thestream--2020-06-05--May Jobs Report: 2.5 Million Jobs Gained, Unemployment Falls to 13.3%

The U.S. economy gained 2.5 million jobs in May , while the unemployment declined to 13.3 % , according to Department of Labor data released Friday .
Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report , and the number of unemployed persons fell by 2.1 million to 21.0 million .
The new numbers indicate that the economy is recovering from the coronavirus shutdowns at faster rates than economists predicted .
“ The U.S. economy is more resilient than expected , ” chief strategist at Principal Global Investors Seema Shah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate declined by 1.4 percentage points to 13.3 % from April ’ s 14.7 % , which was the largest over-the-month increase and highest unemployment rate since at least 1948 .
“ Barring a second surge of COVID-19 , the overall U.S. economy may have turned a corner , as evidenced by the surprise job gains today , even though it still remains to be seen exactly what the new normal will look like , ” said Tony Bedikian , head of global markets at Citizens Bank , to CNBC .
Economists predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that almost one in five Americans were without a job during the month of May .
“ The forthcoming May jobs report will amount to a shocking sequel to the April horror story , ” said senior economic analyst for Bankrate Mark Hamrick , according to the publication .
“ It is likely to add further economic insult to the injury already established with the jobless rate … Millions more are expected to fall off of payrolls.
” Alfredo Ortiz , President and CEO of Job Creators Network ( JCNF ) , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement that “ the time has come to ‘ Flatten the Fear ’ when it comes to COVID-19.
” JCNF launched a campaign Friday amplifying physicians who warn of the negative health consequences of the extended lockdowns as well as the importance of returning to jobs .
“ We don ’ t have any time to waste , ” Ortiz said .
“ The purpose of our campaign is to reduce fear through education — basic facts about Covid-19 — and we are putting a microphone in front of doctors who know more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Many Americans missed out on routine preventative care while hospitals were reserved for patients of the coronavirus , according to Ortiz .
“ The mental health effects of the lockdown have been equally devastating — measured by a 33 % increase in anti-anxiety drug prescriptions , a 75 % increase in hard liquor sales , and a 338 % increase in calls to the national Disaster Distress Helpline , ” Ortiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their campaign consists of a billboard that the organization placed in Times Square , at Broadway and 43rd Street , encouraging Americans to return to work .
“ We can isolate the few and protect the many instead of isolating the many to protect the few , ” Ortiz said .
“ If we don ’ t , sadly we will have more victims of COVID who never have the virus.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The U.S. economy gained 2.5 million jobs in May, while the unemployment declined to 13.3%, according to Department of Labor data released Friday.
Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, and the number of unemployed persons fell by 2.1 million to 21.0 million.
The new numbers indicate that the economy is recovering from the coronavirus shutdowns at faster rates than economists predicted.
“The U.S. economy is more resilient than expected,” chief strategist at Principal Global Investors Seema Shah told CNBC.
May’s unemployment rate declined by 1.4 percentage points to 13.3% from April’s 14.7%, which was the largest over-the-month increase and highest unemployment rate since at least 1948.
“Barring a second surge of COVID-19, the overall U.S. economy may have turned a corner, as evidenced by the surprise job gains today, even though it still remains to be seen exactly what the new normal will look like,” said Tony Bedikian, head of global markets at Citizens Bank, to CNBC.
Economists predicted to Politico that jobs numbers will show that almost one in five Americans were without a job during the month of May.
“The forthcoming May jobs report will amount to a shocking sequel to the April horror story,” said senior economic analyst for Bankrate Mark Hamrick, according to the publication. “It is likely to add further economic insult to the injury already established with the jobless rate … Millions more are expected to fall off of payrolls.”
Alfredo Ortiz, President and CEO of Job Creators Network (JCNF), told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement that “the time has come to ‘Flatten the Fear’ when it comes to COVID-19.” JCNF launched a campaign Friday amplifying physicians who warn of the negative health consequences of the extended lockdowns as well as the importance of returning to jobs.
“We don’t have any time to waste,” Ortiz said. “The purpose of our campaign is to reduce fear through education — basic facts about Covid-19 — and we are putting a microphone in front of doctors who know more about the disease than anyone else.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Many Americans missed out on routine preventative care while hospitals were reserved for patients of the coronavirus, according to Ortiz.
“The mental health effects of the lockdown have been equally devastating — measured by a 33% increase in anti-anxiety drug prescriptions, a 75% increase in hard liquor sales, and a 338% increase in calls to the national Disaster Distress Helpline,” Ortiz said.
JCNF’s first phase of their campaign consists of a billboard that the organization placed in Times Square, at Broadway and 43rd Street, encouraging Americans to return to work.
“We can isolate the few and protect the many instead of isolating the many to protect the few,” Ortiz said. “If we don’t, sadly we will have more victims of COVID who never have the virus.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-05--Parenting in Racially Charged Times

