Black Lives Matter meets Black Friday (1 Viewer)

[Chadstroma]

Lot's of protests in Chicago. They targeted the Mag Mile (for people not familiar with Chicago that is a major shopping area in downtown Chicago) causing general problems for people and even blocking the entrance to some stores.

My question is solely based on one thing: Is this an effective strategy?

Traffic in the area was lighter than past years and I have heard many comments about people avoiding the area because of the likelihood of protests. My wife works downtown and was stuck in her work location for a while as police tried to corral the protestors away. I have not heard any positive comments regarding it. The range of response is either fairly neutral to anger. Does protesting like this help to win people over to your side? What is the goal here? What is the positive out of this? Are the police going to change attitudes because of this? Are fellow citizens going to join the ranks? I just don't see how this helps their cause.

 

[Da Guru]

Chadstroma, on 28 Nov 2015 - 11:29 AM, said:Lot's of protests in Chicago. They targeted the Mag Mile (for people not familiar with Chicago that is a major shopping area in downtown Chicago) causing general problems for people and even blocking the entrance to some stores.

My question is solely based on one thing: Is this an effective strategy?

Traffic in the area was lighter than past years and I have heard many comments about people avoiding the area because of the likelihood of protests. My wife works downtown and was stuck in her work location for a while as police tried to corral the protestors away. I have not heard any positive comments regarding it. The range of response is either fairly neutral to anger. Does protesting like this help to win people over to your side? What is the goal here? What is the positive out of this? Are the police going to change attitudes because of this? Are fellow citizens going to join the ranks? I just don't see how this helps their cause.

1. No

2. Who knows?

3. Nothing

4. No

5. Doubt it

6. It doesn't

 

[EYLive]

Easy looting opportunities.

 

[Chadstroma]

Easy looting opportunities.

Not in Chicago.

The most destructive stuff I have seen was attacking some Christmas decorations (which prompted even my very liberal sociology Prof family member to get mad).

Sure, it is a hella lot better than burning things down and looting but I still don't see how any of this helps further their cause.

 

[bud29]

Chadstroma, on 28 Nov 2015 - 11:29 AM, said:Lot's of protests in Chicago. They targeted the Mag Mile (for people not familiar with Chicago that is a major shopping area in downtown Chicago) causing general problems for people and even blocking the entrance to some stores.

My question is solely based on one thing: Is this an effective strategy?

Traffic in the area was lighter than past years and I have heard many comments about people avoiding the area because of the likelihood of protests. My wife works downtown and was stuck in her work location for a while as police tried to corral the protestors away. I have not heard any positive comments regarding it. The range of response is either fairly neutral to anger. Does protesting like this help to win people over to your side? What is the goal here? What is the positive out of this? Are the police going to change attitudes because of this? Are fellow citizens going to join the ranks? I just don't see how this helps their cause.

1. No

2. Who knows?

3. Nothing

4. No

5. Doubt it

6. It doesn't

 

[Parrothead]

Now imagine the Friday was white

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Chadstroma, on 28 Nov 2015 - 11:29 AM, said:

Lot's of protests in Chicago. They targeted the Mag Mile (for people not familiar with Chicago that is a major shopping area in downtown Chicago) causing general problems for people and even blocking the entrance to some stores.

My question is solely based on one thing: Is this an effective strategy?

Traffic in the area was lighter than past years and I have heard many comments about people avoiding the area because of the likelihood of protests. My wife works downtown and was stuck in her work location for a while as police tried to corral the protestors away. I have not heard any positive comments regarding it. The range of response is either fairly neutral to anger. Does protesting like this help to win people over to your side? What is the goal here? What is the positive out of this? Are the police going to change attitudes because of this? Are fellow citizens going to join the ranks? I just don't see how this helps their cause.

1. No

2. Who knows?

3. Nothing

4. No

5. Doubt it

6. It doesn't

 

[Courtjester]

There is very little support for them anyway, so what do they have to lose?

The image of them tearing down the park Christmas tree decorations was just appalling. Yeah, the 8 year old who was there for tree lighting really understands your cause--idiots...

 

[Osaurus]

What are they doing today for Small Business Saturday?

 

[urbanhack]

There is very little support for them anyway, so what do they have to lose?

The image of them tearing down the park Christmas tree decorations was just appalling. Yeah, the 8 year old who was there for tree lighting really understands your cause--idiots...

Then again, there were interviews of parents from out of town explaining to their kids what was happening and why. Lot's of people stuck in traffic didn't mind and supported the cause. Sure there were a few idiots, but it sent a message for this particular incident which needs more attention.

 

[Courtjester]

There is very little support for them anyway, so what do they have to lose?

The image of them tearing down the park Christmas tree decorations was just appalling. Yeah, the 8 year old who was there for tree lighting really understands your cause--idiots...

