Marqez Bimage

[primal defense]

I agree that Black Lives Matter, but in a larger context, who will disagree with me when I say that All Lives Matter?   Because I am not black, but a different race, does my life matter less?

I'm surprise by you Java. I thought you were more intelligent about these matters. Thing of it this way. Your using the term of Black Lives Matters by putting only in front of Black Lives Matters. They are not saying only Black Lives Matters. 
 
They are saying Black Live Matters too. If you want to use Black Live Matters the way is meant to is to add the too

 

[tejasrulz]

That tweet is damn near extortion (def: the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats). Before you accuse me of "white privilege" please note that I have more minority blood in me than Caucasian. 

Oh well, if they cancel football I get my season ticket money back.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

I'm surprise by you Java. I thought you were more intelligent about these matters. Thing of it this way. Your using the term of Black Lives Matters by putting only in front of Black Lives Matters. They are not saying only Black Lives Matters. 
 
They are saying Black Live Matters too. If you want to use Black Live Matters the way is meant to is to add the too

Not sure that anyone on here is in a position to question someone else's intelligence. I know I'm not.

 

[primal defense]

I truly think that much of this unrest is due to the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in-limited social interaction, curtailed activities, boredom due to COVID-19 restrictions. Boredom breeds discontent. 

Heck, I’m bored and restless. 

Our irresponsible media is fueling the controversy.

Yeah sure it's boredom. It may also have to do with a person who is no danger to anyone having a knee on neck for eight minutes and forty six seconds till he's dead might have something to do with this.

 

[Rotty22]

I don't have an issue with all but 2 of their demands as I understand it. The "Eyes of Texas" thing has me, for lack of a better term, freaked out. By saying they don't understand, I mean that they can't comprehend what was in the mind of the people or person who wrote and promoted "The Eyes Of Texas" 100 years ago. I'll ask the question again, were Earl and Vince upset or uneasy because they were required to sing the song? If not, what has changed since then? And why didn't they speak out? They were legends and respected among most Texas fans

Those are valid questions.  We may hear from them in the near future.

 

[Captain Hookem]

I don't have an issue with all but 2 of their demands as I understand it. The "Eyes of Texas" thing has me, for lack of a better term, freaked out. By saying they don't understand, I mean that they can't comprehend what was in the mind of the people or person who wrote and promoted "The Eyes Of Texas" 100 years ago. I'll ask the question again, were Earl and Vince upset or uneasy because they were required to sing the song? If not, what has changed since then? And why didn't they speak out? They were legends and respected among most Texas fans

Freaks me out a little as well.

For starters, if the current students vote I don't want a school song written by frickin Ed Sheeran.

But mainly some of these aren't things anyone was worried about until THEY WERE TOLD it's supposed to be racist and and now THEY MUST be offended. It's the difference between organic and manufactured angered. We are literally living in the Seinfeld episode where Kramer was told he must wear the ribbon. 

Some of these are understandable as celebrating people who are primarily known for racial activity should NOT be celebrated. Some are getting thrown under the bus just because they lived during tumultuous times. But was anyone upset by some of these things prior than two minutes ago?...No. We're in the process of just looking for things to be upset about. It's a mob mentality.

The thing that freaks me out is how far will it go? How much must be torn down before everyone is happy? The problem with mob mentality is that the answer is always 'not enough yet'. 

Manny Acho has a great video on uncomfortable racial conversations. Everyone should watch it if they haven't yet. He does a fantastic job of explaining the struggles he has had even as a successful black man. When I watched the video I knew he'd immediately left the world of sports commentary and become a legit social leader. 

We need to arrive at a place where we can have 2-way conversations. It's not about telling people how they should feel, but asking them if these are things that really fall into the realm of providing a feeling of continued racial oppression. There are things of real social value that just happened to exist in a time of racial tensions or customs/traditions that we now look down upon. These things have meaning to other people. Do their feelings not count anymore?

We can tear down all the statues and traditions in the country, but history will remain. History is sometimes ugly and cruel, but it's something we all share and live with to a certain degree.

 

[java]

Well said, Captain!