Parenting in Racially Charged Times

Ryan was 24 years old when it happened .
He ’ d just finished college on a basketball scholarship .
He was going on a first date , driving his mint condition Nissan 300ZX to pick up a young lady .
A couple of blocks from her apartment he saw blue and red lights flashing in his rear view mirror .
By the time he stopped the car , several police cars surrounded his .
He was instructed on a loudspeaker to drop his keys out of the window , get out , and walk backwards — hands raised — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out of his periphery , he saw police officers behind their doors , guns drawn .
He had no idea what he ’ d done to warrant being pushed to the ground and handcuffed .
From inside the police car , he watched as the police ripped the seats out of his car and piled his personal possessions on the ground .
After some time , a police officer came to talk to him .
The car had been reported stolen , he told Ryan .
When Ryan questioned who would ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer .
“ We ’ re going to run your plates and license and if everything comes back okay , you ’ ll be free to go.
” They let him go .
Now , with the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer , Ryan told The Stream that all of those traumatizing emotions came back .
“ When I watched the video of George Floyd , that made all of those things come back and resurface .
It really made me angry.
” Ryan is now 47 and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to have tough conversations with his kids , who are biracial .
Many of the conversations have been about how to carry themselves in public , how to respond to police and how they could be treated by people of a different ethnicity .
Discussions about Floyd ’ s death have been happening a lot over the last week .
He wants to make sure his kids are connected to what ’ s going on and know how they can be part of the change in the future .
“ I always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectful and they have good moral compass and they make great decisions , but they also need to understand what ’ s happening around them and not be blind to it .
We can ’ t just cover their eyes and hope for the best.
” ‘ I Want to Keep you Alive ’ Francine , an African-American , has two teenage sons .
Like Ryan , she has talked with her children about how to carry themselves if they are stopped by the police and how to handle themselves in public .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more from a standpoint of my Christian faith , that we treat everybody the way that we would like to be treated … you try to treat others with love and with kindness and respect.
” After the murder of Floyd , Francine told The Stream that the conversations have definitely changed .
She told her younger son , “ This is why I don ’ t allow you to go out late .
… [ I ] t ’ s why I don ’ t allow you to walk the neighborhood a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not because I want to keep you in the house all the time .
It ’ s because I want to keep you alive.
” At the end of the day , “ the goal was always to come home alive .
I never thought I would have to have that conversation with my kids , but that ’ s the reality that we are living in.
” Reggie is African-American and his wife , Mackenzie , is white .
They have two biracial boys and two adopted African-American girls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to watch the news .
It ’ s not that they want them to grow up naive , Reggie told The Stream .
“ They ’ re still at a tender age where they don ’ t need to carry the burden of what us adults are having to walk through.
” Reggie and Mackenzie talk to the boys — the girls are still toddlers — to make sure they have some information but won ’ t go to bed with fear .
“ We don ’ t ever twist it , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he explained .
“ But we give them just enough for them to feel satisfied that they have something without walking in fear.
” The death of Floyd has impacted people of all colors .
John ’ s 17-year-old daughter wants to save the world , he told The Stream .
“ She takes everything to heart .
So , she ’ s seeing all of the headlines .
She ’ s watching all of her friends talk about Black Lives Matter and the protests.
” They ’ re telling her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re part of the problem.
” John said she ’ s really struggling with that .
She told her dad “ I don ’ t want to be silent because I don ’ t want to be part of the problem , ” but he said she ’ s really being bullied into speaking out on something that she doesn ’ t feel comfortable speaking out about now .
“ She really [ is ] just beside herself , I mean , in tears , in tears.
” Interestingly , the badgering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her color guard team .
Her African-American friends have been supportive .
“ Two of her very dearest friends happen to be African-American , ” John said .
“ And I think she handled it very , very well with them .
She just texted them both and said , ‘ Guys , I just want you to know I love you , you ’ re my friends .
I don ’ t understand what ’ s going on here .
If there ’ s something you want to tell me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do better , please let me know.
’ And they both reaffirmed her quite well , which was great.
” All of the parents agree that it ’ s difficult parenting their children through these racially charged times .
Violence isn ’ t the answer , they say .
“ I guess I still go back to the non-aggression principle , ” said John .
“ I believe the Christian response has to be much higher than that.
” He added : Francine said she ’ s trying to step away from some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports the protests , she doesn ’ t agree with the violence or destruction of personal property .
“ I ’ m very much of ‘ let ’ s think of a strategic way that we can start to affect change.
’ But I think that what you ’ re seeing in the looting and in the violence is just the anger boiling over .
I also think that , to a certain extent , some of it ’ s being … used as an excuse .
It has nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd.
” “ These people have a right to be angry , ” said Susan , mother of a biracial son .
“ But what they ’ re doing is wrong by destroying people ’ s businesses that didn ’ t do this to them .
… And I would love for [ my son ] to know that these people have a right to speak , but violence isn ’ t the answer .
Violence doesn ’ t help violence.
” So , what ’ s the answer ?
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have tough conversations .
“ I think before we can have the answers , the first step is dialogue .
We ’ ve got to … make sure that people are having the tough conversations , even when they ’ re uncomfortable and that … we ’ re sharing experiences that are actually happening.
” He says that if more people share their experiences it can make an impact and ignite empathy and compassion .
“ And if I can impact one person with my story and they can impact someone by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can affect change exponentially.
” “ I think law enforcement needs to be better educated , ” said Susan .
“ If they ’ re scared they don ’ t need to be police officers .
They need to find better ways of restraint.
” She added , “ I just think they need to be more educated and not just assume because someone is black that they ’ re out to do harm to someone else or they ’ re up to no good.
” Francine said , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … educating police officers about cultural competency , about personal bias.
” She also wants to provide mental health services to officers and hold accountable those who do wrong .
Parents should also teach their children that God created all colors of skin and that they ’ re all beautiful .
“ That ’ s how God created them , ” said Susan .
“ And they each symbolize part of God ’ s personality because our God isn ’ t just in a box that ’ s labeled ‘ white . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should know there are differences and we need to love the people the way God made them.
” Reggie has heard from several people that they “ don ’ t see color.
” He ’ s never been offended by that .
However , he wants to challenge people to see color , celebrate it and embrace it .
He encourages parents to teach their children , “ Hey , God created so many beautiful , different color people like that guy right there .
He ’ s brown .
That guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark brown .
He ’ s more of a black tone color .
That lady over there , she ’ s peach .
And over there , she ’ s a little yellowish and aren ’ t they beautiful ?
” and help our kids grow up with that mindset .
… And I ’ ll go as far as to quote one of my colleagues who said , ‘ Instead of us saying we ’ re color blind , why don ’ t we say we ’ re color rich ?
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other because if you see my color skin and you like me anyway and you love me anyway , now I know you love me for me.
” Part of the solution for Reggie is intentionally being relational with people who don ’ t look or sound the same .
People have been calling him and telling them they ’ re sorry he is dealing with this and experiencing the hurt .
They ask what they can do , how they can pray .
He says their reaching out to him has blessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also need to take action , not just say “ something needs to change.
” One of her church friends started a book study on a difficult topic , while another began a prayer group .
Her teacher colleagues have begun to bring books into their classrooms for students to read that show races of all kinds .
It ’ s a tough time .
“ It ’ s one of those spiritual things where you say , ‘ God , where are You ?
’ Even [ though ] you know He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But you wonder , ‘ Okay , what are You doing ?
What do You want to come out of this situation ?
’ So , for me , it ’ s very much pressing into my faith and saying , ‘ There has got to be some kind of good that is coming out of all these situations .
And if this is just a catalyst for change , then help us to hang on through this change . '
” “ I think we all have to accept that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus brings us home , ” said Reggie .
But like Apostle Paul , Christians still must finish the race .
“ We still have to fight the fight .
We still have to encourage people toward unity because it is the heart of God .
… But the only time there is no more sin is when we are in heaven , spending eternity with King Jesus .
That is when we ’ ll be perfection.
” John says that prayer is key and God is still in control .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have not done as good of a job is to say , ‘ Okay , let ’ s stop a moment and pray about this . '
” He says prayer is powerful , but it ’ s about God .
“ And He cares for us and He is still active today .
So , this may be bigger than us , but it ’ s nothing even remotely bigger than He is.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ryan was 24 years old when it happened. He’d just finished college on a basketball scholarship. He was going on a first date, driving his mint condition Nissan 300ZX to pick up a young lady. A couple of blocks from her apartment he saw blue and red lights flashing in his rear view mirror. By the time he stopped the car, several police cars surrounded his. He was instructed on a loudspeaker to drop his keys out of the window, get out, and walk backwards — hands raised — to the sound of the voice. Out of his periphery, he saw police officers behind their doors, guns drawn. He had no idea what he’d done to warrant being pushed to the ground and handcuffed.
From inside the police car, he watched as the police ripped the seats out of his car and piled his personal possessions on the ground. After some time, a police officer came to talk to him. The car had been reported stolen, he told Ryan. When Ryan questioned who would’ve reported it stolen, he got no answer. “We’re going to run your plates and license and if everything comes back okay, you’ll be free to go.”
They let him go.
Now, with the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, Ryan told The Stream that all of those traumatizing emotions came back. “When I watched the video of George Floyd, that made all of those things come back and resurface. It really made me angry.”
‘We Can’t Just Cover Their Eyes’
Ryan is now 47 and the father of three children. He has had to have tough conversations with his kids, who are biracial. Many of the conversations have been about how to carry themselves in public, how to respond to police and how they could be treated by people of a different ethnicity.
Discussions about Floyd’s death have been happening a lot over the last week. He wants to make sure his kids are connected to what’s going on and know how they can be part of the change in the future. “I always want to make sure my kids are respectful and they have good moral compass and they make great decisions, but they also need to understand what’s happening around them and not be blind to it. We can’t just cover their eyes and hope for the best.”
‘I Want to Keep you Alive’
Francine, an African-American, has two teenage sons. Like Ryan, she has talked with her children about how to carry themselves if they are stopped by the police and how to handle themselves in public. “I have always told them, more from a standpoint of my Christian faith, that we treat everybody the way that we would like to be treated … you try to treat others with love and with kindness and respect.”
After the murder of Floyd, Francine told The Stream that the conversations have definitely changed. She told her younger son, “This is why I don’t allow you to go out late. … [I]t’s why I don’t allow you to walk the neighborhood a lot of times after dark. It’s not because I want to keep you in the house all the time. It’s because I want to keep you alive.” At the end of the day, “the goal was always to come home alive. I never thought I would have to have that conversation with my kids, but that’s the reality that we are living in.”
Not Living in Fear
Reggie is African-American and his wife, Mackenzie, is white. They have two biracial boys and two adopted African-American girls. They don’t allow their children to watch the news. It’s not that they want them to grow up naive, Reggie told The Stream. “They’re still at a tender age where they don’t need to carry the burden of what us adults are having to walk through.” Reggie and Mackenzie talk to the boys — the girls are still toddlers — to make sure they have some information but won’t go to bed with fear. “We don’t ever twist it, we don’t ever lie to them,” he explained. “But we give them just enough for them to feel satisfied that they have something without walking in fear.”
People of All Colors
The death of Floyd has impacted people of all colors.
John’s 17-year-old daughter wants to save the world, he told The Stream. “She takes everything to heart. So, she’s seeing all of the headlines. She’s watching all of her friends talk about Black Lives Matter and the protests.” They’re telling her “If you stay silent, you’re part of the problem.” John said she’s really struggling with that. She told her dad “I don’t want to be silent because I don’t want to be part of the problem,” but he said she’s really being bullied into speaking out on something that she doesn’t feel comfortable speaking out about now. “She really [is] just beside herself, I mean, in tears, in tears.”
Interestingly, the badgering has been by white or Hispanic girls on her color guard team. Her African-American friends have been supportive. “Two of her very dearest friends happen to be African-American,” John said. “And I think she handled it very, very well with them. She just texted them both and said, ‘Guys, I just want you to know I love you, you’re my friends. I don’t understand what’s going on here. If there’s something you want to tell me, if there’s something I can do better, please let me know.’ And they both reaffirmed her quite well, which was great.”
Violence isn’t the Answer
All of the parents agree that it’s difficult parenting their children through these racially charged times. Violence isn’t the answer, they say.
“I guess I still go back to the non-aggression principle,” said John. “I believe the Christian response has to be much higher than that.” He added:
George Floyd’s murder was horrendous and it was a terrible injustice and justice needs to be served here, but going the opposite direction is not justice. We need to be better than that. And you know, there are plenty of people who are African American, who are calling out this, this craziness. ‘This does not represent what we were doing.’
Francine said she’s trying to step away from some of the news. While she wholeheartedly supports the protests, she doesn’t agree with the violence or destruction of personal property. “I’m very much of ‘let’s think of a strategic way that we can start to affect change.’ But I think that what you’re seeing in the looting and in the violence is just the anger boiling over. I also think that, to a certain extent, some of it’s being … used as an excuse. It has nothing to do with the cause and of the actual murder of George Floyd.”
“These people have a right to be angry,” said Susan, mother of a biracial son. “But what they’re doing is wrong by destroying people’s businesses that didn’t do this to them. … And I would love for [my son] to know that these people have a right to speak, but violence isn’t the answer. Violence doesn’t help violence.” So, what’s the answer?
Have the Conversations
For Ryan, all parents must be prepared to have tough conversations. “I think before we can have the answers, the first step is dialogue. We’ve got to … make sure that people are having the tough conversations, even when they’re uncomfortable and that … we’re sharing experiences that are actually happening.” He says that if more people share their experiences it can make an impact and ignite empathy and compassion. “And if I can impact one person with my story and they can impact someone by telling my story … well, then, we can affect change exponentially.”
Education is Necessary
“I think law enforcement needs to be better educated,” said Susan. “If they’re scared they don’t need to be police officers. They need to find better ways of restraint.” She added, “I just think they need to be more educated and not just assume because someone is black that they’re out to do harm to someone else or they’re up to no good.”
Francine said, “I think it’s about education. … educating police officers about cultural competency, about personal bias.” She also wants to provide mental health services to officers and hold accountable those who do wrong.
Color is Beautiful
Parents should also teach their children that God created all colors of skin and that they’re all beautiful. “That’s how God created them,” said Susan. “And they each symbolize part of God’s personality because our God isn’t just in a box that’s labeled ‘white.'” She added, “I think they should know there are differences and we need to love the people the way God made them.”
Reggie has heard from several people that they “don’t see color.” He’s never been offended by that. However, he wants to challenge people to see color, celebrate it and embrace it.
He encourages parents to teach their children, “Hey, God created so many beautiful, different color people like that guy right there. He’s brown. That guy right there. He’s real dark brown. He’s more of a black tone color. That lady over there, she’s peach. And over there, she’s a little yellowish and aren’t they beautiful?”and help our kids grow up with that mindset. … And I’ll go as far as to quote one of my colleagues who said, ‘Instead of us saying we’re color blind, why don’t we say we’re color rich?’ You know? And just enjoy each other because if you see my color skin and you like me anyway and you love me anyway, now I know you love me for me.”
Make the Change
Part of the solution for Reggie is intentionally being relational with people who don’t look or sound the same. People have been calling him and telling them they’re sorry he is dealing with this and experiencing the hurt. They ask what they can do, how they can pray. He says their reaching out to him has blessed him. But Mackenzie said that people also need to take action, not just say “something needs to change.” One of her church friends started a book study on a difficult topic, while another began a prayer group. Her teacher colleagues have begun to bring books into their classrooms for students to read that show races of all kinds.
Press into Your Faith
It’s a tough time. “It’s one of those spiritual things where you say, ‘God, where are You?’ Even [though] you know He’s there,” said Francine. “But you wonder, ‘Okay, what are You doing? What do You want to come out of this situation?’ So, for me, it’s very much pressing into my faith and saying, ‘There has got to be some kind of good that is coming out of all these situations. And if this is just a catalyst for change, then help us to hang on through this change.'”
“I think we all have to accept that this is going to continue on until Jesus brings us home,” said Reggie. But like Apostle Paul, Christians still must finish the race. “We still have to fight the fight. We still have to encourage people toward unity because it is the heart of God. … But the only time there is no more sin is when we are in heaven, spending eternity with King Jesus. That is when we’ll be perfection.”
John says that prayer is key and God is still in control. “The one thing where I personally feel like I have not done as good of a job is to say, ‘Okay, let’s stop a moment and pray about this.'” He says prayer is powerful, but it’s about God. “And He cares for us and He is still active today. So, this may be bigger than us, but it’s nothing even remotely bigger than He is.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-05--The Cancel Culture is Ruthless

