Why the heck are people rioting in Charlotte?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205771)
Walnut Creek, California
September 22, 2016 5:20pm CST
I heard on the news that there have been two nights of rioting in Charlotte NC after an armed man was shot and killed by police after failing to follow police orders. The man who was shot was black, as was the officer who shot him. Some people are going so far as to claim that "race" was involved in the shooting, though the man who was shot and the policeman who shot him were of the same "race." I heard some guy on the radio from the "Nation of Islam" say that white people won't be given respect until black people are given respect. All fine and good, but not relevant to this case.
I didn't even hear until today that the man who was shot had a lengthy police record, and had served several years in prison. I haven't "vetted" this story, but the person who sent it to me usually fact-checks well.
Why in the heck are people in Charlotte rioting and looting when their own police did the best it could to protect them from a repeat criminal. Black Americans are victims of crime at a rate way out of proportion to their representation in the overall population. Yes, most of the perpetrators are black, but "race" shouldn't be relevant when police try to protect citizens from armed criminals. I would think that law-abiding black citizens would be glad that the police were vigilant when a repeat offender failed to yield to their commends.
I believe that Cam Newton, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, made a statement calling on black citizens of Charlotte to take responsibility and show themselves in a better light. I'd like to see protests against the rioters (they are not protesters), but I'd fear for the lives of those who stand against rioting and looting.
If Newton really did make this statement (I just heard a tiny clip on the radio), I'm going to have to renounce my status as a San Francisco 49ers fan and become a Carolina Panthers fan.
The friends and family of Keith Lamont Scott, the Charlotte man killed by police this week, portray him as a 'family man' and 'likable.' This may be true. However, Scott also had a long police record that included gun violations. Buried deep in this Charlo
21 people like this
21 responses
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
22 Sep 16
Short response on a big issue....what has rioting ever solved?????
7 people like this
@TheHorse (205771)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Sep 16
Well, looting got me a nice Danish Modern Eames chair, which goes nicely with my Dynaco speakers and my lighter throw pillows. And I've received many positive comments about the single malt Scotch I serve, which was acquired at a corner liquor store during one of the Oakland riots. All of that broken glass was kind of scary, but what the heck.
3 people like this
@CinnamonGrl (7083)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
22 Sep 16
@Mike197602 That's true. Many of them come from outside the area. ..opportunists.
3 people like this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
22 Sep 16
@TheHorse 
On a more serious note...after the London (and other cities including where I lived at the time) riots I've decided 99% of these people have no interest in the actual issue (if there even is a real issue) they just want an excuse to smash stuff up and steal things.
On a more serious note...after the London (and other cities including where I lived at the time) riots I've decided 99% of these people have no interest in the actual issue (if there even is a real issue) they just want an excuse to smash stuff up and steal things.3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
22 Sep 16
Because if you riot you get to loot and do all kinds of crazy things with a mob mentality. Have you ever been tempted to riot and loot? Me either!!
5 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse I know it always seems so counter productive when they ruin the neighborhood they live in!!!
@Tampa_girl7 (48958)
• United States
23 Sep 16
It sickens me to see this rioting going on there.
5 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48958)
• United States
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse I believe these rioters are just using this as an opportunity to reek havoc. I doubt it has anything to do with protesting. Most of them are most likely criminals.
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
23 Sep 16
Genocide is our friend. After all, if there is an infestation of lawlessness, then purging that location is the quickest approach to the cure, right?
Too bad that even if that was the way part of me still feels, I want to save these people from themselves because even a person is a resource. It's easier to build a new society with the hands in place. Trying to clean up after years of destruction really delays things.
3 people like this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse You can always use my tried and true method if all else fails.
And you can always rely on new television shows to take care of the problem as well. "Survivor: Riot Edition!" '150 go in, only one can return.'
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205771)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Sep 16
@OneOfMany Round 'em up and send them to an island to create their own society. Basically Survivor: Riot Edition. Make sure they have ample seeds for farming, medical texts, wood for building, and water.
2 people like this
@Dena91 (15860)
• United States
23 Sep 16
Living 50 miles from there I can tell you it is a disgrace to the city, that thugs are allowed to riot. Everyone is on edge.
