How do we heal after the Ferguson grand jury decision?

Wisdom. Or a lack thereof. Wisdom to see beyond one's ethnicity. Wisdom to voice protests in a civilized manner. Wisdom to realize one's actions and their impacts on others. Until we as society grow in such wisdom, exercise self-control, and educate our future, all we can do is brace ourselves and show love to those around with hopes of love in return. RIP Michael Brown

I am pro-gun and I have also contributed to Ben Carson's campaign. He is an independent, but he also understands that at this time in history he doesn't stand a chance of being nominated and elected president unless he aligns himself with the Republican Party. Of all the candidates who may run, I see him as being the best choice at this time. It would be nice to have a fresher face in Washington.

PO1 (Join to see), maybe if these communities embraced this philosophy before tragedy, Americans wouldn't be hearing about it now. Nobody gives a damn about Michael Brown, as a person. Society doesn't know anything about this guy, and collectively, we don't care. Call a spade a spade. He was a thug who decided that the law didn't apply to him. The media has taken an idea and run with it, using this loser's name as a symbol of systematic prejudice, rather than a consequence of a broken, unequal, individualistic society.

GySgt William Hardy - To quote Forrest Gump "stupid is as stupid does!!"

If it bleeds, it reads...Misery loves company. So true and yet so sad.

As long as there is racial tension that divides us as a species, there will discontent and a disconnect. We all need to identify what our brothers and sisters are going through before we can fix it. The huge economic divide plays a small role as well. That isn't going to fix itself, but I think slowly eliminating the welfare system would force many folks on the govt dole to find work, which would grow this country.

I have seen a few news clips of blacks getting in other blacks faces at these riots and telling them to get their heads out to the point where it almost got ugly.I totaly respect people like this who arent afraid to stand up, be different than a good portion and speak their minds.I think I would have gotten myself in trouble by going to the person I am referring to and giving him a hug.

These folks displayed courage:

SSG Brad Porter, you and the wife make a beautiful couple. She's gorgeous!
And the fact is, she's unique. She's a strong female who frankly, doesn't give a shit what anybody else thinks. If only everybody could feel that way.
But the reality is: many people do. I've dated black men. But the fact that we have to disclose that, well, speaks volumes. Rather than say we've dated or married awesome human beings isn't good enough. We have to say mention their race, in relation to our own. It says something about how American society, and our place within it. We can't describe each other as great women or men, wives or husbands, girlfriends or boyfriends. We have to include racial heritage to legitimize some warped linkage of tolerance. It's pretty depressing.

Yes, I do know. I get the raised eyebrow as soon as I mention that I'm from Alabama. I should just carry a sign saying "Automatic Racist. Anything I Say Is A Lie."

SSG (Join to see), you are right when you allude to prisms. As fragile as we are as complex, we have a society much like a kaleidoscope. Our society/cultures are socially constructed prisms, each having constructed categories of difference and inequality such as race, ethnicity, social class, religion, age, sexuality, shape, gender, ability/disability, racism, sexism, elitist, domination, submission, oppression, masculine, feminine, privileged/under privileged and I could go on. I am surrounded by intellectuals in this forum, you can probably come up with a whole lot more.

As fascinating as it was seeing the ray of light passing through the prisms of
a kaleidoscope, it reminds us that we deal with multiple social identities and that each slight turn of the kaleidoscope creates a multitude of life experiences. Our lives are a flowing and constantly changing array of patterns, as we too find ourselves that each individual life experiences are unique and flowing.

How do we identify with our own identities and categories? How did these social constructs mold our experiences? Did these prisms create privileges, advantages or disadvantages for you? Carefully consider how these prisms created your life experiences and the structure you live in today.

If you look at us today, we're are all living this complexity of problematic relationships full of human subjectivity while objectifying and stereotyping those that are different from ourselves. Here's an example: Military spouses who look to exercise their authority and control over wives of lesser ranked soldiers based on their spouse's rank; we as service members tend to look at civilians, those specifically who've never served, quite differently because they'll never "get it"; we still have SHARP classes because the attitudes of objectifying women began long ago and it's not going to get better overnight; enlisted see officers getting away with murder while enlisted are punished over the slightest infraction; different PRT standards for men and women; introduction of women in the military into male only-dominated MOS's. Makes you think doesn't it?

You can see where this is going, you get the idea and it keeps going, much like in our society today. As a society of like-minded, to an extent, individuals, living in a military culture, a "military community". Is this not a divisive term as well?