The Cancel Culture is Ruthless

It can happen in a moment of time .
One ill-advised tweet .
One poorly worded post .
One foolish act in public .
And that ’ s it .
You are branded .
You are marked .
You are guilty .
For life .
Whatever good you ’ ve done in the past is forgotten , cancelled .
However deep and sincere your apology , it will never be enough .
You must carry the shame for the rest of your days .
Away with you !
Ben Howe , author of The Immoral Majority , recounts with horror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a 37-year-old man named Adam Smith .
Smith thought he was doing a good thing by berating a Chick-fil-A worker about her allegedly hateful company , and he proudly posted the video of the encounter .
Howe writes , “ I didn ’ t spearhead the charge , but I was one member of a growing Twitter mob .
The hunt began immediately .
By the next day , Smith ’ s video long deleted , Internet sleuths had located his LinkedIn profile and , in short order , his place of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired from his job .
Despite posting a public apology to the Chick-fil-A worker , named Rachel , he was then fired from other jobs once news of his connection to the initial video surfaced .
There is no forgiveness and no redemption in the cancel culture .
One wrong move , and you are disqualified forever .
According to Howe , “ Smith said this pattern repeated itself in the years that followed , and his family eventually had to resort to food stamps to survive without his income .
He says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cliff so his wife and children could collect on his insurance policy , but he couldn ’ t bring himself to do it .
His life had been completely and seemingly irreversibly destroyed.
” This is what today ’ s cancel culture does .
Just ask Drew Brees , longtime quarterback of the New Orleans Saints and one of the most popular players in the NFL .
And , to my knowledge , a man never before accused of being racist .
But on Wednesday , all hell broke loose against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.
” He was referring to the practice of some NFL players to kneel down during the national anthem as a sign of protest , and he was expressing his disagreement with it .
Was the statement ill-timed in light of the killing of George Floyd ?
Would it have been better not to say something like this at all right now ?
Even when pressed for his opinion about players kneeling in protest , could he have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to ask that question .
I want to focus on the pain and frustration experienced by the black community across America.
” ?
Yes , I ’ m sure he could have held his peace or expressed himself differently .
And he recognizes that as well .
So , on Thursday , he issued a lengthy , heartfelt apology , speaking with real humility .
Then , some hours later , he issued a second apology .
But that will not be enough for many .
They will want Brees ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
His career must be over .
Away with the man !
Some have called for Brees to be fired , despite his extraordinary career spanning almost two decades .
Others have wondered if he will be forced to retire ahead of schedule .
And plenty of others will want him to wear this reproach for the rest of his life .
Let the name of Brees live on in infamy !
Actually , if you watch the video where he was asked how he felt about players protesting during the anthem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him .
When he hears the anthem , he said , he thinks of his two grandfathers .
Both of them fought in World War II and risked their lives to protect our freedoms and to try to make America and the world a better place .
The thought of this , during the anthem , sometimes moves him to tears .
So , for him , when we stand for the anthem , we are pledging our unity together , and that is how we can fix the real problems that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
That was it .
That was his great crime .
And forever , in the eyes of some , his legacy will be tarnished .
Thankfully , not everyone feels this way .
Joe Horn , himself a black American , said , “ People should not be throwing Drew Brees under the bus , and they definitely need to pump the brakes on labeling him a racist .
I know Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help black families and the black community in New Orleans .
If Drew Brees didn ’ t love black families and low-income families he wouldn ’ t have helped the way he has over the years .
People that are criticizing him like LeBron James and other celebrities don ’ t know him .
They need to check his resume.
” “ I love my race , ” Horn said .
“ And I love New Orleans to death .
But I know Drew Brees .
And Drew is a good person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and gotten to know him , his wife and family , you definitely have to give him a pass on this one and allow Drew a chance to think about what he said and come back and make this right .
And I know he will.
” Sure enough , Brees did make things right , loudly and clearly .
But will the cancel culture even care ?
For many , the answer is no .
Redemption , for them , is a non-existent word .
“ He Can ’ t Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the greatly loved former coach and now NFL TV commentator , said this : “ It may have been not exactly the way he wanted to express it , but he can ’ t be afraid to say that , and we can ’ t be afraid to say , ‘ OK Drew , I don ’ t agree with you , but let ’ s talk about this , and let ’ s sit down and talk about it.
’ ” Dungy , who is also black , continued , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something happens that we don ’ t agree with , ‘ Hey , I ’ m done with that and I ’ m done with this person.
’ ” But that is what we are doing to each other , with almost fanatical zeal .
And where it will lead ?
It will lead to self-destruction .
The cancel culture will ultimately cancel itself out , as the judge and jury quickly become the guilty party , and in a moment of time at that .
The cancel culture will reap what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it be ?
Will you sow understanding , mercy , redemption , and forgiveness ?
Or will you sow ruthlessness ?
Be careful how you choose today .
You will reap the results tomorrow .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

