Sometimes here at Brandy de la casa I tend to get a little serious when I dig out the soapbox and speak my mind. It's not the norm because this isn't a political blog or a space just to rant, but since it is MY place it tends to happen from time to time.
I can be a
little opinionated.
And by "little" I really mean a lot.
The story about the Harvard professor is old news. Or so you would think, but I keep hearing about it & frankly I find it completely ridiculous that anyone, especially the President is wasting his time on this.
Newly released audio tapes show that the neighbor who called 911 never said "black men" as previously reported, which is good for her since I've read that she has received a lot of flack for supposedly saying that.
This morning Jessie Jackson was on the CBS Early Morning show to discuss this event and the new information. He must have said "racially motivated" 3 or 4 times. His interview was right after they played the audio of the 911 call so I have to ask...
What about that call was racially motivated?
Nothing.
Not one thing in that call indicated what race the possible burglar was, so one could access that there was no way for the police officer to know before arriving on the scene. And yet with this factual knowledge Mr. Jackson still referred to the incident as "racially motivated".
Why do people like this add fuel to the fire? Oh yes, it's because it gets them on TV.
It sickens me that the media allow people like this to be an "expert" on a situation that he has no first hand knowledge of. He's no more an expert than I am on the subject. Neither of us were there and the opinions that we have formed are just that - opinions.
Here's my opinion based on the information that I have received:
The neighbor was concerned about a possible break in. So many people "turn the other cheek" these days, I would have been grateful that my neighbor was thoughtful enough to call the police.
The policeman involved was doing his job. He didn't know the professor from Adam and was required to ask for identification. He was obligated to clarify the situation and it was the professor that said the "racially motivated" statements.
It was the professor that overreacted & was subsequently arrested for his behavior. Later the charges were dropped so there is no pending litigation against the professor or the policeman, and yet he could not let it go.
The whole thing is so blown out of proportion that even the President has involved himself. As if he doesn't have more important things to worry about, he is going to meet with the professor & officer to "have a beer" on Thursday.
Give me a break!
How many veterans has the President invited to the White House for a beer? How many sit downs has he had with people that are facing foreclosure?
None that I know of.
Now don't misunderstand me. I'm not so ignorant that I believe that people don't discriminate because of race. They do. Just as people judge others because of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and pretty much any reason that makes one different.
It's unfortunate & sad but it happens.
It just didn't happen in Connecticut, at that house, on that day.