I don't suggest we are doomed to follow one of these paths laid out in one of these social prisms, it's more of a frame, a structure. We're still individuals, we have a choice to accept them or change them. So if we can't change it (prisms) then we can most certainly change ourselves. It been said if we don't like what we see, we change it, we can do something and it's better than nothing otherwise we live in our complacency.

In terms of a sociological perspective, what is inevitable about the categories above and their meanings? nothing. Those meanings are not inherent properties of individuals. They are simply categories deriving their existence and significance by our own interactions.

SSG (Join to see) the only race I belong to is the human race. Why label ourselves to set us apart from each other?

SSG Daniel Deiler, I too had a issue with the heritage month celebrations. I do feel that all minority groups deserved to be recognized, remembered and celebrated for their contributions and service. However my take it on it was, as if the "powers that be" were saying "look, sorry for all the indiscretions, bigotry, racism that you all endured, but we're going to make it all up to you during the year and give you the recognition you deserve. Thank you for your service and again sorry and enjoy the festivities in your honor".

This is my opinion, no one else's. If you didn't feel that way, great, no problem. It's just me that had the issue with it.

SSG (Join to see) - very good point! I never had thought of it from that angle but certainly can see that it can be interpreted that way...like some sort of consolation prize.

A travesty of justice. Cop does his job and loses his career over it.

I totally agree, sir. What a shame.

SGT Jinger Jarrett, thank you for the response. If you haven't done anything wrong, then you do not require forgiveness. I undoubtedly agree with Jesus' statements, and I am proud to be a Christian. I believe that our military core values require that we treat everyone fairly, regardless of where they are from, what they look like, or what their beliefs may be.

I have seen in many cases like this that the rioting afterwards doesn't seem to be connected to the feelings of injustice but is just a chance to steal and destroy out of maybe frustration with life in general. These rioters need love and have a poor way of showing their helplessness.

Agreed SGT Hanner; I am in the same boat...

I have a t-shirt that reads...

"You know that little thing in your mind that tells you not to say things that pop into your head? Yeah - I don't have one of those..."

PO2 Steven Erickson I need a sign with that inscription for my office....to serve as a warning to others.

PO2 Steven Erickson, that's funny.

Yes I would SFC Mark Merino. Like my HMMWV in Iraq, after we put all these gee-whiz, digital electronic, contraptions in there, where the hell does the driver sit?? :-)

SFC Mark Merino Upvote for the Starship Troopers reference.

The media coverage of this pisses me off so much. If anything THEY shaped public opinion, THEY shaped the narrative and THEY exacerbated the situation.

Personal cameras which are being used by some departments would have cleared this entire issue. I know they are expensive for the departments, but they need to start making them mandatory.

It was the Grand Jury's Decision , people should respect that. They should protest if they want, but those who chose to Christmas shop early and illegally like that, they should have tased every single one and put them in jail, because that has nothing to do with the decision.

SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, I honestly do not understand the victim mentality. As you can see, I'm obviously a minority. Growing up, I faced my share of racism. But one thing my parents taught me is that whatever becomes of me, is on my shoulders and no one else's. Because I'm not white, I was going to have to work harder, be better because I was already starting off at a disadvantage.

How much is the media to blame? Even the POTUS made a statement, and I swear, it was like he was praising the activisim...he didn't condone the violence, did anyone else catch the speech? Am I off base by much?

He loves the spot light...and is quick to raise a brow on conservatives. And I'm right of middle...not a far righty.

CPT (Join to see), I can definitely agree with sitting down face to face and talking about things, whatever the subject may be, over a beer or similar. Truly, that is what I greatly desire for all although I know there are many who just don't care for peace. THAT greatly saddens me. I am willing to extend an invitation to you if you are ever in the Fort Hood area.

SSG (Join to see) sounds like a plan, Brotha !!

SGT Jinger Jarrett My apologies. I did not mean to vote you down on that by any means. I guess I hit it by accident attempting to scroll the screen. I removed it. I did NOT disagree with your point.

As the for the "happy liberal nonsense". I think you misunderstand, I am saying that people SHOULD be seen as people and not as colors or races. No preferential treatments should be given to either side nor demanded by either side. In this particular case, those rioting need to see that a white cop killing a black kid kid isn't one sided as there have been black cops who killed white kids. You can't be outraged about one and not the other without being racially motivated. Again, I'm sorry for the down vote, it really was an accident. I only post on small screen mobile. :(