Re: Again?...Desensitization Commence

After posting just the bare information, I just couldn't help but have more thoughts on this situation.


Watching the videos and reading the articles makes this situation just unreal to me (notice the label: Beyond My Comprehension)...



The story of this shooting bothers me...obviously.

Obviously, the fact that the young man was shot for no reason bothers me. He was only a few months younger than I am. Obviously, the fact that the shooting was in a public transportation hub bothers me. "Reckless" is an understatement. Obviously, the fact that the officer claims that it was an accident BOTHERS me. He thought he was shooting his taser? Why would he taze him anyway? He was cuffed, laying on his stomach...

Oscar Grant, the man shot in Oakland...22 yrs old.
Amadou Diallo, shot by police in the Bronx in 99...23 yrs old.
Shawn Bell shot by police in Queens in 06...23 yrs old.


What bothers me most is that the public seems to be desensitized to situations like this. And just so I'm clear, I'm not surprised at the reaction of desensitization and, actually, I'm not upset with the masses for becoming desensitized. I feel as though, to equal and simultaneous extents, the main stream desensitizes the whole while individuals fight AND/OR allow desensitization.

Idealism just will not work here. Let's be realistic. I'm upset with the fact that incidents like this continuously occur (why?) and am upset with the possibility that our consciousness can, at some point, become immune to reacting to excessive force incidents--like the body's immunity to "chicken pox" or a bacteria's immunity to an antibiotic. I'm looking beyond today. What are the long-term implications of actions like this?

DESENSITIZE –verb (used with object), -tized, -tiz⋅ing.
1. to lessen the sensitiveness of.
2. to make indifferent, unaware, or the like, in feeling.

Even in my lack of reaction, I am upset. I am upset that I am not MORE upset. It's hard to be extremely upset when you are not surprised by something. Instead, I am upset, mixed with a lot of disappointment.

With all of the violence that we are constantly bombarded with, how do we feel anything?

One of the most striking things about this is how young this man was before the prime of his liwas stripped from him--like Diallo and Bell. Why are we "getting used to" young men shot and killed by police?

I apologize for the rant-y-ness of this post and how unorganized it may be...

I feel like I have to address the racial implications of this case-- but not to bring up the fact that Oscar Grant, Diallo and Bell were of a darker complexion. My idealistic side would have me believe that these incidents occur across racial lines when put into the context of the entire country, where this is infact a vast majority. I don't want to hear about a white, Asian, etc. person having this happen to them. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE...but why does it just seem to happen to us?

I'm sure it happens with other groups, but it doesn't get spread across the airwaves of mass media. Are we a spectacle, a show for everyone to look at and think "...again?" And the more that "...again?" happens, the increased likelihood that we'll feel nothing from it. Right?

The day when no one reacts to the brutal killing of an innocent person, regardless of his stratified group, is the day when all humanity has experienced the height of suffering and self-abuse. When numbing occurs when the body is extremely cold or extremely hot, numbing that occurs after flesh is burned or cut, numbing that occurs when love is betrayed, are all caused by external entities. When those externals are removed, prevented or eliminated, numbing does also. However, the numbing that occurs when failure is an accepted aspect of life, the numbing that occurs when one's actions are gauged, not based on personal asperations, but based on the failures of others, all exist internally. These internal entities cannot simply be removed. They need to be extracted carefully, piece-by-piece. Otherwise, the foundation that has been invaded will exist severely damaged. Internal entities of self-control (or coping) serve as a mechanism for dealing with life and fills a gap. Swiftly removing a coping mechanism away that helps a person "deal", places them at a disadvantage--mentally, emotionally and in some cases, physically.

So America cannot and will not just stop the process of glorified violence and destruction because it fills the gaps in our culture. America needs to be weened off of this drug--like a consciousness rehabilitation.

When we are numb from self-inflicted pain, no "pain" will exist, but damage will persist.

So a part of me is relieved that people are rioting and 60 people addressed the BART Board about this because it means that the pain is still sharp enough to cause a reaction, not because pain is good, but because pain needs to cause a reaction so that a "teachable moment" is realized.

At what point will we stop abusing ourselves? Pain is the America's drug of choice...and we will OD--but when?

Below is an article on the resignation of the officer who shot the 22 year-old man. I'll be following the outcomes of this. I don't know about you...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/07/BART.shooting/index.html?iref=newssearch

Another video highlighting the riots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFsYYsB9B8k

I think I got that monkey off my back...I think.



...I didn't even discuss police brutality!!

I didn't discuss what changes could reform the way that law enforcement behaves, organizes, ranks itself and can ultimately revamp the way that law enforcement is perceived by the public!

AHHH...I feel unfulfilled by this post. The monkey is now a gorilla...



Another time...