By Tim Baldwin
America recognizes the right of redress – including revolution. But it also requires stability and security. These competing interests are seemingly irreconcilable. History tells the story. That story is alive now in Baltimore.
Many of the conservatives who praise the Second Amendment and use the Boston Tea Party as a symbol of liberty criticize the Baltimore protestors. They downplay black Americans’ plight. To them, government oppression targets only Christians and white conservatives. Only they have a righteous cause to resist oppression. Everyone else is “thugs.” Wrong!
Then there are grand-conspiracy types that condemn the police action used to control the protests. “It’s martial law!” they proclaim. So, where are the Oath Keepers, for example, to oppose this “martial law?” It seems Oath Keepers will provide no aid to this mostly-black citizenry, even though Oath Keepers quickly surrounded the Bundy Ranch in Nevada one year ago to aid a man who questioned whether blacks were better off as slaves.
But actions speak louder than words: black Americans possess more courage to oppose government oppression than white conservatives who use the word “tyranny” as much as a chef uses salt for an ingredient.
Conservatives, if you believe in opposing tyranny, then shed your prejudice and disparagement of black America and take action to correct a system used against them. Otherwise, your liberty rhetoric rings hollow to more discerning minds.
By Joe Carbonari
Why the riots in Baltimore? I think it is frustration. Frustration in our country, in general, but most intensely in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Job prospects aren’t good, 21 percent unemployment for those in Baltimore’s “hood.” The crime rate is about four times the national average, and about 80 percent of their eighth-graders are testing as less-than-proficient in math. Bad luck, race, and “the system” all play a part.
For residents, there is insecurity, both physical and economic. Lawful prospects do not look good. Many feel trapped in place. They need to change their environment. They need to straighten out their surroundings or to get out themselves. Mentors can help by example. Ennui has to be overcome and confidence instilled. The community has a self-protecting, decency advancing, role to play.
Extended families are not the norm in this Baltimore neighborhood, as almost two-thirds of households are single parent. While it is surely our right and responsibility to raise our own children, as we feel best, some healthy community involvement helps. One way to help is to recognize and assist good work. Let’s celebrate excellence and call out bad behavior for what it is.
If police mistreat the people in a neighborhood, they make their own jobs more difficult, and their own danger greater. Free societies require voluntary cooperation. Keep order with respect. We are our neighbor’s keeper.