wrong" then listen and evaluate what they are saying Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #110

Studies show people actually become more entrenched in their beliefs Solly Mack Jun 2015 #111

Thanks for the link, Solly. Bookmarked for later.. Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #112

People exert a lot of effort to cling to their beliefs. Solly Mack Jun 2015 #113

For many, being wrong carries a huge emotional reaction, which clouds reason. Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #128

No clue. I really don't know. Solly Mack Jun 2015 #134

I think we need to keep talking about Caring, Loving, and Peace. And do not stop. Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #136

Good idea. Solly Mack Jun 2015 #137

^^^AMEN to this^^^! Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #118

In self-analysis it it easy to get stuck in the trap of being aware of ones own shortcomings Dont call me Shirley Jun 2015 #129

Until evidence otherwise this a thug in my book. gordianot Jun 2015 #55

I prefer domestic terrorist and racist killer. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #69

Correct gordianot Jun 2015 #77

That's what happens when those who have the privelege make the labels. n/t jtuck004 Jun 2015 #61

I think this needs to be bolded and repeated: raccoon Jun 2015 #62

There was SO much to highlight in that piece. You're right--this phrase deserves to be Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #75

Because a true racist has a mental issue. nt 7962 Jun 2015 #67

And, terrorists are mentally aberrant. That doesn't mean they cannot control their behavior. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #72

But how many mass murdering shooters were people of color? I can't remember even one! 1monster Jun 2015 #74

I think some 'highway snipers' were POC a few years ago, no? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #78

The motives of the 'Beltway Snipers' Lilith Rising Jun 2015 #91

Thanks for taking the trouble to find it... Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #94

You're welcome :) Lilith Rising Jun 2015 #101

Aaron Alexis ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2015 #108

Off the top of my head... linuxman Jun 2015 #125

Kicked and recommended a whole bunch! Enthusiast Jun 2015 #79

... Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #87

... Enthusiast Jun 2015 #89

The premise of your subject line is patently false George II Jun 2015 #80

MY subject line? You'll have to take that up with Ms. Butler of WAPO. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #90

see post 90. LeftOfWest Jun 2015 #117

stochastic terrorism ish of the hammer Jun 2015 #81

Perhaps you'd like to enlarge on this? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #93

Could the 'random variable' in this killer terrorist's case be a racist family environment? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #95

SC state Rep Todd Rutherford says it's cause they're egged on by Faux News... countryjake Jun 2015 #106

Obvious...'it's cause they're egged on by Faux News...' Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #119

From Daily Kos: backscatter712 Jun 2015 #109

^^^This!^^^ Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #116

It's a two-for-one deal. hunter Jun 2015 #82

^^^This!^^^ Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #86

Even unarmed people of color trying to swim are called thugs and Jamastiene Jun 2015 #105

Reminds me of these photos from Katrina. Remember the divergence in 'labelling'? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #124

Sanders called it an act of terror. LWolf Jun 2015 #114

Good on him. Call it what it is. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #120

I've seen plenty of people Dorian Gray Jun 2015 #126

Well, the 'usual suspects' are pushing the meme of 'an attack on religion' and Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #127

I remember that the DC shooter was believed to be a white man Tipperary Jun 2015 #132

Racism = mental aberration, but that doesn't mean Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #135

DURec. bvar22 Jun 2015 #139

Yesss! I posted this unforgettable and damning contrast in another thread. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #141

Somebody send this to Chuck Todd. sinkingfeeling Jun 2015 #140

NRA B Calm Jun 2015 #142

humanizing him, compared to narrative spun about anyone not white. BlancheSplanchnik Jun 2015 #143

The very core of systemic racism and discrimination... Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #145

I put this *thing* into the same column as McVeigh. roamer65 Jun 2015 #144

Let's hope the FBI carries through and brings this sub-human before a FEDERAL court. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #146

The murders dont fit the rules for being tried in federal court, they could charge him with a hate cstanleytech Jun 2015 #150

The only reason that someone could DELIBERATELY walk into a BLACK church rocktivity Jun 2015 #147

Ya think? Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #148

The current director of the FBI doesn't think rocktivity Jun 2015 #149

Labeling any crime that scares the crap out of us as terrorism needs to be resisted, people!!! Freelancer Jun 2015 #151

Sickening get the red out Jun 2015 #152

Uhhhhh.... peace13 Jun 2015 #153

the overlay on all this is 1000 coordinated radio stations certainot Jun 2015 #154