Then again, there were interviews of parents from out of town explaining to their kids what was happening and why. Lot's of people stuck in traffic didn't mind and supported the cause. Sure there were a few idiots, but it sent a message for this particular incident which needs more attention.

No offense, but I don't buy for a second that people stuck in traffic didn't mind. Sure there may have been one or two select media interviews to fit the MSM message, but the majority of people in this world don't like to be delayed unnecessarily in traffic ever let alone be delayed on Black Friday on the way to get that 9.99 pair of boots they "just have to have" BLM needs a publicity manager in the biggest way.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

There is very little support for them anyway, so what do they have to lose?

The image of them tearing down the park Christmas tree decorations was just appalling. Yeah, the 8 year old who was there for tree lighting really understands your cause--idiots...

Very little support?

 

[cubd8]

Lot's of protests in Chicago. They targeted the Mag Mile (for people not familiar with Chicago that is a major shopping area in downtown Chicago) causing general problems for people and even blocking the entrance to some stores.

My question is solely based on one thing: Is this an effective strategy?

Traffic in the area was lighter than past years and I have heard many comments about people avoiding the area because of the likelihood of protests. My wife works downtown and was stuck in her work location for a while as police tried to corral the protestors away. I have not heard any positive comments regarding it. The range of response is either fairly neutral to anger. Does protesting like this help to win people over to your side? What is the goal here? What is the positive out of this? Are the police going to change attitudes because of this? Are fellow citizens going to join the ranks? I just don't see how this helps their cause.

I think most people do not want to be inconvenienced by a protest, especially after working all day.

I think most people view Black Lives Matter as a complete joke as well.

Add the two together and it's nothing more than a disturbance for most people who don't want to deal with a fringe group.

 

[Meatwad Reloaded]

I like this strategy and I think it served them well since there was no looting. The reason I like it is because I think Black Friday is even more idiotic than Black Lives Matter. They should do it every Saturday from now until Christmas.

Let's face it, we are now living in a world where most people care more about saving 25% on a bunch of crap that people do not need than they do about actual human beings who live in constant fear of their lives. Even though I wish that BLM would direct their energy and anger inwards towards the 'leaders' of their communities, I do not feel it is that bad to target mindless twits who, through sheer circumstance, have never had to deal with the concept of having friends and relatives killed and maimed on a regular basis.

 

[urbanhack]

There is very little support for them anyway, so what do they have to lose?

The image of them tearing down the park Christmas tree decorations was just appalling. Yeah, the 8 year old who was there for tree lighting really understands your cause--idiots...

Then again, there were interviews of parents from out of town explaining to their kids what was happening and why. Lot's of people stuck in traffic didn't mind and supported the cause. Sure there were a few idiots, but it sent a message for this particular incident which needs more attention.

No offense, but I don't buy for a second that people stuck in traffic didn't mind. Sure there may have been one or two select media interviews to fit the MSM message, but the majority of people in this world don't like to be delayed unnecessarily in traffic ever let alone be delayed on Black Friday on the way to get that 9.99 pair of boots they "just have to have"BLM needs a publicity manager in the biggest way.

Yes, there were a few little white girls from the suburbs crying because they couldn't get into Timberland and American Girl. They'll have to deal with it. MSM?? This was all local news and there several interviews of of non participants walking and driving that supported the cause.

This was above and beyond the BLM movement. It was organic and local and it was all about the mis management and handling of this one case.

Keep on speculating without really knowing any of the facts.

 

[DallasDMac]

I do not feel it is that bad to target mindless twits who, through sheer circumstance, have never had to deal with the concept of having friends and relatives killed and maimed on a regular basis.

So anyone who isn't in a position where shootings and violence are a common occurrence in their lives are now mindless twits? Seriously?

 

[Meatwad Reloaded]

Maybe this is a step in the right direction for BLM. If all they did was tear down the Christmas tree then that is progress. All they have to do is follow the Dr. King blueprint and they will start to make progress. They also need to find real leaders and denounce the frauds who have been marginalizing them for decades. In my work, I see many black families...the majority of them are stand up, salt of the earth people who want no part of living in violence.

The problem though is that we should not be demonizing the cops. The cops are a small function of what is going on and the vast majority of them are as good as good can be. It is truly the hardest job out there, and as such, can break a person. What really needs to happen is that they need to take a look at all the 'gold coasters' like Jackson, Obama, Rahm, and their odious ilk and set their sights to destroy them. Only then will they see the progress that they crave.

 

[Meatwad Reloaded]

I do not feel it is that bad to target mindless twits who, through sheer circumstance, have never had to deal with the concept of having friends and relatives killed and maimed on a regular basis.

So anyone who isn't in a position where shootings and violence are a common occurrence in their lives are now mindless twits? Seriously?

If you can't relate to another brother's point of view...yeah.

