It Continues

We’ve been instructed to avoid public gatherings, and I’m not that interested in direct confrontation on the issues being promoted by many current protesters, so I won’t be attending these events in person. However, I would like to hear what Mr. Diallo or other local protest organizers have to say about police violence here in our local community.

I am aware of and keep a close eye on police killings of citizens, both criminals and innocent alike. William Williams and Aaron Brousard immediately come to mind. But we haven’t had that problem under the current administration, as we had so many problems under other recent sheriffs like beating handcuffed suspects and ride along family members going armed to investigations and shooting themselves in the leg.

That said, what do the leaders of this protest movement actually want from Greencastle and Putnam County right now? Perhaps one of them could write an article for the paper so we can hear what they’re actually asking for, and why they think it’s necessary given the current state of our community.

Is this the Black Lives Matter group or one of its affiliates?

Was it sponsored by the university?

Was there any particular reason why they protested in Greencastle and didn't get on a bus for Kenosha? They might be more effective in Kenosha if they wanted to make their presence known or get on television.

Is there a link where we might get to view the protest on the internet? I'd really like to see a Greencastle protest, but I'm always at work or trying to help someone, so I miss them.

Yawn.

The least they could do is pick better martyrs.

Kind of hard to get worked up about criminal thugs getting shot by cops...or 17yr old kids... when the criminal thugs are the ones starting stuff.

At first, I thought that they were there chanting "Black Lives Matter" in honor of recently fallen Officer and African American, Tamarris Bohannon who was murdered in St. Louis. However, I read the description and I'm sadly mistaken. It's okay though, I know that the WNBA will spell out his name on their clothing like they did for Blake. Ya know, the rapist that was shot and killed by police. Wait, what happened to #metoo?! Doesn't apply here? Surely, they will do the same for a slain African American Officer, right?

Careful techphcy. I caught some backlash over asking simple questions. Triggered RSOTS in 3....2....1...

Are these demonstrators bussed in like the protestors at other cities? Curious, the leader I have never heard of before

Haha Hmmmm. Not triggered at all. You're completely entitled to your opinion. No matter how moronic it is. That's the beauty of this country.

It's really pretty simple - you either think black lives matter or you don't. You're either anti-facist or you're not. You're either against police brutality or not. These people are not against the police; they are calling attention to the issue of police brutality. The majority of police officers understand and agree with this; they understand they are the police, not the judge, jury, and executioner.

Unbiased, well said and nothing to disagree with. You are spot on but left off something that makes me curious. Are you against police being shot or for police being shot. I note your comment was a response to the comments above but you left out the situation in St Louis. Support it or against it?

I support PEACEFUL protests, such as this seemed to be. Being a college town as far as the people at this being local who knows. But since freedom of speech does work both ways blue lives matter and I support funding the police because even though there have been a few bad apples the MAJORITY of our local law enforcement do a fine job. I hear there are people of color in Kenosha, and Hurricane ravaged places in Texas and Louisiana that could use some extra support. Maybe the NBA/NFL as well could put so extra effort there! JS

beg - I am totally against violence toward police and believe they absolutely can protect themselves and each other whenever necessary. I want them to be better selected and trained to react with the appropriate level of force needed in a situation. And I want the good officers - and I believe this is the majority - to be able to report the bad apples without repercussions. Policing is an incredibly tough job and not everyone is cut out for it or goes into it to serve and protect the public. If hiring and training practices don't weed out the bad ones, it's up the the rest of the team to do so.

https://www.depauwtigers.com/information/directory/bios/Diallo_Therno?view=bio

https://twitter.com/diallot_?s=09

I don’t care who I trigger. I just want to be informed. The leader named in the article is a defense coach for DePauw, and that’s fine with me. I just wonder what they’re protesting. The article stated “police violence” which there has been quite little of locally as of late. If there is some other reason for their protest I would like to be informed of it, preferably directly from the leadership.

techphcy - They are protesting police violence in general and specifically against people of color, throughout this country. The point is to bring attention to the issue, even when it's not directly affecting Putnam County at this moment. And to let people of color know that this community supports them too. I'm not part of the group and hopefully someone who is will be able to give you a better answer.

Don't break the law. Be RESPECTFUL. Won't have to worry about Police Brutality. It IS that easy.

There have been a combination of Depauw students/faculty and community members. Opinions on specific subjects will vary based on the person, as we are all individual people. We have been working along side our local police department, and they really have been very cooperative. We acknowledge and appreciate their support. As far as our message, it’s pretty clear, our country is in a state of dispare and we as a community get to live within the privilege of a small, well funded town. We are showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and those who have lost their lives to the hands of police brutality. We are also taking this opportunity to try to build bonds between the locals and the students. The goal is to make the community as a whole aware that there are people who care about the issues minorities face.

Tjarboe50, that sounds good in theory but unfortunately that isn't even close to being true. Being a minority and obeying the law / complying with police orders does not protect you from police brutality. Just read the news (the actual news, not Fox propaganda).