It can happen in a moment of time. One ill-advised tweet. One poorly worded post. One foolish act in public. And that’s it. You are branded. You are marked. You are guilty. For life.
Whatever good you’ve done in the past is forgotten, cancelled. However deep and sincere your apology, it will never be enough. You must carry the shame for the rest of your days. Away with you!
One Wrong Move Left Adam Smith Unable to Find Work
Ben Howe, author of The Immoral Majority, recounts with horror how he helped spread the video posted by a 37-year-old man named Adam Smith. Smith thought he was doing a good thing by berating a Chick-fil-A worker about her allegedly hateful company, and he proudly posted the video of the encounter.
Howe writes, “I didn’t spearhead the charge, but I was one member of a growing Twitter mob. The hunt began immediately.
By the next day, Smith’s video long deleted, Internet sleuths had located his LinkedIn profile and, in short order, his place of work.”
“Smith said this pattern repeated itself in the years that followed, and his family eventually had to resort to food stamps to survive without his income. He says he became suicidal.”
Soon enough, he was fired from his job. Despite posting a public apology to the Chick-fil-A worker, named Rachel, he was then fired from other jobs once news of his connection to the initial video surfaced.
There is no forgiveness and no redemption in the cancel culture. One wrong move, and you are disqualified forever.
According to Howe, “Smith said this pattern repeated itself in the years that followed, and his family eventually had to resort to food stamps to survive without his income. He says he became suicidal, contemplating driving off a cliff so his wife and children could collect on his insurance policy, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. His life had been completely and seemingly irreversibly destroyed.”
This is what today’s cancel culture does.
Drew Brees Faces Cancel Culture
Just ask Drew Brees, longtime quarterback of the New Orleans Saints and one of the most popular players in the NFL. And, to my knowledge, a man never before accused of being racist.
But on Wednesday, all hell broke loose against him when he said that he “will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.”
He was referring to the practice of some NFL players to kneel down during the national anthem as a sign of protest, and he was expressing his disagreement with it.
Was the statement ill-timed in light of the killing of George Floyd? Would it have been better not to say something like this at all right now? Even when pressed for his opinion about players kneeling in protest, could he have said, “Now is not the time to ask that question. I want to focus on the pain and frustration experienced by the black community across America.”?
There is no forgiveness and no redemption in the cancel culture.
Yes, I’m sure he could have held his peace or expressed himself differently. And he recognizes that as well.
So, on Thursday, he issued a lengthy, heartfelt apology, speaking with real humility. Then, some hours later, he issued a second apology.
But that will not be enough for many. They will want Brees’s head on a platter, so to say. His career must be over. Away with the man!
Some have called for Brees to be fired, despite his extraordinary career spanning almost two decades. Others have wondered if he will be forced to retire ahead of schedule. And plenty of others will want him to wear this reproach for the rest of his life. Let the name of Brees live on in infamy!
Brees’ Full Comments Offer Context
Actually, if you watch the video where he was asked how he felt about players protesting during the anthem, he explained what the anthem meant to him. When he hears the anthem, he said, he thinks of his two grandfathers. Both of them fought in World War II and risked their lives to protect our freedoms and to try to make America and the world a better place. The thought of this, during the anthem, sometimes moves him to tears.
So, for him, when we stand for the anthem, we are pledging our unity together, and that is how we can fix the real problems that still exist in our country.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
That was it. That was his great crime. And forever, in the eyes of some, his legacy will be tarnished.
Thankfully, not everyone feels this way.
“I Know Drew Brees”
Joe Horn, himself a black American, said, “People should not be throwing Drew Brees under the bus, and they definitely need to pump the brakes on labeling him a racist. I know Drew Brees. Drew has done a lot to help black families and the black community in New Orleans. If Drew Brees didn’t love black families and low-income families he wouldn’t have helped the way he has over the years. People that are criticizing him like LeBron James and other celebrities don’t know him. They need to check his resume.”
“I love my race,” Horn said. “And I love New Orleans to death. But I know Drew Brees. And Drew is a good person. And until you have walked beside him and gotten to know him, his wife and family, you definitely have to give him a pass on this one and allow Drew a chance to think about what he said and come back and make this right. And I know he will.”
Sure enough, Brees did make things right, loudly and clearly. But will the cancel culture even care? For many, the answer is no. Redemption, for them, is a non-existent word.
“He Can’t Be Afraid to Say That”
Tony Dungy, the greatly loved former coach and now NFL TV commentator, said this: “It may have been not exactly the way he wanted to express it, but he can’t be afraid to say that, and we can’t be afraid to say, ‘OK Drew, I don’t agree with you, but let’s talk about this, and let’s sit down and talk about it.’”
Dungy, who is also black, continued, “We can’t just say anytime something happens that we don’t agree with, ‘Hey, I’m done with that and I’m done with this person.’”
Will you sow understanding, mercy, redemption, and forgiveness? Or will you sow ruthlessness?
Precisely so.
But that is what we are doing to each other, with almost fanatical zeal. And where it will lead? It will lead to self-destruction. The cancel culture will ultimately cancel itself out, as the judge and jury quickly become the guilty party, and in a moment of time at that. The cancel culture will reap what it sows.
What, then, will it be? Will you sow understanding, mercy, redemption, and forgiveness? Or will you sow ruthlessness?
Be careful how you choose today. You will reap the results tomorrow.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-05--Time for Trump Haters to Put America First

Once again , President Donald Trump is being scapegoated for societal problems that he didn ’ t cause .
He didn ’ t bring the coronavirus to our shores , and he has not created an atmosphere of racial disharmony in this country .
Is there anything Trump ’ s haters won ’ t blame on him ?
They ’ ve been trying to remove him since before he was sworn in , and every time they fail , they find another excuse — from the Russia-collusion hoax to Ukraine to the coronavirus to economic hardship from the shutdown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsequent mayhem in our cities .
Trump roundly condemned George Floyd ’ s murder shortly after it occurred , but that wasn ’ t enough .
He condemned the organized thugs who hijacked the protests to vandalize , loot and endanger innocent people , but that was unacceptable .
By condemning the anarchists , he was somehow chilling the peaceful protesters ’ free speech rights and showing insensitivity to their cause and their pain .
After delivering a speech in the Rose Garden during which he promised to restore order to America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bible in his hand to visit St. John ’ s Church .
That , too , was revolting to his detractors , who pilloried him for staging a photo op .
Actress Debra Messing tweeted side-by-side images of Trump and Adolf Hitler each holding a Bible and said that it was “ a dog whistle to white nationalists and Nazis.
” The virtue-signaling activist ’ s allergy to the Bible might tell you all you need to know about her .
Sen. Chuck Schumer was so outraged by Trump ’ s visit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters there that he offered a “ sense of Congress ” resolution to condemn Trump .
There is just no end to their posturing .
People who viscerally hate Trump find fault in everything he does .
But his supporters are on to this now .
The haters have gone to the well too many times , and they are as intellectually dishonest as they are excessive .
They are out-of-control bullies always unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt .
Those wrongly accusing Trump of dividing the nation are themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s working to restore law and order , and they ’ re trying to undermine the peace .
When your policies are dramatically improving the lives of minorities , which they were before the shutdown and will be again , it ’ s unsettling to your political opponents whose power depends on winning 90 % of the African American vote and who have nothing to offer except patronizing policies and vilification of Republicans .
Democrats so thoroughly take their vote for granted that their standard-bearer , Joe Biden , says blacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t black .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The left has been demonizing Republicans as racist for decades .
And it maliciously depicts Trump ’ s signature stance on immigration enforcement as racist as well , which enhances its false narrative that Trump is presumptively racist and all of his actions should be viewed in this light .
So when Trump denounces antifa terrorists for turning our city streets into war zones ; torching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and murdering innocent people , he is accused of trampling on the Constitution .
No .
He is doing precisely what a president should do .
He is upholding the Constitution by restoring law and order ; reestablishing domestic tranquility ; and protecting American citizens , their property and their livelihoods .
He is not on some power trip here ; he is trying to prevent criminals from engaging in wanton destruction and dismantling our civil society .
Just as one can simultaneously defend the right of citizens to peaceably protest while condemning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overwhelming majority of good and honorable law enforcement officers while condemning renegade cops .
If we surrender to domestic terrorists and criminals , we won ’ t have a nation anymore , which is apparently what the anarchists want .
Stunningly , they ’ re making substantial progress .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has proposed cutting $ 100 million to $ 150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department budget to reinvest it in communities of color .
Do you think this conspicuous pitting of cops against minorities is accidental ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to minority communities , why gut the police budget ?
The obvious answer is that Garcetti is sending a message that cops are the bad guys and punishing them somehow helps minority communities .
Neither minorities nor anyone else will benefit from emasculating the police force .
It is indeed a sad day for America when people cheer on the disintegration of our society .
Of course , decent and civilized people must denounce the murder of George Floyd and any other despicable incidents of police brutality , but that doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers by the very same type of stereotyping and antipathy that lie at the root of racism .
We are all individuals and must be accountable for our own behavior , not smeared by a broad brush of indiscriminate condemnation .
Couldn ’ t Trump ’ s opponents , who constantly accuse him of dividing the nation , just once try to join him in combating these deadly menaces threatening our society — the virus , the economic shutdown and the violence in our streets — instead of always focusing their energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads to prevail .
Pray for America ’ s peace .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