 

[hornsups]

I don't have an issue with all but 2 of their demands as I understand it. The "Eyes of Texas" thing has me, for lack of a better term, freaked out. By saying they don't understand, I mean that they can't comprehend what was in the mind of the people or person who wrote and promoted "The Eyes Of Texas" 100 years ago. I'll ask the question again, were Earl and Vince upset or uneasy because they were required to sing the song? If not, what has changed since then? And why didn't they speak out? They were legends and respected among most Texas fans

We don’t know if Earl & VY were upset or uneasy singing it. I ask if they were will that then mean it should be changed in your mind? If they came out now and said they hated singing it and want it change & then you say well doesn’t matter still doesn’t need to be changed. Sounds like you were trying to use them as a see this black player doesn’t mind argument. As for what has changed, since then.. I don’t know maybe read the news or watch the news. Times change. At one point in the military, gay & lesbian people didn’t speak out about don’t ask, don’t tell. Now that has changed. There was a time when women were assaulted & harassed at work & didn’t say anything. Should we call up those women & ask how they felt. If they didn’t have problems, does that mean assault today is ok? Man the fact that some people just think about themselves & their feelings when it’s in their face the injustices people are facing. It’s sad. 

 

[java]

Primal Defense, I can’t say I am offended. I know that I am intelligent.  I am somewhat disappointed in your approach. 

If they wanted to say Black Lives Matter, Too!, then that’s what they should have said. 

As a woman, I was discriminated against in the workplace twice. I realized that I could become bitter, cynical, and become like the people that I loathed, or that I could take the experience, learn from it, and use that energy to become a better person. 

I chose the latter, and do not regret it. 

 

[hornsups]

Primal Defense, I can’t say I am offended. I know that I am intelligent.  I am somewhat disappointed in your approach. 

If they wanted to say Black Lives Matter, Too!, then that’s what they should have said. 

As a woman, I was discriminated against in the workplace twice. I realized that I could become bitter, cynical, and become like the people that I loathed, or that I could take the experience, learn from it, and use that energy to become a better person. 

I chose the latter, and do not regret it. 

Lol people trip over themselves. They should have said Black Lives Matter Too? Yet the attack is always All Lives Matter which would imply that they are saying Only Black Lives Matter. You’re subscribing that to the movement when it was never said.  
 

I am truly sorry you were discriminated against twice in the work place. I’m black. I’ve been discriminated against more times than I can count. I have to worry about how I look at a person for fear they will look at me as a threat. I’ve been out on 6th St and had a white guy point at me and pretend to lynch himself. These players probably deal with racism as well on campus. We are witnessing black people killed constantly for being black. Sorry but what am I to learn & become a better person from? Is my degree from a great university not enough? What should the players & me learn & become better from when we see a black man killed? Or a black woman killed in her own home? Please do tell. I would like to know what WE need to learn.

 

[Baron]

We don’t know if Earl & VY were upset or uneasy singing it. I ask if they were will that then mean it should be changed in your mind? If they came out now and said they hated singing it and want it change & then you say well doesn’t matter still doesn’t need to be changed. Sounds like you were trying to use them as a see this black player doesn’t mind argument. As for what has changed, since then.. I don’t know maybe read the news or watch the news. Times change. At one point in the military, gay & lesbian people didn’t speak out about don’t ask, don’t tell. Now that has changed. There was a time when women were assaulted & harassed at work & didn’t say anything. Should we call up those women & ask how they felt. If they didn’t have problems, does that mean assault today is ok? Man the fact that some people just think about themselves & their feelings when it’s in their face the injustices people are facing. It’s sad. 

Here are some responses

I would say that if Earl and/or Vince came out now and said they hated singing the song their motive would be suspect, for the simple reason of why didn't they speak up earlier. Most of the players, past and present, probably didn't have a clue about the origin of the melody until someone told them and only then did it become offensive. 

As for your snarky comment about watching the news, I wish I didn't. Maybe my blood pressure would go down. I've been around a while so the history thing I've got in my back pocket. The military did not fundamentally change to allow freedom to gays and lesbians. A simple rule was changed. The "Eyes" is not a simple rule.

It's not just about me. I'm not the only one worried about the "Eyes of Texas".

Ya'll have everybody's attention. Don't browbeat us. It's counter productive.

I wish I was as eloquent as Java, but that's not my nature. So you'll just have to live with my bluntness.

 

[Captain Hookem]

Lol people trip over themselves. They should have said Black Lives Matter Too? Yet the attack is always All Lives Matter which would imply that they are saying Only Black Lives Matter. You’re subscribing that to the movement when it was never said.  
 

