What is the cause of the riots in Baltimore? I know of the death of a young man while in police custody. Why is it, though, that this event results in a riot? If your answer is that this is caused by race issues, think again. Baltimore is about two thirds African American. The mayor and most officials are black. The police department which is the target of the protests that preceded the riot has a majority of black officers. Remember this as you watch the media coverage that explains everything in terms of race. So why is there rioting?
For some people, the answer has to be that the riots are a chance to go looting. There is no way to tell, however, what percentage of the rioters are just out for personal gain.
For other people, the answer, strangely, may be that the riots are exciting and fun. They are a way to spice up daily life. These are the people who need help.
Then there are those who view the riots as a chance to get revenge on the police for real or imagined slights. This is a view that is intolerable in a free society. Rioting can never be the answer.
Finally, there are those who want to destroy the system. They seek chaos so as to get the chance to change things. They are a combination of revolutionary and gang member. It is gaining power through destruction.
The truth is that riots never succeed in achieving anything but more misery. It really does not matter why the rioting began. It only matters that it is stopped.
For some people, the answer has to be that the riots are a chance to go looting. There is no way to tell, however, what percentage of the rioters are just out for personal gain.
For other people, the answer, strangely, may be that the riots are exciting and fun. They are a way to spice up daily life. These are the people who need help.
Then there are those who view the riots as a chance to get revenge on the police for real or imagined slights. This is a view that is intolerable in a free society. Rioting can never be the answer.
Finally, there are those who want to destroy the system. They seek chaos so as to get the chance to change things. They are a combination of revolutionary and gang member. It is gaining power through destruction.
The truth is that riots never succeed in achieving anything but more misery. It really does not matter why the rioting began. It only matters that it is stopped.
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