Once again, President Donald Trump is being scapegoated for societal problems that he didn’t cause. He didn’t bring the coronavirus to our shores, and he has not created an atmosphere of racial disharmony in this country.
Is there anything Trump’s haters won’t blame on him? They’ve been trying to remove him since before he was sworn in, and every time they fail, they find another excuse — from the Russia-collusion hoax to Ukraine to the coronavirus to economic hardship from the shutdown to the murder of George Floyd to the subsequent mayhem in our cities.
He Can’t Win
Trump roundly condemned George Floyd’s murder shortly after it occurred, but that wasn’t enough. He condemned the organized thugs who hijacked the protests to vandalize, loot and endanger innocent people, but that was unacceptable. By condemning the anarchists, he was somehow chilling the peaceful protesters’ free speech rights and showing insensitivity to their cause and their pain.
After delivering a speech in the Rose Garden during which he promised to restore order to America, he walked across the street with a Bible in his hand to visit St. John’s Church. That, too, was revolting to his detractors, who pilloried him for staging a photo op.
Actress Debra Messing tweeted side-by-side images of Trump and Adolf Hitler each holding a Bible and said that it was “a dog whistle to white nationalists and Nazis.” The virtue-signaling activist’s allergy to the Bible might tell you all you need to know about her.
Sen. Chuck Schumer was so outraged by Trump’s visit to the church and the temporary removal of protesters there that he offered a “sense of Congress” resolution to condemn Trump. There is just no end to their posturing.
Out of Control Bullies
People who viscerally hate Trump find fault in everything he does. But his supporters are on to this now. The haters have gone to the well too many times, and they are as intellectually dishonest as they are excessive. They are out-of-control bullies always unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Those wrongly accusing Trump of dividing the nation are themselves tearing us apart at the seams. He’s working to restore law and order, and they’re trying to undermine the peace.
When your policies are dramatically improving the lives of minorities, which they were before the shutdown and will be again, it’s unsettling to your political opponents whose power depends on winning 90% of the African American vote and who have nothing to offer except patronizing policies and vilification of Republicans. Democrats so thoroughly take their vote for granted that their standard-bearer, Joe Biden, says blacks who won’t vote for him aren’t black.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The left has been demonizing Republicans as racist for decades. And it maliciously depicts Trump’s signature stance on immigration enforcement as racist as well, which enhances its false narrative that Trump is presumptively racist and all of his actions should be viewed in this light.
So when Trump denounces antifa terrorists for turning our city streets into war zones; torching and pillaging commercial establishments; and injuring and murdering innocent people, he is accused of trampling on the Constitution.
No. He is doing precisely what a president should do. He is upholding the Constitution by restoring law and order; reestablishing domestic tranquility; and protecting American citizens, their property and their livelihoods. He is not on some power trip here; he is trying to prevent criminals from engaging in wanton destruction and dismantling our civil society.
Just as one can simultaneously defend the right of citizens to peaceably protest while condemning rioters and looters, one can support the overwhelming majority of good and honorable law enforcement officers while condemning renegade cops.
They’re Making Substantial Progress
If we surrender to domestic terrorists and criminals, we won’t have a nation anymore, which is apparently what the anarchists want. Stunningly, they’re making substantial progress.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has proposed cutting $100 million to $150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department budget to reinvest it in communities of color.
Do you think this conspicuous pitting of cops against minorities is accidental? If LA officials want to increase expenditures to minority communities, why gut the police budget? The obvious answer is that Garcetti is sending a message that cops are the bad guys and punishing them somehow helps minority communities. Neither minorities nor anyone else will benefit from emasculating the police force.
It is indeed a sad day for America when people cheer on the disintegration of our society.
Time for Unity
Of course, decent and civilized people must denounce the murder of George Floyd and any other despicable incidents of police brutality, but that doesn’t mean losing our heads and condemning all police officers by the very same type of stereotyping and antipathy that lie at the root of racism. We are all individuals and must be accountable for our own behavior, not smeared by a broad brush of indiscriminate condemnation.
Couldn’t Trump’s opponents, who constantly accuse him of dividing the nation, just once try to join him in combating these deadly menaces threatening our society — the virus, the economic shutdown and the violence in our streets — instead of always focusing their energy on destroying him?
Pray for cooler heads to prevail. Pray for America’s peace.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


Mattis Lunacy

You might have heard about that statement released by former Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis , accusing President Trump of making a “ mockery ” of the Constitution , of being the first President in his lifetime who tries to divide the people ( say , didn ’ t he work under Obama ? )
and of threatening a military assault against peaceful protesters who are simply seeking justice .
He adds , almost as an aside , that “ we must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers.
” Actually , Trump has made it crystal clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers responsible for the death of George Floyd ( he put the FBI on the case ) , and he supports the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters .
That alleged “ small number of lawbreakers ” are hardly a footnote , they ’ re the entire problem .
The threat to use the military was made because they are wreaking havoc on our cities by burning , looting and rioting .
If this were simply a peaceful protest , or if the mayors and Governors of those areas weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violence , there would be no need for threat of federal intervention .
And far from being unprecedented and unconstitutional , Trump ’ s threat is perfectly legal under the Insurrection Act , which has been invoked over a dozen times by previous Presidents , most recently to end the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
So in short , Mattis ’ claims are divorced from reality and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use a power used by other Presidents before him to end violence and rioting , not to launch a D-Day type assault on peaceful protesters .
As RedState.com puts it succinctly , Gen. Mattis ’ statement , with all due respect , is “ just nuts.
” But click the link to read more because they go into some much-needed background details that might help explain why he released it .
They also note that if Mattis is so opposed to dividing the American people , then why did he say nothing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years , even though he had knowledge about Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn that could have stopped it before it got started ?
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

You might have heard about that statement released by former Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis, accusing President Trump of making a “mockery” of the Constitution, of being the first President in his lifetime who tries to divide the people (say, didn’t he work under Obama?) and of threatening a military assault against peaceful protesters who are simply seeking justice. He adds, almost as an aside, that “we must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers.”
Actually, Trump has made it crystal clear that he agrees with the prosecution of the officers responsible for the death of George Floyd (he put the FBI on the case), and he supports the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters. That alleged “small number of lawbreakers” are hardly a footnote, they’re the entire problem. The threat to use the military was made because they are wreaking havoc on our cities by burning, looting and rioting. If this were simply a peaceful protest, or if the mayors and Governors of those areas weren’t proving incapable of or unwilling to stop the violence, there would be no need for threat of federal intervention. And far from being unprecedented and unconstitutional, Trump’s threat is perfectly legal under the Insurrection Act, which has been invoked over a dozen times by previous Presidents, most recently to end the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
So in short, Mattis’ claims are divorced from reality and make no sense. Trump is threatening to use a power used by other Presidents before him to end violence and rioting, not to launch a D-Day type assault on peaceful protesters. As RedState.com puts it succinctly, Gen. Mattis’ statement, with all due respect, is “just nuts.”
But click the link to read more because they go into some much-needed background details that might help explain why he released it. They also note that if Mattis is so opposed to dividing the American people, then why did he say nothing about the incredibly divisive Russian collusion hoax for three years, even though he had knowledge about Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn that could have stopped it before it got started?
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-06-05--Stop Using the Boston Tea Party to Justify Violence in Modern America

