NO OTHERS NEED APPLY: Arguably, a slightly odd headline!

TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

Part 2—No others seem to matter:
We'll have to admit it. At least to us, it seemed like a slightly odd headline.

It appeared on Sunday, March 18, in the Washington Post's Outlook section. It stretched across the top of Outlook's page 3.

We thought the headline was slightly odd. Slightly oddly, the headline said this:
Police are still killing black people. Why don't we notice?
In fairness, that headline begins with an accurate statement. The full stack of the Post's headlines that day said this:
Police are still killing black people. Why don't we notice?
The Post's Wesley Lowery says activists, reporters and the zeitgeist have moved on
Today, online, the pair of headlines are slightly different. So you can perform your usual full meditation, we present those headlines here:
Police are still killing black people. Why isn’t it news anymore?
The activism never stopped. But the attention to it vanished.
As fate would have it, Stephon Clark was shot and killed by two Sacramento police officers on the evening of March 18, mere hours after that hard-copy headline appeared. And Clark's death has been treated as news, for an array of reasons.

Having said that, let us also say this. That morning, we thought that headline in the Washington Post was perhaps slightly odd, but also perhaps instructive. Thoughtfully, we'll explain why.

In our view, the headline basically captured the point of Wes Lowery's 1449-word essay. Lowery never exactly said that only one type of decedent need apply in the matter of police shootings. But the editor who penned that headline basically captured his drift.

Example:

In the course of his essay, Lowery named sixteen people who had famously or semi-famously been the victims of some sort of alleged or actual police misconduct. But only one of these sixteen names was borne by one of The Others:
Cited in Lowery's essay:
Edward Minguela
Rodney King
Alton Sterling
Michael Brown
Eric Garner
Sandra Bland
Philando Castile
Johnnie Jermaine Rush
Henry Louis Gates
Trayvon Martin
Jordan Edwards
Daniel Shaver
Tamir Rice
Walter Scott
Freddie Gray
Laquan McDonald
Need the others even apply? Only one of their number was cited this day. We'll guess that you can puzzle out which of those names it is.

Essentially, Lowery's essay asked a question, just as that headline implied. His essay asked why black victims of real or apparent police misconduct weren't getting a lot of press coverage any more.

The headline made it sound like Lowery was only speaking about police killings. That wasn't precisely the case, but we'd say it was close enough for mainstream press corps work.

"Police are still killing black people. Why isn’t it news anymore?" In principle, that's a perfectly sensible question, based upon a perfectly accurate statement of fact.

A person could perhaps and possibly say that the headline may be a bit "loaded." But the headline stated an accurate fact and, in theory at least, there are no invalid questions.

So how about it? Why wasn't it news any more when police kill black people? In his discussion, Lowery placed a lot of blame on the mountains of attention being paid to the conduct of Donald J. Trump.

But as the headline indicated, his emphasis— and, apparently, his interest—clearly lay on the killing of "black people," full stop, as seen in this passage:
LOWERY (3/18/18): [U]nlike President Barack Obama, Trump isn't interested in police reform...

And unlike Obama, who was immediately and persistently asked to weigh in on issues of race and policing—from Henry Louis Gates's arrest to Trayvon Martin's death to the Ferguson protests—Trump faced no such questioning when police in Texas shot and killed 15-year-old Jordan Edwards last April or when a video of an Arizona officer fatally shooting unarmed Daniel Shaver was released last year.

Among other complicating factors is that, while police shootings have continued, the number of unarmed people being killed has dipped and therefore so has the number of videos of such shootings that galvanize the public. In 2015, 36 unarmed black men were fatally shot by police; footage of the armed yet compliant Castile, 12-year-old Tamir Rice and Walter Scott dying from their wounds prompted massive protests. In 2017, the figure was 19. Of the 33 black people fatally shot by police so far in 2018, only two incidents are known to have been caught on a body camera. Some policing experts say officers have become more cautious.
Explicitly, we're discussing "race and policing." Beyond that, you'll note the possible oddness of that last paragraph, perhaps as it was edited. To wit:

As least as the paragraph was edited, Lowery starts by talking about "unarmed people being killed." At that point, there seemed to be no demographic requirement for inclusion in the circle of concern.

Instantly, though, that changed. From the number of unarmed people being killed, we move directly to the numbers of "unarmed black men" being killed in 2016 and 2017. Among the others who need not apply, he even excluded black women!

(At least as the passage appeared. And yes, there have been some.)