I am truly sorry you were discriminated against twice in the work place. I’m black. I’ve been discriminated against more times than I can count. I have to worry about how I look at a person for fear they will look at me as a threat. I’ve been out on 6th St and had a white guy point at me and pretend to lynch himself. These players probably deal with racism as well on campus. We are witnessing black people killed constantly for being black. Sorry but what am I to learn & become a better person from? Is my degree from a great university not enough? What should the players & me learn & become better from when we see a black man killed? Or a black woman killed in her own home? Please do tell. I would like to know what WE need to learn.

At some point it becomes a battle over symbols, which is an unnecessary struggle. Simply acknowledging Black Lives Matter, without the reductive approach of 'All Lives Matter', doesn't mean one is ignoring the rest of the world population. As a movement it symbolizes certain things that need to be understood and addressed. Trying to attack it somehow is a divisive approach which isn't helpful. 

Likewise, I never felt the American flag was something that needed to be pulled into this battle. I understand why it happened, but if the overall goal was to bring awareness and cause change then other approaches would've worked better. NFL players have amazing power in society to get awareness to anything - they could have formed marches, or summits, or commercials. Doing that without attacking a symbol that means so much to other people would've created a consensus without the division. 

Btw, these are basic principles from How to Win Friends and Influence People. I'm not plowing new ground here. Other groups already have their areas. 

I support Black Lives Matter

I also Back the Blue

I salute and respect the American flag

For some reason right now a situation has been created where in public you can only pick one of the three... it blows people's minds otherwise. Just that alone makes it so incredibly difficult to find common ground to move forward. 

We have to get past that. I don't know to get there from here, but it partly involves the letting the intense emotion out there right now to subside. 

 

[hornsups]

Here are some responses

I would say that if Earl and/or Vince came out now and said they hated singing the song their motive would be suspect, for the simple reason of why didn't they speak up earlier. Most of the players, past and present, probably didn't have a clue about the origin of the melody until someone told them and only then did it become offensive. 

As for your snarky comment about watching the news, I wish I didn't. Maybe my blood pressure would go down. I've been around a while so the history thing I've got in my back pocket. The military did not fundamentally change to allow freedom to gays and lesbians. A simple rule was changed. The "Eyes" is not a simple rule.

It's not just about me. I'm not the only one worried about the "Eyes of Texas".

Ya'll have everybody's attention. Don't browbeat us. It's counter productive.

I wish I was as eloquent as Java, but that's not my nature. So you'll just have to live with my bluntness.

So you’re now saying them coming out against it would be suspect because they didn’t speak up at the time? Interesting. I mean if a woman didn’t come forward with a sexual assault claim at the time, should we just question her motives? The military and country have fundamentally changed on gay rights. The Eyes being changed would do what exactly?? Would it lessen the university in any meaningful way? You’re bluntness doesn’t affect me in anyway. I’m sure you’re not the only one worried about The Eyes but those players aren’t the only one me worried about things mentioned in the letter. And who is “y’all” that’s gotten your attention? 

 

[Baron]

So you’re now saying them coming out against it would be suspect because they didn’t speak up at the time? Interesting. I mean if a woman didn’t come forward with a sexual assault claim at the time, should we just question her motives? The military and country have fundamentally changed on gay rights. The Eyes being changed would do what exactly?? Would it lessen the university in any meaningful way? You’re bluntness doesn’t affect me in anyway. I’m sure you’re not the only one worried about The Eyes but those players aren’t the only one me worried about things mentioned in the letter. And who is “y’all” that’s gotten your attention? 

Here we go. By saying ya'll I meant everyone who is protesting. No nefarious intent in my meaning, but you are willing to put it there. That is a problem.

 

[hornsups]

Here we go. By saying ya'll I meant everyone who is protesting. No nefarious intent in my meaning, but you are willing to put it there. That is a problem.

Yeah but I’m not protesting so why would you say y’all?? That’s what I was wanting to know. The fact that you took it as nefarious or underhanded is on you. I don’t lump people into groups. So who’s putting intent on someone’s words?? Sounds like you are the one who put intent on my words. That’s the problem. 

 

[Baron]

Yeah but I’m not protesting so why would you say y’all?? That’s what I was wanting to know. The fact that you took it as nefarious or underhanded is on you. I don’t lump people into groups. So who’s putting intent on someone’s words?? Sounds like you are the one who put intent on my words. That’s the problem. 