Lawful protest in the American political process isn ’ t the same as the lawless rioting , looting and destruction of lives and property that became a threat to the public in the past week .
The death of a black man , George Floyd , at the hands of a white police officer May 25 in Minneapolis sparked widespread protests there and across America .
Many of the demonstrations , despite the general lockdown and stay-at-home orders still in place during the coronavirus pandemic , have been peaceful .
However , in many cities , vandals and looters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority-owned businesses among many others .
Several people have been killed amid the violence .
Defacing a monument to the 54th Massachusetts , a regiment of all-volunteer black soldiers during the Civil War , hardly seems like an appropriate or reasonable protest of Floyd ’ s killing , or racism in America , or really anything else .
These shameful and destructive actions have been denounced by many — including Floyd ’ s family — and are a direct assault on the rule of law .
Unfortunately , some have taken to justifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days and have been making a direct comparison to the Boston Tea Party and other acts of rebellion in the American colonies leading up to the Revolutionary War .
“ The destruction of a police precinct is not only a tactically reasonable response to the crisis of policing , it is a quintessentially American response , and a predictable one , ” journalism professor Steven W. Thrasher at Northwestern University wrote in Slate , adding : “ The uprising we ’ ve seen this week is speaking to the American police state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and including the use of fireworks to mark a battle victory .
Property destruction for social change is as American as the Boston Tea Party.
” The insinuation is that the destruction of the 3rd Precinct police station in Minneapolis , or looting and arson , is somehow in line with venerable American traditions and can lead to positive change within the American system of free government .
This is nonsense .
In the early 1770s , discontent was brewing in Boston and other parts of the British colonies in America in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament putting duties and taxes on various goods vital to the economy of the colonies .
The taxes were obnoxious enough , but what was truly intolerable to the American colonists was that they had no say in the laws , no avenue to have representation in the British Empire ’ s governing body .
The Tea Act of 1773 , which led to the Boston Tea Party , actually was , in part , a lowering of a previous tax .
This too was unacceptable .
Yes , the taxes were bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not , ultimately , the issue at hand .
Instead , it was the colonists ’ belief that they were living under an arbitrary and increasingly authoritarian government , that their pleas for change would be effectively ignored .
The American colonies , with a long history of self-rule and belief that they were British subjects just as much as those living in London , saw the actions of the British government as looming tyranny .
Instead of finding ways to accommodate the colonists ’ fears , as some wiser statesmen such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King George III ’ s ministry to do , the British government tightened the screws .
Confrontation was becoming inevitable .
Boston stewed with discontent in the winter of 1773 .
Colonists refused to let ships that brought tea owned by the East India Company — essentially a monopoly backed by England — to be unloaded for sale in the city .
It ’ s important to note too that colonists had negotiated for weeks simply to have the ships filled with tea sent back to England rather than force a confrontation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aboard ships be paid within 20 days , or authorities would seize the ships and sell the items .
The owner of one of the tea-carrying ships , Francis Rotch , pleaded with the crown-appointed Massachusetts governor to allow him to sail back to England , but the governor repeatedly denied his request .
When Rotch returned to Boston on the evening of Dec. 26 , 1773 and delivered the bad news to Boston ’ s Committee of Correspondence that his request had been rejected , the die was cast .
A group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the Sons of Liberty , many dressed as Mohawk warriors , went into action .
Historian Jack Rakove recounted what happened next in his book , Revolutionaries : Inventing an American Nation : “ Once the ‘ Mohawks , ’ numbering fifteen or twenty a vessel , boarded the ships , the crowd watched silently as 340 massive chests of East India Company tea were hauled on deck and whacked open with axes ; then the contents were thrown overboard .
By 9 p.m. a cargo valued at a hefty nine thousand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-tide waters.
” The Sons of Liberty carefully targeted their protest .
They opposed an arbitrary and obnoxious tax , not a ship owner , and certainly didn ’ t intend to harm Bostonians .
They conducted themselves in as orderly a fashion as possible .
In fact , Samuel Adams , one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty , insisted that the protest occurred “ without the least injury to the vessels or any other property.
” The Sons of Liberty broke a padlock to get to the tea inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They certainly didn ’ t take that moment to rob their local businesses or burn buildings to the ground .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Not everyone was convinced .
Notably , George Washington and Benjamin Franklin weren ’ t pleased with the property destruction , however justified , and disapproved when riots previously erupted in response to Parliament ’ s “ Intolerable Acts , ” as they were called .
Franklin and Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , hoped that a lawful resolution was possible despite their opposition to the British government ’ s actions in general .
Columnist Dan McLaughlin , writing in 2014 for The Federalist , was correct in saying the reason Americans so fondly remember the Boston Tea Party and other incidents of rebellion in the American colonies is “ not because rioting was morally justified or successful in bringing about its aims , but because we see the ultimate result that those outbursts led to the American Revolution.
” The Boston Tea Party was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolting against the use of arbitrary power , which the Declaration of Independence later explicitly cited as the reason for the colonies to separate from England .
The Constitution and the governing system created by the founding generation following the Revolution was designed to ensure that American citizens did not have to suffer arbitrary government .
We , unlike the colonists of the 1770s , would have the chance to petition authorities , conduct elections and seek representation in government .
It ’ s worth noting that when groups of Americans organized militias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to topple local authorities in Pennsylvania , President George Washington personally led a military force to crush it .
Violent resistance to duly passed laws , whether good or not , would be met with force .
Laws may not change and — as the world is not perfect — injustices will still occur under our system , but we have the tools to appeal to ballots over bullets that the colonists didn ’ t .
This is the cornerstone of liberty and self-government .
Associating the violent destruction of a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past week with the Boston Tea Party is an abuse of history .
It makes a mockery of our constitutional , free government .
Jarrett Stepman is a contributor to The Daily Signal and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast .
Send an email to Jarrett .
He is also the author of the new book , The War on History : The Conspiracy to Rewrite America ’ s Past .

Lawful protest in the American political process isn’t the same as the lawless rioting, looting and destruction of lives and property that became a threat to the public in the past week.
The death of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white police officer May 25 in Minneapolis sparked widespread protests there and across America. Many of the demonstrations, despite the general lockdown and stay-at-home orders still in place during the coronavirus pandemic, have been peaceful. However, in many cities, vandals and looters are destroying public and private property and ransacking minority-owned businesses among many others. Several people have been killed amid the violence. Defacing a monument to the 54th Massachusetts, a regiment of all-volunteer black soldiers during the Civil War, hardly seems like an appropriate or reasonable protest of Floyd’s killing, or racism in America, or really anything else.
These shameful and destructive actions have been denounced by many — including Floyd’s family — and are a direct assault on the rule of law. Unfortunately, some have taken to justifying the violence we’ve seen in recent days and have been making a direct comparison to the Boston Tea Party and other acts of rebellion in the American colonies leading up to the Revolutionary War.
Associating the violent destruction of a police station and wanton looting of businesses this past week with the Boston Tea Party is an abuse of history.
“The destruction of a police precinct is not only a tactically reasonable response to the crisis of policing, it is a quintessentially American response, and a predictable one,” journalism professor Steven W. Thrasher at Northwestern University wrote in Slate, adding: “The uprising we’ve seen this week is speaking to the American police state in its own language, up to and including the use of fireworks to mark a battle victory. Property destruction for social change is as American as the Boston Tea Party.”
The insinuation is that the destruction of the 3rd Precinct police station in Minneapolis, or looting and arson, is somehow in line with venerable American traditions and can lead to positive change within the American system of free government. This is nonsense.
Intolerable Acts
In the early 1770s, discontent was brewing in Boston and other parts of the British colonies in America in response to a series of acts passed in Parliament putting duties and taxes on various goods vital to the economy of the colonies. The taxes were obnoxious enough, but what was truly intolerable to the American colonists was that they had no say in the laws, no avenue to have representation in the British Empire’s governing body.
The Tea Act of 1773, which led to the Boston Tea Party, actually was, in part, a lowering of a previous tax. This too was unacceptable. Yes, the taxes were bad enough, but the rate of taxation was not, ultimately, the issue at hand. Instead, it was the colonists’ belief that they were living under an arbitrary and increasingly authoritarian government, that their pleas for change would be effectively ignored.
Confrontation was becoming inevitable.
The American colonies, with a long history of self-rule and belief that they were British subjects just as much as those living in London, saw the actions of the British government as looming tyranny. Instead of finding ways to accommodate the colonists’ fears, as some wiser statesmen such as Edmund Burke were imploring Parliament and King George III’s ministry to do, the British government tightened the screws. Confrontation was becoming inevitable.
Boston stewed with discontent in the winter of 1773. Colonists refused to let ships that brought tea owned by the East India Company — essentially a monopoly backed by England — to be unloaded for sale in the city. It’s important to note too that colonists had negotiated for weeks simply to have the ships filled with tea sent back to England rather than force a confrontation. British law mandated that duties on goods aboard ships be paid within 20 days, or authorities would seize the ships and sell the items.
The owner of one of the tea-carrying ships, Francis Rotch, pleaded with the crown-appointed Massachusetts governor to allow him to sail back to England, but the governor repeatedly denied his request. When Rotch returned to Boston on the evening of Dec. 26, 1773 and delivered the bad news to Boston’s Committee of Correspondence that his request had been rejected, the die was cast.
The Tea Party
A group of townspeople associated with a patriot group called the Sons of Liberty, many dressed as Mohawk warriors, went into action. Historian Jack Rakove recounted what happened next in his book, Revolutionaries: Inventing an American Nation: “Once the ‘Mohawks,’ numbering fifteen or twenty a vessel, boarded the ships, the crowd watched silently as 340 massive chests of East India Company tea were hauled on deck and whacked open with axes; then the contents were thrown overboard. By 9 p.m. a cargo valued at a hefty nine thousand pounds sterling was weakly brewing in the low-tide waters.”
The Sons of Liberty carefully targeted their protest. They opposed an arbitrary and obnoxious tax, not a ship owner, and certainly didn’t intend to harm Bostonians. They conducted themselves in as orderly a fashion as possible. In fact, Samuel Adams, one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, insisted that the protest occurred “without the least injury to the vessels or any other property.” The Sons of Liberty broke a padlock to get to the tea inside, but replaced it the next day. They certainly didn’t take that moment to rob their local businesses or burn buildings to the ground.
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Not everyone was convinced. Notably, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin weren’t pleased with the property destruction, however justified, and disapproved when riots previously erupted in response to Parliament’s “Intolerable Acts,” as they were called. Franklin and Washington, like numerous other American colonists at the time, hoped that a lawful resolution was possible despite their opposition to the British government’s actions in general.
Columnist Dan McLaughlin, writing in 2014 for The Federalist, was correct in saying the reason Americans so fondly remember the Boston Tea Party and other incidents of rebellion in the American colonies is “not because rioting was morally justified or successful in bringing about its aims, but because we see the ultimate result that those outbursts led to the American Revolution.” The Boston Tea Party was an act of rebellion from a colony revolting against the use of arbitrary power, which the Declaration of Independence later explicitly cited as the reason for the colonies to separate from England.
Our System of Free Government
The Constitution and the governing system created by the founding generation following the Revolution was designed to ensure that American citizens did not have to suffer arbitrary government. We, unlike the colonists of the 1770s, would have the chance to petition authorities, conduct elections and seek representation in government.
It’s worth noting that when groups of Americans organized militias to oppose taxes in the 1790s and threatened to topple local authorities in Pennsylvania, President George Washington personally led a military force to crush it. Violent resistance to duly passed laws, whether good or not, would be met with force.
Laws may not change and — as the world is not perfect — injustices will still occur under our system, but we have the tools to appeal to ballots over bullets that the colonists didn’t. This is the cornerstone of liberty and self-government. Associating the violent destruction of a police station and wanton looting of businesses this past week with the Boston Tea Party is an abuse of history. It makes a mockery of our constitutional, free government.
Jarrett Stepman is a contributor to The Daily Signal and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast. Send an email to Jarrett. He is also the author of the new book, The War on History: The Conspiracy to Rewrite America’s Past.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-06-05--Attorney General Reassures Black Community on Criminal Justice, Vows to Prosecute ‘Extremist Agitato

