NY Times; Man is Shot in Charlotte as Unrest Stretches to Second Night
There have been three more police-involved deadly shootings in the past week, and all victims have been African American males. In response to these shootings, Charlotte, North Carolina has been rioting for the past two days, and now, national guard members are being called in to help the police bring peace back to the city. Just today (Wednesday) a man has been shot in the riot, is what is said to be civilian on civilian violence. The issues of gun violence and police-involved deadly shootings of African American males have been steadily growing over the past few years, and with 3 shootings in one week, they seem to be reaching a peak. All three shootings are under investigation, which usually adds more tension, no matter what decision is reached. Additionally, the police are rarely found guilty in investigations, as just last Wednesday is was announced "that no charges would be filed against any of the officers involved in the Aug. 1 shooting death of Korryn Gaines or the shooting of her 5-year-old son". If officers can't be convicted for shooting a 5-year old, can they be expected to be convicted of anything? The riots in Charlotte may be just the beginning, as other affected cities could easily be inspired to follow suit. Both presidential candidates have expressed sympathy, but neither are saying much else about the issue. With these events in mind, consider these questions;
1. Do you think Obama has done enough, as an African American male himself, about these shooting epidemics? If not, how could he have done more?
2. If you were president, how would you address this phenomenon?
3. Do you think this growing epidemic will eventually bring down the NRA's influence in politics or do you think it is essentially unstoppable (as is has been up to this point)
4. How do you think the two presidential candidates will fare against this issue? For instance, if Trump became president, what do you think he would do about it? Hillary?
5. Do you think the House and the Senate will ever be able to agree on a gun control law?
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ReplyDeleteI believe Obama has done enough about shooting epidemics. He has shown his sympathy, released statements time and time again, and attempted to pass legislation on gun regulation. If Congress blocks him, that's out of his control--but he keeps working to pass gun control laws even toward the end of his term as president. If the next president were to be Hillary, I believe she would do her best to continue Obama's work to prevent further disasters. Trump, on the other hand, believes that Americans should have guns to protect themselves against those that cause the crimes. In my opinion, arming more people with guns will not help the cause. It may increase gun violence and only has potential to be successful after the initial shots have been fired. We need a preventative measure, and we can't delay it anymore.
ReplyDeleteObama has done all that he can do regarding these shooting epidemics, as his efforts are continually thwarted by the Second Amendment. His proposed legislations cannot do anything, since the right to bear arms reigns supreme over his powers; it must be extremely frustrating for him, as an African American, a president, and a human being, to be rendered powerless in these situations. Hillary, a Democrat, has been speaking out on these issues and will likely follow Obama's path, yet she will not be able to create any major restrictions on gun licensing due to the Second Amendment. Contrarily, Trump believes that "The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period." (donaldjtrump.com), and clearly will not do anything to regulate guns. While little can be done about gun regulation, we as a country can try to prevent these atrocities in other ways.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think the NRA is essentially unstoppable. Their founding ideal is considered to be a key amendment of the Constitution by many, and people enjoy being endowed rights. Furthermore, citizens like to flaunt the rights they receive as well, which in the second amendment means they shall not be prohibited from owning a gun. The NRA appeals to so many peoples' American pride and insecurity that they will never lose a substantial influx of support. The underlying problem is that most people will not give up the right to bear arms until everyone else in the world agrees to, too. Until they have the sole power to be able to defend themselves against an equal opponent if and when attacked, they will not return that entitlement to the government. Because this will never, ever happen at this point in history, the NRA will not lose its hold on the federal government and presidential proceedings anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI do not think the senate and house will agree on a gun control law because they are too set on their own ideals. Earlier this year in the house, dozens of Democratic lawmakers staged a nearly 26-hour sit-in on the House floor last week, staying overnight to demand action over gun control. However, Paul Ryan said a vote on gun measures wouldn't be happening any time soon. Both parties are doing whatever they can do get what they want, thus causing a stalemate in congress.
ReplyDeleteAs much as people will not like hearing this, we cannot only look at this as an act of police vs the black community. Two black cops killed a six year old unarmed white male this morning. The cops who killed him will be charged with murder because they had body cams. If we can have body cams on all cops, we can limit the amount of irresponsible decisions by police and hold them accountable for their actions.
ReplyDeleteI believe this isn't only a Black vs Police issue. Police across the country abuse their power without consequence against all races. In South Carolina a cop planted a taser on Walter Scott after being shot in the back multiple times (can be viewed here http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/us/south-carolina-officer-is-charged-with-murder-in-black-mans-death.html). This is another example of why we need to force officers to wear body cams at all times to prevent unethical acts and to get the truth behind many of the shooting that take place.
ReplyDeleteTrump has already publicly stated that he wants to follow a policy of stop and frisking while Hilary wants to set national standards to prevent incidents like this from happening. However, there are problems with Trump's stop and frisk method. It is controversial because many people believe this targets minorities and singles out many African Americans, many who have done nothing wrong. This starts a basis for racism and could definitely increase violence especially with the retaliation that will follow if Trump's methods are implemented.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the NRA's influence on lobbying will go down anytime soon. Some people are still very attached to their guns and can even be seen as an expression of freedom. If guns are restricted,then it is a restriction on freedom. But until the people are ready to let go of the second amendment, the NRA will be just as invincible as it was.
ReplyDeleteTrying to figure out if Obama has done enough about these police shootings is an interesting topic. If he was in the middle of his term, and he was reacting the way he was to these shootings as he is now, it wouldn't be enough, and he should be doing more. But now that the new president has been elected, he is doing enough. It's a lame duck period, he has less influence because his term is going to end soon, so there isn't much he can do other than speak against these shootings.
ReplyDeleteTrying to figure out if Obama has done enough about these police shootings is an interesting topic. If he was in the middle of his term, and he was reacting the way he was to these shootings as he is now, it wouldn't be enough, and he should be doing more. But now that the new president has been elected, he is doing enough. It's a lame duck period, he has less influence because his term is going to end soon, so there isn't much he can do other than speak against these shootings.
ReplyDeleteTrying to figure out if Obama has done enough about these police shootings is an interesting topic. If he was in the middle of his term, and he was reacting the way he was to these shootings as he is now, it wouldn't be enough, and he should be doing more. But now that the new president has been elected, he is doing enough. It's a lame duck period, he has less influence because his term is going to end soon, so there isn't much he can do other than speak against these shootings.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Obama has done all he can about these shooting epidemics. He has tried to regulate gun use as well as shown empathy and sorrow for the families of the lost ones. If I were president, I would act in a similar matter because I unfortunately do not believe much more can be done.
ReplyDeleteI believe Obama has done everything in power to solve this issue of racially motivated shooting. He has tried putting multiple legislation regarding gun control but has always been denied by the 2nd amendment. I could not see any other approach for future presidents as they would act the same and I believe there is not much to be done about this issue
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