It was perhaps from that chunk of text that some editor get the impression that Lowery was concerned about the killing of people who are socially defined as black, full stop, with there being no apparent need for anyone else to apply. For our money, the headline did capture the gist of the piece—and the headline struck us as perhaps somewhat regrettable and as perhaps slightly odd.

Of one thing you can be sure; the Washington Post's Wes Lowery is a good, decent person. We've never met him in our lives, but we're totally and completely sure of that fact.

We also think that headline, and the essay beneath it, may lead us in two directions:

First, it helps explain our interest in the survey we imagined yesterday. How many people might believe that today's police officer is shooting and killing black people only, and nobody else?

We'd be curious to see an approximate answer. In fairness, if some people have formed that impression, it isn't because they haven't been getting plenty of help.

Second, it seems to us that Lowery's essay may have a good and decent person tilting toward a type of moral mistake. We think of this glorious passage from Yevtushenko's poem, People. Granted, he was a Russkie:
In any man [sic] who dies there dies with him
his first snow and kiss and fight
it goes with him.

There are left books and bridges
and painted canvas and machinery
Whose fate is to survive.

But what has gone is also not nothing:
by the rule of the game something has gone.
Not people die but worlds die in them.
"Who we knew as faulty, the earth's creatures," Yevtushenko says as he continues.

When a person dies, "what has gone is not nothing?" Yevtushenko didn't add the limiting phrase, "depending on the demographics," although, anthropologically speaking, many people all over the world have always been so inclined.

How many people think that only "black" people are being shot and killed by today's out-of-control police officer, who hasn't kept up with the statistics about today's improved teens?

We're curious about the answer to that. It seems to us that, much as once was said at Woodstock, there's some bad information and faulty suggestions possibly going around.

Tomorrow: Clinton promotes a (slightly peculiar?) movement

17 comments:

  1. Link to WaPo article is https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/police-are-still-killing-black-people-why-isnt-it-news-anymore/2018/03/12/df004124-22ef-11e8-badd-7c9f29a55815_story.html?utm_term=.ac3e84f577c9

    ReplyDelete
  2. What else is new, Bob. As we all know, racist hate-mongering is the only way liberal establishment can cling to power. As elections approach, expect more of this, much more. I don't think it works anymore, though. Overused.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Like your shtick - overused, pointless and boring.

      Delete
  3. Sadly, paying attention to media reports can make you stupider. A smart analysis would look at

    -- police killings by race of policeman and race of victim

    -- justified vs. unjustified police killings

    -- non-police killings by race of killer and race of victim

    But, too many media report muddle these distinctions, as if they didn't exist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Considering the media you pay attention to and how stupid you are, you probably have a point when it comes to conservative media.

      Delete
  4. "How many people might believe that today's police officer is shooting and killing black people only, and nobody else?"

    Umm...zero. Whenever a person is killed by a cop, it's big news, locally at least. Regardless of the race of the person.

    ReplyDelete
  5. With Mr Trump and Uncle Vova in charge, the use of nuclear weapons is "unlikely". So says Vladimir Shamanov, a senior lawmaker and retired general.

    https://apnews.com/d46a3927251f44f58a3901c03a8f1fb0/The-Latest:-Russia-warns-US-against-Syria-strike

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bob has a keen eye, and not just in this sense: Daniel Shaver

    Daniel Shaver certainly stood out to me, and a bit of perusing confirmed that which I thought I knew, which was that Shaver was a white guy on his hands and knees, who was too effed up to even obey simple directions from people who were pointing guns at him. He was too ignorant and effed up to realize that pointing any type of gun out of a hotel window was bound to end badly, especially given the fact that he scared the shit out of the cops that were there, if they’re to be believed. One thing we know: Shaver wasn’t shot in the back.

    “Police are still killing black people. Why don't we notice?” The headline Bob cites line should have been “Police are still killing people.”

    Is it wrong to focus on the killing of black people? No, I don’t think so, given the other noticeable factors of being a member of black society, such as relatively higher incarceration rates, length of sentences, inability to pay bail and on and on. The fact that cops go into all situations with guns will almost always make it much worse.

    That being said, the Sandra Bland case stood out to me as so outrageous as to defy belief. That was, in my view, purely racist, and she wasn’t shot with a gun. Driving while black. Can you imagine living with that fear? Flashing lights are almost a form of terror. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. And you HAVE to comply. Saying that as a white guy.

    Cops SHOULD be afraid. But do they really have to be armed to protect and serve? I’d be much more comfortable if they weren’t.