Really? Your not protesting? What are you doing with your keyboard? I'm out. I'm done with this nonsense.

 

[MikeV73]

Well said, Java! Hook'em!

I'm going fishing till everyone settles down. 

Ok, look forward to seeing you in 2025!  Hope the lake doesn’t run out of fish.

 

[hornsups]

Really? Your not protesting? What are you doing with your keyboard? I'm out. I'm done with this nonsense.

Hahaha I’m speaking my mind. That’s what I call it. You’re calling it protesting because you think someone sharing their feelings on something you don’t like is protesting. That’s ok you. The only nonsense is the crap you’re speaking. Would say I hate to see ya go but, I don’t lie. 

 

[java]

hornsup, I am so very sorry that you or anyone else was now or ever treated that way. It is inexcusable. 

I detest:  racism;  violence; the persuasive who prey on the fears of others to create violence; irrational arguments presented as logic, much like a sales tool.

I watched the George Floyd video multiple times, and I could never see what happened, but I could hear him say I can’t breathe.  That it went on for 9 minutes is unbelievable.

I thought a chokehold was done with the arm, but clearly I am wrong because this officer was kneeling on his neck.  
 

Since Mr. Floyd’s death, others have died during riots, a woman in Dallas was shot and killed getting out of her car in her driveway.  I fail to see how any of this is justified or makes anything better.  
 

The insanity continues:  Congress now sees a need to legislate local police departments.  What about the ones doing good jobs with good community relations?

Minneapolis is considering community based policing.  So, no one would be in charge or accountable?  Really.  When that’s a disaster, do the feds take over?  Great.  The Postal Service is policing Minneapolis.

If you care how I feel about racism, I will tell you two things.  As many of you know, I teach in a smaller East Texas community  .Every year someone in each class must show someone else how tough they are by making a racist comment.  The first time someone does it, if rather mild, I call the parents, and ask for the student to apologize in class the next day  That is the only warning the class gets  

From that point on, anyone who makes a comment that is racist or sexist, is written up and sent to the AP’s office  I consider it bullying  I have a 2 page essay about racism that they can copy in their handwriting in after school detention on racism and civil rights.  
 

If they are an athlete, I volunteer to call coach for them  It is a strong deterrent.

 

[hornsups]

hornsup, I am so very sorry that you or anyone else was now or ever treated that way. It is inexcusable. 

I detest:  racism;  violence; the persuasive who prey on the fears of others to create violence; irrational arguments presented as logic, much like a sales tool.

I watched the George Floyd video multiple times, and I could never see what happened, but I could hear him say I can’t breathe.  That it went on for 9 minutes is unbelievable.

I thought a chokehold was done with the arm, but clearly I am wrong because this officer was kneeling on his neck.  
 

Since Mr. Floyd’s death, others have died during riots, a woman in Dallas was shot and killed getting out of her car in her driveway.  I fail to see how any of this is justified or makes anything better.  
 

The insanity continues:  Congress now sees a need to legislate local police departments.  What about the ones doing good jobs with good community relations?

Minneapolis is considering community based policing.  So, no one would be in charge or accountable?  Really.  When that’s a disaster, do the feds take over?  Great.  The Postal Service is policing Minneapolis.

If you care how I feel about racism, I will tell you two things.  As many of you know, I teach in a smaller East Texas community  .Every year someone in each class must show someone else how tough they are by making a racist comment.  The first time someone does it, if rather mild, I call the parents, and ask for the student to apologize in class the next day  That is the only warning the class gets  

From that point on, anyone who makes a comment that is racist or sexist, is written up and sent to the AP’s office  I consider it bullying  I have a 2 page essay about racism that they can copy in their handwriting in after school detention on racism and civil rights.  
 

If they are an athlete, I volunteer to call coach for them  It is a strong deterrent.

I appreciate your feelings. As far as the legislating the police. It’s needed in a way. Why do we need cops using chokeholds? Why not have mental health professionals tag along when officers are answering calls dealing with mentally ill people? Looking at all the things cops have at their disposal, why do they need military weaponry? You’re a teacher, I believe some of those  funds spent on unnecessary weapons needs to be reallocated to teachers, after school programs, community outreach, etc. And police need to be trained on deescalation more. Maybe some work on implicit bias that seems to be running through departments. We can’t see what happened in Minneapolis & all around the country and just think policing as it current can work. Because if nothing changes, we know we will be right back here in a month or so when the police kill another person.