Sorry.

 

[urbanhack]

Maybe this is a step in the right direction for BLM.

This wasn't about BLM. This was local and very specific to this shooting as I mentioned before.

 

[Ditka Butkus]

Troublemakers, Attention Whores, Opprotunists....

 

[urbanhack]

Troublemakers, Attention Whores, Opprotunists....

I'm really surprised you feel this way.

 

[DallasDMac]

I do not feel it is that bad to target mindless twits who, through sheer circumstance, have never had to deal with the concept of having friends and relatives killed and maimed on a regular basis.

So anyone who isn't in a position where shootings and violence are a common occurrence in their lives are now mindless twits? Seriously?

If you can't relate to another brother's point of view...yeah.

Sorry.

So shopping = can't relate? Wow, your leaps of logic are fairly astounding.

 

[Ditka Butkus]

Troublemakers, Attention Whores, Opprotunists....

I'm really surprised you feel this way.

Whatw ould you call them. How is disrupting the economy of Chicago helpful?

 

[urbanhack]

Troublemakers, Attention Whores, Opprotunists....

I'm really surprised you feel this way.

Whatw ould you call them. How is disrupting the economy of Chicago helpful?

You condemned the cop in the other thread, no?

If not this, then this totally gets swept under the rug like everything else.

 

[Meatwad Reloaded]

Maybe this is a step in the right direction for BLM.

This wasn't about BLM. This was local and very specific to this shooting as I mentioned before.

Sure thing brother....I don't understand wtf you are even talking about; especially considering that LaQuan's name is on the front page of their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterchi/

 

[Meatwad Reloaded]

Troublemakers, Attention Whores, Opprotunists....

I'm really surprised you feel this way.

Whatw ould you call them. How is disrupting the economy of Chicago helpful?

The only thing they are disrupting is bull****. The sooner our economy gets away from buying stupid crap for no reason, the better.

 

[urbanhack]

Maybe this is a step in the right direction for BLM.

This wasn't about BLM. This was local and very specific to this shooting as I mentioned before.

Sure thing brother....I don't understand wtf you are even talking about; especially considering that LaQuan's name is on the front page of their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterchi/

Well that settles it.

 

[proninja]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

 

[cubd8]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

 

[proninja]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

Here is a place to start reading:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/01/black-americans-killed-by-police-analysis

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/01/us-police-killings-this-year-black-americans- " When adjusted to accurately reflect the US population, the totals indicate that black people are being killed by police at more than twice the rate of white and Hispanic or Latino people. Black people killed by police were also significantly more likely to have been unarmed."

 

[Meatwad Reloaded]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

Here is a place to start reading:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/01/black-americans-killed-by-police-analysis

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/01/us-police-killings-this-year-black-americans- " When adjusted to accurately reflect the US population, the totals indicate that black people are being killed by police at more than twice the rate of white and Hispanic or Latino people. Black people killed by police were also significantly more likely to have been unarmed."

To be fair....the areas these police patrol are a little different in terms of level of hostility towards cops. Also...citing Motherjones and Guardian are sort of the same thing as citing Breitbart or WND to make conservative points. You can't get anywhere with that.

I think BLM would be doing itself a service if they used their political capital to make a shift and actually shine a light on the life-cycle of the average innercity black person instead of attacking the cops. Something is wrong in black America and they need everyone's help. It is beyond stupid to pin the blame of their problems on a few cops who lost their **** and killed a person who was most likely in some form of attack mode, no matter how dubious.

Shine a light on gentrification, discriminatory hiring and housing patterns, a lack of access to good education, mental health issues, glorification and profit off of misogyny and violence by major media companies, and a general blase attitude by most people in our society who could give two rips.

I hate the fact that cops are taking the brunt of this because the majority of all cops are actually people who just want to uphold the law.

 

[netnalp]

I think the purpose is to grab headlines and be mentioned in the news in the hope that the politicians take some action.

 

[matuski]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

Wouldn't it help this situation if our government kept track of such data? Accurate information would be a nice starting point for a discussion.

They can tell us pretty much everything about our population, demographics, how many times we go to the movies, how many flu shots we get, and every crime statistic under the sun.... except for our police. Seems fishy doesn't it?

So that is where I would start.. tell us what is happening. Trust would be easy to gain with accurate data, at worst it would be easier to fix.

 

[Hoss Style]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

I like this line of thinking more than most, but these aphorisms and expressions are usually off kilter a bit. I understand the underlying meaning they are trying to get at, but blaming someone who doesn't want to get involved for whatever reason (family, disinterest, cowardice, etc) as much as the person actually committing the crime is ridiculous.

Sure, we need to help our fellow man more than most of us do. I just don't like when groups try to guilt others into doing it. "If you don't help us, you're just as guilty as the guy that shot this man!" No. No, I'm not. I carry a guilt of sorts by being passive, but not as much as the nut-job that actually went out and shot someone.

