That is not to say that every person is equal to every other person. Clearly they are not. Whether considering intelligence, appearance, talent, contribution, or attitude, we are each very unique, very different, very ‘unequal.’
And I say, “Viva la difference!”
But in terms of the way we treat each other, or ought to treat each other, I do believe in equality. Everyone is worthy of the same respect – until they prove otherwise.
And how might someone prove otherwise?
In general, they do so by not according equal respect to others. Some of these displays of disrespect are called ‘crimes,’ and one of them known as ‘murder’ is a particularly bad one.
It doesn’t much matter what race, religion, or culture a person is. Killing people is not nice.
It seems like a simple enough rule: Thou Shall Not Kill. And yet there is all too much killing going on in the world today. Some of it justified, some of it not, all of it regrettable.
This killing business is very unpleasant, and avoiding it is a pretty good idea. But sometimes it can’t be avoided.
The news media makes it their business to thrust unpleasant matters into our otherwise peaceful lives.
There is an old saying in the news industry, “If it bleeds it leads.” In other words, violent crimes are given top billing because they sell more.
But bleeding is not enough.
Unfortunately, there is too much blood to go around, and so the news has become more selective. The national media in particular chooses between ‘worthy’ victims and ‘unworthy’ victims.
The most recent example is the killing of Michael Brown, and the ensuing riots in Ferguson, Missouri.
It was a terrible event, followed by a senseless reaction.
But one cannot help but wonder if there would have been any rioting at all if not for the media and provocateurs stirring up trouble.
And what is the story that sells?
Basically it is this: Black people are in danger of being killed by white people.
A frightening prospect to a nation with a history of race based slavery and a collective conscious to distance itself from past wrongs. And an especially frightening prospect if one happens to be a black male.
Since there are almost six times as many whites as there are blacks in America, one would expect to find a disproportionate number of black males murdered by white people. But the facts show just the opposite.
Consider the following events from the past month:
7/18- Jimmie Norman, white male murdered by black male.
7/18- Terry Taylor, white male murdered by black male.
7/17- Cindy Raygoza, white female murdered by black male.
7/11- Luis Aguilar, 91 year old hispanic male murdered by black male.
7/10- Brittany Simpson, white female murdered by black male.
7/6- Sarah Goode, white female murdered by black male.
7/6- Jeffrey Westerfield, white male murdered by black male.
7/5- Perry Renn, white male murdered by black male.
7/3- Laurey Kennedy, white female still in coma from beating by black male.
7/3 Eric Mollet, white male murdered by black male.
7/2 Rupert Anderson, white male murdered by black male.
7/2 Jennifer Kingeter, white female murdered by black male.
6/30 Jim Brennan, white male, murdered by black male.
6/29 Paul Shephard, white male, murdered by black male.
6/27 Shirley Barone, white female, murdered by black male.
6/27 Penelope Spencer, white female, murdered by black male.
6/27 Inga Evans, white female, murdered by black male.
6/26 Jake Rameau, white male, murdered by black male.
6/25 Gina Burger, white female, murdered by black male.
6/24 Nathan Dasher, white male, murdered by black male.
6/22 Jonathan Price, white male, murdered by black male.
6/20 John Whitmore, white male, murdered by black male.
6/18 John Yingling,white male, murdered by black male.
6/17 Allyn Reeves, white male, murdered by black male.
6/15 Michael Beaver, white male, murdered by black male.
6/11 Angela Cook, white female, murdered by black male.
6/11 Nathan Hall, white male, murdered by black male.
6/7 Harry Briggs, white male, murdered by black male.
6/5 Laura Bachman, white female, murdered by black male.
6/2 Robert Mohler, white male, murdered by black male.
6/1 William Headley, white male, murdered by black male.
The sheer number of similar tragedies would seem to be a story in itself, but none of these incidents became national news items, nor did any beget rioting in the streets.
Yes the shooting of Michael Brown was also a tragedy. But the real tragedy is that his death is used to sell a story that is not true. And perhaps even more tragic, is how many people buy it.