Attorney General Reassures Black Community on Criminal Justice, Vows to Prosecute ‘Extremist Agitators’

Attorney General William Barr said Thursday the Justice Department will work with law enforcement agencies to find ways to restore confidence among African Americans in the criminal justice system .
During an online press conference , Barr also said law enforcement should prosecute “ extremist agitators ” of all ideological stripes .
He specifically cited Antifa and the Boogaloo movement .
“ George Floyd ’ s death was not the first of its kind , and it exposes concerns that reach far beyond this particular case , ” Barr said .
“ It is undeniable that many African Americans lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This must change.
” Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police after he was seen on cellphone video pleading “ I can ’ t breathe , ” as since-fired police Officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes .
Three other police officers are seen on the video standing by , doing nothing to respond to Floyd ’ s cries .
Prosecutors have charged Chauvin with second-degree murder and the other three officers as accomplices .
Floyd ’ s death led initially to peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looting , and arson , first in Minneapolis and then spreading across the United States .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Barr said the rioters are “ hijacking ” the peaceful protests .
“ The large preponderance of those who are protesting are peaceful demonstrators who are exercising their First Amendment rights , ” the attorney general said .
“ At some demonstrations , however , there are groups that exploit the opportunity to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at some demonstrations , there are extremist agitators who are hijacking the peaceful protests to pursue their own separate and violent agenda.
” We have evidence that Antifa and other , similar extremist groups , as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions , have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity .
We are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides .
The Department of Justice is working to restore order in the District of Columbia and around the nation .
Here in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the citizen soldiers of the National Guard and other federal agencies to provide safety and justice .
Barr said law enforcement will “ deal effectively ” with those pushing violence , singling out the violent group Antifa .
“ There are some groups that don ’ t have a particular ideology , other than anarchy , ” Barr said .
“ There are some groups that want to bring about a civil war .
The Boogaloo group has been on the margin of this , as well.
” Antifa is a far-left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group seeking to start another civil war .
Barr said the Justice Department will work with state and local law enforcement agencies to find “ constructive solutions ” so Floyd ’ s death will not be in vain .

Attorney General William Barr said Thursday the Justice Department will work with law enforcement agencies to find ways to restore confidence among African Americans in the criminal justice system.
During an online press conference, Barr also said law enforcement should prosecute “extremist agitators” of all ideological stripes. He specifically cited Antifa and the Boogaloo movement.
“George Floyd’s death was not the first of its kind, and it exposes concerns that reach far beyond this particular case,” Barr said. “It is undeniable that many African Americans lack confidence in our American criminal justice system. This must change.”
Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police after he was seen on cellphone video pleading “I can’t breathe,” as since-fired police Officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Three other police officers are seen on the video standing by, doing nothing to respond to Floyd’s cries.
Prosecutors have charged Chauvin with second-degree murder and the other three officers as accomplices.
Floyd’s death led initially to peaceful protests that subsequently turned into violent rioting, looting, and arson, first in Minneapolis and then spreading across the United States.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Barr said the rioters are “hijacking” the peaceful protests.
“The large preponderance of those who are protesting are peaceful demonstrators who are exercising their First Amendment rights,” the attorney general said. “At some demonstrations, however, there are groups that exploit the opportunity to engage in such crimes as looting. Finally, at some demonstrations, there are extremist agitators who are hijacking the peaceful protests to pursue their own separate and violent agenda.”
The attorney general continued:
We have evidence that Antifa and other, similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions, have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity. We are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides. The Department of Justice is working to restore order in the District of Columbia and around the nation. Here in Washington, we are working with the local police, the citizen soldiers of the National Guard and other federal agencies to provide safety and justice.
Barr said law enforcement will “deal effectively” with those pushing violence, singling out the violent group Antifa.
“There are some groups that don’t have a particular ideology, other than anarchy,” Barr said. “There are some groups that want to bring about a civil war. The Boogaloo group has been on the margin of this, as well.”
Antifa is a far-left violent group, while Boogaloo is a group seeking to start another civil war.
Barr said the Justice Department will work with state and local law enforcement agencies to find “constructive solutions” so Floyd’s death will not be in vain.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-06-05--Wishful Thinking: If Only We Could Take a Time Out To Think Things Through