We get it. Maybe if people both black and white, would not commit crimes this wouldn't be a problem. Black Lives Matter is just an excuse to boo hoo about a black criminal who doesn't obey the police. Stop running, stop pointing your gun and stop and face the music. There are far more black criminals in the world right now.

Queen53 - Tell me again, what crime was Breonna Taylor committing? Or Tamir Rice? Or many others? "There are far more black criminals in the world right now." Where did you get that little racist, non-factual gem from?

After talking to some of the other people involved w/ the protests, we decided to give y’all the opportunity to come ask questions and discuss this in a public forum. If y’all actually have questions/concerns with the Black Lives Matter Movement/ Greencastle protests, and you’re not just trolling in the comment section, we can set a time and a place. Let’s move away from the anonymity of internet banter and social media propaganda, in order to better educate ourselves and help our neighbors. This meeting will consist of two or three people from our group, and will give you the opportunity to ask as many questions as your heart desires. This will be a civil discussion. Will be posting a time and place later, assuming y’all ACTUALLY want answers and aren’t just internet warriors.

Kayce,

I am confident you won't have to schedule a meeting!

Didn't know the local protest was sponsored by DePauw or members of its staff.

Out of respect for the people who have worked hard to make Greencastle, according to KJK, a so-called small, well-funded and privileged place to live, I'll pass on the invitation and find a more productive way to spend my time.

It’s not being sponsored by depauw what so ever. It’s a group of people fighting towards the same goal. We come from all walks of life. And I’m not surprised by your lack of interest. The invitation is still open. But we all knew that no one really wanted to educate themselves. It’s easier for you to sit complacently with your ignorance, rather than addressing it within yourself.

If you’re so sure that Putnam County’s privileged rednecks are not interested in changing their minds, it sounds like your protests are not in good faith. Keeping an open mind works both ways, and if you can’t realize that there’s tons of middle ground and other opinions between yours and those you so despise, it sounds like a meeting with the “panel” could be an opportunity for escalation and an unfortunate ending.

This “olive branch” ends up reading like bait to get some MAGA head isolated and scream at him.

Kayce.jean.kean - LOL.

"But we all knew that no one really wanted to educate themselves. It’s easier for you to sit complacently with your ignorance, rather than addressing it within yourself."

It might have something to do with the fact that your presentation gives clear notice that you are wanting to finger-wag at people and tell them what their faults are (according to you and your fellow travelers)... and most people don't feel like being lectured by a group of people that have yet to really experience life and believe they know more than they really do.

It's just a guess...

You can attempt to paint the picture as if I was anything but friendly. But it’s an awfully convenient scapegoat. The previous comments mentioned “wanting answers”. If you guys actually wanted answers, rather than to cast judgements based on your own prejudices, you would come and talk about it. I’m not doing this as an “olive branch”, I’m doing it to show that that despite your undying need for an explanation, you’re still coming up with excuses for why you can’t have a real life conversation about it. I’m sorry you feel as though you’re being “trapped.” However, I implore you to look inside yourself, and ask what is is you’re really scared of. Is it being told information that contradicts your narrative? Is it maybe the fact that you’d have to step out of the comforts of anonymity? If you feel attacked by anything I’m saying, then maybe it’s because internally you know that the shoe fits.

And to go as far as assuming that the panel would consist of only “inexperienced” youths who think they know everything is blatantly wrong. While yes, I personally am a young adult (while you know nothing about me or my experiences, which is hilarious), the other two people are middle aged men. And if you really think that 3 people are going to gather a group to entice aggression, you’re more ignorant than I thought. At this point you’re just grasping for straw.

Kaycee,

I understand the intent of your communication and agree that the positions above may be an excuse, I have to agree in principle.

I do know you and have great respect for you. Unfortunately, in your willingness to have conversation, you, in essence, leave the impression you want to preach at people, not have a real conversation.

1. That creates an opportunity for an excuse to be used.

2. Creates impression that you really aren't interested in having a 2 way conversation.

Hope this helps

Facts of the Matter:

1: KJK offered a set down to answer any and all questions that the posters on here might have.

2: Instead of accepting this invitation, these same "open minded" posters are diverting / deflecting to dodge facing the issues they "know so much about".

3: If you try and paint KJK as anything but friendly and willing to open a dialogue then you throw any credibility out the window on any and all articles you reply to on here.

I can absolutely have a conversation about this issue, but I don’t think *you* really want to.

See how that works?

So you will be showing up Tech?

Just as President Reagan once said about the liberal left, "It's not that they are ignorant, it's just they know so much that isn't so".

KJK / RSOTS -

As "beg" & "tchphcy" pointed out - the presentation of the invitation is one that reinforces the idea that KJK & Co. simply wish to lecture to people, whether that was the intent or not.

That is why I specifically quoted KJK's post.

Sometimes comprehension can be difficult (or nigh impossible for RSOTS):

"but we all knew" = foregone conclusion. Prejudice.