As to the main post about the protests - I love them. Peaceful movements are effective, but take time. They won't grab the headlines like a violent protest will (the media loves the chaos), but if persistent, and for a true cause, a peaceful movement will slowly grow over time if enough people feel the same way.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Troublemakers, Attention Whores, Opprotunists....

I'm really surprised you feel this way.

Whatw ould you call them. How is disrupting the economy of Chicago helpful?

You condemned the cop in the other thread, no?

If not this, then this totally gets swept under the rug like everything else.

You mean like all black on black crime, right?

If they TRULY were passionate about BLM, they would be protesting every single day in the hoods.

Until then, they're all hypocrites. I don't give them any credence,

 

[Mr.Pack]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

Here is a place to start reading:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/01/black-americans-killed-by-police-analysis

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/01/us-police-killings-this-year-black-americans- " When adjusted to accurately reflect the US population, the totals indicate that black people are being killed by police at more than twice the rate of white and Hispanic or Latino people. Black people killed by police were also significantly more likely to have been unarmed."

How about starting here

Oh wait, sweep this under the rug

 

[cstu]

I like this strategy and I think it served them well since there was no looting. The reason I like it is because I think Black Friday is even more idiotic than Black Lives Matter. They should do it every Saturday from now until Christmas.

Let's face it, we are now living in a world where most people care more about saving 25% on a bunch of crap that people do not need than they do about actual human beings who live in constant fear of their lives. Even though I wish that BLM would direct their energy and anger inwards towards the 'leaders' of their communities, I do not feel it is that bad to target mindless twits who, through sheer circumstance, have never had to deal with the concept of having friends and relatives killed and maimed on a regular basis.

"I'm in constant fear of my life so I'm going to go and make more people want to kill me!!"

 

[proninja]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

Here is a place to start reading:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/01/black-americans-killed-by-police-analysis

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/01/us-police-killings-this-year-black-americans- " When adjusted to accurately reflect the US population, the totals indicate that black people are being killed by police at more than twice the rate of white and Hispanic or Latino people. Black people killed by police were also significantly more likely to have been unarmed."

How about starting hereOh wait, sweep this under the rug

I think you may have missed that I was talking about police, not general population crime. I do have some thoughts on what you posted, but I'd rather not let you distract from the problem of cops killing black people by changing the subject.

 

[Mr.Pack]

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it" -MLK

I don't understand people who are more upset that some random holiday festivities were interrupted than the fact that black Americans are getting murdered regularly by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Regularly? Is that accurate? I'd be interested in reading more about how frequent these shootings are, and how they compare over time.

Here is a place to start reading:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/01/black-americans-killed-by-police-analysis

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/01/us-police-killings-this-year-black-americans- " When adjusted to accurately reflect the US population, the totals indicate that black people are being killed by police at more than twice the rate of white and Hispanic or Latino people. Black people killed by police were also significantly more likely to have been unarmed."

How about starting hereOh wait, sweep this under the rug

I think you may have missed that I was talking about police, not general population crime. I do have some thoughts on what you posted, but I'd rather not let you distract from the problem of cops killing black people by changing the subject.

The subject at hand was Black Lives Matter. The people protesting are only doing it for attention and as a feel good mechanism. If they really cared about Black Lives they would be protesting ALL black murders.

But by all means keep deflecting from the real problem.

 

[otello]

Many other places to shop besides mag mile and state street. Trib is calling for an Independent counsel to answer the many questions this shooting raised. I hope they appoint one.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Black lives matter. Asian lives matter. White lives matter. etc. etc. etc.

What doesn't matter is the lives of hoodlums and criminals. The people protesting should have a new slogan "save our criminals so they can rob us later"

 

[Clifford]

There is very little support for them anyway, so what do they have to lose?

The image of them tearing down the park Christmas tree decorations was just appalling. Yeah, the 8 year old who was there for tree lighting really understands your cause--idiots...

Then again, there were interviews of parents from out of town explaining to their kids what was happening and why. Lot's of people stuck in traffic didn't mind and supported the cause. Sure there were a few idiots, but it sent a message for this particular incident which needs more attention.

No offense, but I don't buy for a second that people stuck in traffic didn't mind. Sure there may have been one or two select media interviews to fit the MSM message, but the majority of people in this world don't like to be delayed unnecessarily in traffic ever let alone be delayed on Black Friday on the way to get that 9.99 pair of boots they "just have to have"BLM needs a publicity manager in the biggest way.

There's a girl that works with them that seemed very intelligent and also seemed to get that just disrupting for the sake of publicity was not the way to go. They should give the job to her. She was quoted in the marathon thread.

 

[Widbil83]

The morons are trying to shut down the Loop and demanding Rahm resign.