One of the best things that ’ s happened lately to the American economy has been the Wall Street “ circuit breaker.
” It ’ s a literal switch that stops all trading at the first sign of panic .
The idea is to put a short halt to automatic market processes , and allow time for human wisdom to intervene .
I wish we had one of those for society as a whole .
We ’ ve just gone from slow-moving crisis to fast-burning panic .
This past week ’ s protests , riots , and looting are layered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything our generation has faced before .
It would take days just to list them all , much less think them through clearly enough to apply real wisdom , yet we ’ re racing through them as if we were on automatic ourselves .
I won ’ t take days , I promise .
But here are at least some points we absolutely must be able to think about .
If this looks like a long list of bullet points , that ’ s the point .
I challenge anyone to show where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • There are protests , riots , and looting .
The three are not the same thing and must not be confused with each other .
• George Floyd ’ s murder was undeniably a turning point .
But racial anger has been building for a very long time , for very real reasons .
• For many Americans , blacks who ’ ve long suffered discrimination , dehumanization , and misunderstanding , these ( non-violent ) protests are a sign that the injustices they ’ ve suffered are finally getting a hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whites , the protests signify reason to fear .
They see risk of violence breaking out .
They may fear being dehumanized and misunderstood themselves .
And some simply fear change .
• Still others see the protests as nothing but signs of irresponsibility or entitlement .
See my third bullet point above , however .
Note also , though , that “ getting a hearing ” still isn ’ t enough to solve the underlying problem .
• For all of us , these events overlap with America ’ s most unsettling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least World War II .
We were already hot-wired for trouble .
For recognizing there are multiple sides to this issue , I will undoubtedly be charged by some conservatives as going liberal , caving in to the “ woke ” crowd .
It ’ s happened to me more than once .
Progressives will accuse me of being beholden to my conservative roots .
So be it .
I stand my ground with preferring to seek thorough , three-dimensional understanding .
And I stand especially with wanting to treat all my fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Christ would have us do .
• When Martin Luther King , Jr. , marched , he marched for specific legal change , as steps along a journey toward a just society .
The current protests have little to no defined end or goal in sight .
• Some protestors do have specific goals in mind , but not wise , helpful , or good ones : They ’ re advocating for permanent subjugation — by shaming , if nothing else — of white Americans .
• This goal of subjugation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race issue for political gain .
• Too many whites make a grim mistake of thinking that ’ s all this is about .
Racial discrimination is still real , however .
It ’ s disgusting , disturbing , and dehumanizing to those who experience it , so the level of anger should be no surprise to anyone .
• It seems likely that political motives can explain some progressive leaders ’ silence toward the rioting and looting .
• Meanwhile it ’ s not as clear as it should be that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and rioting or looting .
• Some portion of the looting and destruction has been credibly linked to organized crime .
Far from being part of the protests , it ’ s actually hurting African Americans in multiple ways .
Some are obviously being harmed in their persons , their property and livelihoods .
But it ’ s also badly distorting the most important message they need to get across .
• Black Americans consistently tell white Americans we “ don ’ t get it.
” If we think we do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t .
Having listened to enough of them explain why they say so , I ’ m convinced they are exactly right , and that this contributes understandably to their frustration .
• Yet a whole lot of white Americans are also tired of being told we ’ re “ racist ” when we ’ re doing our level best not to be .
Seriously .
If it ’ s so extremely hard for whites not to display at least some racism — as Black Americans say it is — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit for at least attempting to do this hard thing ?
• With so little credit granted for trying , some white Americans are giving up in anger and choosing racism intentionally .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
• Many African Americans say they wish white Americans would just listen , for starters at least .
Unfortunately , not enough whites are doing that .
• Unfortunately also , too many blacks want something other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re looking for shaming , reparations going back to times of slavery , and other impossible or unhelpful outcomes .
• Distorted code language infects the whole process .
“ Racial justice , ” for example , should be a category of justice , period , and as such , every person of good will should desire it .
But it ’ s been wrapped in “ woke ” language that associates it with the same shaming , reparations , and so on .
Meanwhile real justice gets left in the dirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Race relations have increasingly departed away from the gospel ’ s approach of dealing in guilt , justice , forgiveness , and reconciliation , and toward a worldly approach dealing in shame , “ canceling , ” putdowns , and revenge .
This is hardly surprising in a world that ’ s gradually forgetting the gospel .
Time to Think It Through ?
That ’ s enough for now .
Even a list that long , though , hardly begins to tell the story .
There are at least four sides to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , criminal , and more .
But no , it ’ s worse : There are at least four sides to each of the four sides .
And out of all that , what ’ s most visible to most Americans right now ?
The smashing and looting .
How much good is that doing for race relations or racial justice ?
You may ask how much good would a time out , or a circuit breaker do us now , when this has already been going on for decades .
Am I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , not really .
This is wishful thinking , remember .
If I ’ m calling for any kind of delay , it ’ s the kind where we really grapple with all this , and push for real answers .
Without any looting and violence going on to confuse us , by the way .
( I faulted Barack Obama this week for taking the slow approach , but that ’ s because he needs to say the right things right now to help slow down the rioting that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Wishful thinking .
Doesn ’ t do much good , does it ?
Maybe not much — but maybe a little .
I ’ d settle for this much : Let ’ s recognize there are real people living on every side of this incredibly difficult matter .
Each one is fully human .
Each one deserves a hearing .
( The looters and burners deserve a very special type of hearing — in a courtroom , that is — but that ’ s another matter . )
Let ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Let ’ s be willing to take time to listen and learn .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens , and the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

One of the best things that’s happened lately to the American economy has been the Wall Street “circuit breaker.” It’s a literal switch that stops all trading at the first sign of panic. The idea is to put a short halt to automatic market processes, and allow time for human wisdom to intervene.
I wish we had one of those for society as a whole. We’ve just gone from slow-moving crisis to fast-burning panic. This past week’s protests, riots, and looting are layered over with more complicated factors than perhaps anything our generation has faced before. It would take days just to list them all, much less think them through clearly enough to apply real wisdom, yet we’re racing through them as if we were on automatic ourselves.
I won’t take days, I promise. But here are at least some points we absolutely must be able to think about. If this looks like a long list of bullet points, that’s the point. I challenge anyone to show where even one of them is unimportant.
Protests, Riots, and Looting
There are protests, riots, and looting. The three are not the same thing and must not be confused with each other.
George Floyd’s murder was undeniably a turning point. But racial anger has been building for a very long time, for very real reasons.
For many Americans, blacks who’ve long suffered discrimination, dehumanization, and misunderstanding, these (non-violent) protests are a sign that the injustices they’ve suffered are finally getting a hearing.
For many others, mostly whites, the protests signify reason to fear. They see risk of violence breaking out. They may fear being dehumanized and misunderstood themselves. And some simply fear change.
Still others see the protests as nothing but signs of irresponsibility or entitlement. See my third bullet point above, however. Note also, though, that “getting a hearing” still isn’t enough to solve the underlying problem.
For all of us, these events overlap with America’s most unsettling, frightening, disruptive crisis since at least World War II. We were already hot-wired for trouble.
For recognizing there are multiple sides to this issue, I will undoubtedly be charged by some conservatives as going liberal, caving in to the “woke” crowd. It’s happened to me more than once. Progressives will accuse me of being beholden to my conservative roots. So be it. I stand my ground with preferring to seek thorough, three-dimensional understanding. And I stand especially with wanting to treat all my fellow human beings as fellow human beings, as Christ would have us do.
Unclear Objectives — At Best
When Martin Luther King, Jr., marched, he marched for specific legal change, as steps along a journey toward a just society. The current protests have little to no defined end or goal in sight.
Some protestors do have specific goals in mind, but not wise, helpful, or good ones: They’re advocating for permanent subjugation — by shaming, if nothing else — of white Americans.
This goal of subjugation has long been fed by progressives co-opting the race issue for political gain.
Too many whites make a grim mistake of thinking that’s all this is about. Racial discrimination is still real, however. It’s disgusting, disturbing, and dehumanizing to those who experience it, so the level of anger should be no surprise to anyone.
It seems likely that political motives can explain some progressive leaders’ silence toward the rioting and looting.
Meanwhile it’s not as clear as it should be that our president is making the vital distinction between protests and rioting or looting.
Some portion of the looting and destruction has been credibly linked to organized crime. Far from being part of the protests, it’s actually hurting African Americans in multiple ways. Some are obviously being harmed in their persons, their property and livelihoods. But it’s also badly distorting the most important message they need to get across.
Race Relations
Black Americans consistently tell white Americans we “don’t get it.” If we think we do, that’s just proof how much we don’t. Having listened to enough of them explain why they say so, I’m convinced they are exactly right, and that this contributes understandably to their frustration.
Yet a whole lot of white Americans are also tired of being told we’re “racist” when we’re doing our level best not to be. Seriously. If it’s so extremely hard for whites not to display at least some racism — as Black Americans say it is — why can’t we get some credit for at least attempting to do this hard thing?
With so little credit granted for trying, some white Americans are giving up in anger and choosing racism intentionally.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Many African Americans say they wish white Americans would just listen, for starters at least. Unfortunately, not enough whites are doing that.
Unfortunately also, too many blacks want something other than that for a first step. They’re looking for shaming, reparations going back to times of slavery, and other impossible or unhelpful outcomes.
Distorted code language infects the whole process. “Racial justice,” for example, should be a category of justice, period, and as such, every person of good will should desire it. But it’s been wrapped in “woke” language that associates it with the same shaming, reparations, and so on. Meanwhile real justice gets left in the dirt, including real justice for minorities.
Race relations have increasingly departed away from the gospel’s approach of dealing in guilt, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and toward a worldly approach dealing in shame, “canceling,” putdowns, and revenge. This is hardly surprising in a world that’s gradually forgetting the gospel.
Time to Think It Through?
That’s enough for now. Even a list that long, though, hardly begins to tell the story. There are at least four sides to it: Black, white, political, criminal, and more. But no, it’s worse: There are at least four sides to each of the four sides. And out of all that, what’s most visible to most Americans right now? The smashing and looting. How much good is that doing for race relations or racial justice?
You may ask how much good would a time out, or a circuit breaker do us now, when this has already been going on for decades. Am I calling for one more useless delay? No, not really. This is wishful thinking, remember. If I’m calling for any kind of delay, it’s the kind where we really grapple with all this, and push for real answers. Without any looting and violence going on to confuse us, by the way. (I faulted Barack Obama this week for taking the slow approach, but that’s because he needs to say the right things right now to help slow down the rioting that’s been confusing the process so badly.)
Wishful thinking. Doesn’t do much good, does it? Maybe not much — but maybe a little. I’d settle for this much: Let’s recognize there are real people living on every side of this incredibly difficult matter. Each one is fully human. Each one deserves a hearing. (The looters and burners deserve a very special type of hearing — in a courtroom, that is — but that’s another matter.) Let’s not assume we understand more than we do. Let’s be willing to take time to listen and learn.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.