One of the rioters last night said because the blacks don't get any justice they have the right to take back what is rightfully theirs. So looting a Walmart, Walgreen, setting goods from 18 wheelers on fire on interstate 85, demolishing other buildings, punching news reporters and trying to drag them to a fire is alright for them to do because they get no justice. There is zero logic in that. Do I think they get justice, no not always. There are times that doesn't happen regardless of skin color.
National guard is out tonight. Hoping it would only be a protest and no more riots, time will tell.
And we'd love to have you as a Panthers fan!!!! Cam said it right, we are all responsible for our own actions. He has a tremendous foundation and is proactive in the Charlotte community. Say a prayer for our nation. I'd love to see Martin Luther Kings words become a reality one day, where his children are judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. He was a great man. Never looted. Never hurt another human. Never set a fire. But protested the injustices of his day.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (205771)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Sep 16
@nanette64 Oh, yes. That's very true. Most of those who riot and loot could give a rat's azz about MLK's message.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse He would be the first one to tell these idiots to knock it off.
2 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
23 Sep 16
I said yesterday morning when I got up and saw the news that this isn't protesting. All that have looted, caused destruction of property and assaulted people/officers should find themselves facing charges. One issue doesn't give someone the right to hurt someone else, destroy another's personal property or steal from them. If you have a legitimate complaint then protest, peacefully. A person was shot, by an officer. Nothing about that gives anyone the right, to burn down businesses, break windows, steal, or hurt others. When I grew up, officers were respected and from what I know, people obeyed what was asked of them by an officer. Hate groups such as BLM and The Black Panther's don't help the situation. Martin Luther King, saw great injustice and he protested, he didn't lead people into cities to start fires and vandalize businesses. he didn't encourage violence. I will never understand "protesting" using violence. This as far as I'm concerned wasn't protesting it was rioting. This of course is my 2 cents worth!!
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
23 Sep 16
I found this and thought it might shed a little light.
The deaths of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamon Scott cut deep into Tulsa and Charlotte. But the communities' response couldn't have looked more different.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Sep 16
That is not what I am hearing on MSNBC at all. The one I was listening to had a Traumatic Brain Injury and was shot in the parking lot. Could they have gotten the wrong information?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Sep 16
@TheHorse ....I'm wondering the same thing. So many going on right now.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205771)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Sep 16
@celticeagle I'm confused. I hadn't heard anything about traumatic brain injury.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51532)
• Philippines
23 Sep 16
I can't believe they would riot over this, can't they just stop, breathe and think of what the guy did before he got shot?
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458206)
• Switzerland
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse Last Sunday a group of protesters (about 300) crossed the border from Italy to show their support to the illegal immigrants who wanted to come to Switzerland. Everything went well, until a group of no more of 20 people joined them and they started to burn, loot and damage cars and everything on their way. Well, we are not in Italy, they are all in jail right now.
1 person likes this
@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
23 Sep 16
I thought the officer was a white woman, unless this is another incident that is very similar. I saw it on the news, and they were charging a white woman. Maybe it was in Tulsa. I don't understand why all of a sudden, cops of any race, are just shooting people at the tip of a hat, these days. There was a time when this never happened.
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
23 Sep 16
The incident you refer to was a white officer that happened in Tulsa. The riots are happening in Charlotte and it was a black officer that did the shooting.
I believe there was a time that officer's were respected, what happened?
@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
23 Sep 16
@TheHorse - It was just an expression...like someone saying trigger happy. There are various reasons, why stuff like this happens.
2 people like this
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
23 Sep 16
Guess they have nothing better to do with their time!!! But seriously, you are right wht is rioting going to accomplish?
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Sep 16
people are using stuff like this as an excuse to participate in anarchy and be loser criminals. No this isnt about protesting, if it was, there wouldnt be rioting, looting, and such
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11038)
• Hyderabad, India
22 Sep 16
We can not say anything unless we have reliable information of the event. Anyhow one thing is clear that the blacks are getting ill-treatment in U.S
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
24 Sep 16
@shivamani10
Excuse me? because they say they are getting ill-treatment for looting,stealing you support them? there are hard working black people and there are criminals,why would the criminals get a red carpet welcome when they come to shoot at a neighbour hood
1 person likes this
@wasteomind86 (76)
• Cebu, Philippines
24 Sep 16
whooaa.. yet another sad news. I hope we can find a way to avoid these tragedies.
1 person likes this
