Do Blacks Believe They Are Above The Law?

Discuss this on our boards!

Do Blacks Believe They Are Above The Law?
by Dave Gibson, Columnist

July 29, 2003

Dave Gibson The recent riots in Benton Harbor, Michigan follow an all too familiar pattern: When blacks feel wronged or somehow slighted, they also often feel justified in committing full-scale lawless, destructive acts. As in the case of the Benton Harbor riots, it is usually because a black suspect or defendant in a criminal case has been caught or convicted (police had been chasing a black motorcyclist who had been racing through the town's streets at speeds of 100 mph, when he crashed into a vacant building and was killed). I suppose the police are at fault for trying to apprehend dangerous criminals!

Throughout the 1960's, blacks rioted, looted, and burned down a great deal of this nation's cities. In many cases, they destroyed whole city blocks which included many merchants who were actually serving the black community. The 'riot' became an acceptable form of protest for a large portion of black Americans.

In the early 1990's, there were massive riots in Los Angeles (looting, vandalizing, arson, attacking anyone who had the misfortune of being white), all supposedly in defense of Rodney King-a career criminal and general dirtbag. After being continually shot at, the L.A. Fire Department could eventually do nothing but stand at the outskirts of South Central L.A. and watch in horror as their city and the businesses and homes of many hard working people were destroyed. Black leaders stood by and shook their collective finger at the white community in a collective 'I told you so'. Much of South Central has yet to recover from the destruction those riots caused. Many of the merchants who tried to service that community were burned out and looted and never returned. Black leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton then have the nerve to complain that there are not adequate shopping facilities in that community!

Several years ago (1988), here in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a particular event known as 'Greekfest' came to town. 'Greekfest' was billed as a gathering of black-only fraternities and sororities, which was held every Labor Day (it had previously been held in Myrtle Beach, S.C until it's rowdiness and destruction forced city leaders to ban the event). What was supposed to be a celebration of 'Afro-Greek' life...quickly turned into the worst riot this area has ever seen. After a night of fighting, looting oceanfront shops, and attacking Va. Beach police officers...Virginia State Police and National Guard units were mobilized. On the second night, police attempted to close the street and were met with stiff resistance. So many arrests were made that the tennis courts of a local country club were turned into a temporary jail. Local merchants were left with looted shops, hotel rooms filled with stolen merchandise were ransacked, and police officers were injured. The story made national headlines and even the liberal Michael Kingsley agreed that the police had acted appropriately. NAACP officials, of course quickly descended upon the area and chastised the police and local officials.

The University of Central Florida is releasing the results of a study which looked at the rates of arrest and incarceration for blacks in Orange County, Fl. While blacks represent 18% of that area's population, they also account for 40% of arrests and 50 to 60% of the county's inmate population. Gary Siplin, a black Democratic state senator, in response to this study said: "I think there's something inherently wrong about arresting and detaining more blacks than anybody else". The black Orange County Commissioner, Homer Hartage said: "Not only are more of them being arrested, they're staying in there longer. Something is wrong". Something is definitely wrong, however, I don't believe that Mr. Siplin nor Mr. Hartage would like to hear a true, though painful explanation for this. Black officials and political leaders continue to blame the high arrest and imprisonment rate of blacks on 'racist cops'. Never examining their own communities with the same scrutiny reserved for hard working, police officers, thus permanently dooming their communities.

I will never forget a scene which unfolded on national television during the sickening O.J. Simpson trial. A news crew had staked out an L.A. black-owned hair salon, in anticipation of the jury's decision. When the 'not guilty' verdict was read, the black women jumped out of their chairs, hugging, screaming, and rejoicing in the fact that a murderer was about to walk away from punishment. That was the moment I realized that much of this country was lost. That's when I knew what we as a nation, both black and white were facing...Total chaos.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, which gave the U.S. Government 'stamp of approval' to the racist policy of 'affirmative action', will undoubtedly help to further the belief amongst blacks that for them...The rules by which most of us must live, simply do not apply. If we as a country, do not wake up to the fact that a large portion of the black community does not believe that they are subject to the basic rules and laws which govern society...We, both black and white are headed for destruction. ***

Photo of Dave Gibson courtesy of staff files