"no one really wanted to educate themselves" = you (the collective on the other side of KJK & Co.) are stupid.

"It's easier for you to sit complacently" = (collective) You are lazy and uninterested in effort.

That's not me painting you as unfriendly, dear... that is you being a scold.

But maybe you were just trying to motivate people? (Hint: It ain't gonna work like that.)

Or maybe you are trying to shame them into action? (That never really works too well either.)

Maybe you should try reaching people where there is common ground:

1) Police brutality (against ANYONE regardless of descriptor) is a bad thing. Most people would agree that bad cops need to go and no-knock warrants are a danger to society. However, most people also understand that resisting arrest, fighting the cops, and other bad behavior will likely result in use of force by the cops. Color-mindedness not needed.

2) Fostering/developing common ground between DePauw students and locals is a noble goal...and I wish you luck. Its been an issue for 40+ years that I know of and I am sure that it was so way before I arrived. Color-mindedness not needed.

3) There is nothing wrong about making the community aware that there are people who care about "the issues that minorities face". Just don't try to force others to care to the extent that you do. Be an advocate, not a zealot. (Here you can be as color-minded as you wish...but keep in mind that you are fencing yourself in when you do, and its those inside the fence that are exclusionary not those outside of it.)

4) When you claim that you stand in solidarity with an avowed Communist organization (BLM) - you will not likely gain a lot of sympathy or support regardless of your other noble goals.

RSOTS - in a special note for you:

BWA-HA-HA-HAAAAA!!!! That you think you can hand out credentials of credibility to anyone is hilarious!

You can choose to interpret and nitpick my words and intentions however you’d like. I see it as more of a “call to action” for all of us. While yes, we all disagree, surely there is a way we can come together and understand the issues at hand. Everything after my invitation is directed specifically to those who are making excuses for themselves, not the “opposition” as a whole. Again, you can try and try to manipulate the context, but the invitation remains the same. Let’s take a moment to put the questions and concerns to rest, in a civil, public setting.

If anyone would show up at the discussion to educate themselves on the issues at hand, they would be labeled racists. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in now. Anyone who holds a different view is considered the enemy and given what is going on around the country with all of these "peaceful protests," I can see this turning angry and possibly violent quickly. I think your invitation is really just asking for trouble.

RSOTS: good thing you’re not the decider.

again back to being scared of a conversation with 3 people? I know that atleast on our end, we are perfectly capable of maintaining a civil conversation. And being uneducated doesn’t make you racist, just ignorant. This opportunity isn’t for people who just want to come and argue. Just giving people the platform to come get the answers they were asking for.

I would encourage you not call people ignorant. Not sure you would like that either. What if, from their perspective, they think you are uneducated, therefore, ignorant?

Why label people. Just leave it at I would love to have a conversation. The rest is not relevant to the goal you have.

I am excited for you and think it was great to offer time for a conversation. Keep yourself focused on that and don't get distracted by off message responses made by others that then lead you to labeling the people you want as audience and would love to have them change their perspectives.

Basic teaching regarding communication skills. Plus, in today's hyper sensitive world, it is even more important.

This isn't about parcing your words or downgrading your goal. I know you well and just want you to succeed.

Beg, being uneducated is the definition of ignorant. So that was actually a great word to use. Stop trying to nit pic ever word she says. Also, if you know her so well, why not reach out to her to "coach" her directly instead of using the comment section of the newspaper....seems odd and kinda creepy.

What we see here is the innate behavior of the woke. It’s just not possible to make a simple statement to the ignorant masses without coming off as an elitist, because they actually see themselves as better human beings than the rest of us.

“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the 'basket of deplorables'. Right?” Clinton said to applause and laughter from the crowd of supporters at an LGBT for Hillary fundraiser where Barbra Streisand performed. “The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic — you name it.”

This is what the woke think of the rest of us. Deplorable Trump supporters. GW Bush took a lot of heat for his “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” statement, but that’s exactly what we’re facing right now.

Tech - so woke is a bad thing? Woke: aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).

Shouldn't we all strive to be better citizens? Stop politicizing something that we should all be doing anyway. Everything is not Right or Left.

BJCP76

You missed the point. I am guessing you don't want to be called ignorant and wouldn't respond well to someone who did.

Maybe I was too passive/ aggressive but I posted here because I thought others who name call, hate on, etc might benefit also.

I feel comfortable I never cut her down or labeled her. As for this issue, we are now in a circle so will move on.

Bigotry is not a right/ left issue. It is a human issue. Wanted to end on a point of agreement between us. I think we can agree on this and move on.

When I say ignorant I don’t mean it as an offensive term. I mean it very literally. “lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.“ Very genuinely just a difference in preferred terminology

Yep, that's Putnam County, especially Greencastle: small, well-funded, privileged, ignorant and now unsophisticated. How in the future will this oasis of whiteness ever get a lick of respectability now that we've been exposed. To quote the Banner Graphic, "It Continues".