    Leroy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Police do some harm by sometimes killing innocent people. But they do far more good than harm by deterring crimes, including the murder of innocent people. That's why we spend a lot of money for police and other private security personnel.

    The harm police do is visible: innocent people they kill. The good they do is invisible: all the murders that didn't happen. Reformers tend to focus on what's visible--the people killed by police. But, any reform has to be evaluated as to its impact on crime prevention. Unfortunately, it's difficult or impossible for most of us to predict how a given reform will affect the non-police murder rate.

    One can see the impact, e.g., in London, England. The rate at which police kill innocent people is low, but the overall murder rate has climbed to a point where it's comparable to New York City's murder rate. "In the British capital, there were 134 murders in 2017, a 40% increase over the last three years — excluding deaths in terrorist attacks."

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/04/03/londons-murder-rate-higher-than-new-york-citys/480860002/

    P.S. the London murder rate sky-rocketed even though guns are are mostly banned. Murderers simply use other weapons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Typical dishonest cherry-picking in support of a false conclusion. UK-Wales 2017 homicide rate was the 7the highest since 2003.

      Like practically all your comments, you're full of shit again. Your bullshit is about the only thing that's skyrocketing.

      Delete
  8. Urgent effective love Spell caster to help you bring back ex lover & save you marriage fast, puritylovespell@gmail.com is certainly the best spell caster online and his result is 100% guarantee!..a whole lot of people are still suffering from all manner of issues of life. What is that particular thing that bothers you? Sometimes, the problem is not the problem but the problem is the inability to identify those who have the solution. I am Jessica Jackson from Edinburgh United Kingdom and I like to introduce you to Dr Purity a man who is come to rescue humanity from all issues of life. Ever since the day I had an encounter with him, that was the day my problem got terminated. When wisdom is blinking, it becomes a word for the wise. I would encourage you to relate whatsoever problem you are facing with Dr Purity and be rest assured that with God all things would work together for your good. You can contact Dr Purity via email: puritylovespell@gmail.com I congratulate you as you do so, indeed you are the next testifier.you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348070980389.

    ReplyDelete


  9. This is a true life experience with Doctor Ewan who helped me save my marriage by doing a pregnancy spell for me. My name is jenny clouds and i from somalia but currently live in manchester . my husband amd i have been married for over 6 years. We didn't have any children. My husband was not happy with this because we have tried for many years now to have a child that we thought of adopting but the idea wasn't the best for us. my husband even talked about divorce!! i was scared to loose my husband.3 months after my husband started talking about divorce, i saw a post on facebook which taled about a spell caster on how he helpes people from various problems and his name was Dr Ewan. I sent a mail to him through his email address covenantsolutiontemple@gmail.com, I explained everything to him and he told me not to worry. i was over excited, he comforted me with his words, he told me that we are going to do a pregnancy spell, i was scared but i had no choice. he told me what to do and i did it. he actually did the love spell, he gave me assurance that i will become pregnant in 2 days, i thought he was joking. this is the 11th month after meeting Dr Ewan, now i have a set of twins, a boy and a girl. God bless you Dr Ewan, thank you for what you have done for me, Please contact and meet Doctor Ewan if you are passing through any difficulty in life like the one i was passing through at covenantsolutiontemple@gmail.com and visit website at http://allwomenstalk.com/p/58034af4f725a97d108b4569 or call or add him on watsapp on +2349078040531. there are still real people out there helping people. covenantsolutiontemple@gmail.com is one of them.he also help in lottery winning too, if you want to win lottery now also contact him

    ReplyDelete
  10. I never believed in Love Spells or Magics until I met this special spell caster when i went to Africa to Execute some business..He is really powerful..My husband divorce me with no reason for almost 4 years and i tried all i could to have him back cos i really love him so much but all my effort did not work out.. we met at our early age at the college and we both have feelings for each other and we got married happily for 5 years with no kid and he woke up one morning and he told me he’s going on a divorce..i thought it was a joke and when he came back from work he tender to me a divorce letter and he packed all him loads from my house..i ran mad and i tried all i could to have him back but all did not work out..i was lonely for almost 4 years…So when i told the spell caster what happened he said he will help me and he asked for him full name and him picture...i gave him that..At first i was skeptical but i gave it a try cos have tried so many spell casters and there is no solution…so when he finished with the readings,he got back to me that he’s with a woman and that woman is the reason why he left me…The spell caster said he will help me with a spell that will surely bring him back.but i never believe all this…he told me i will see a positive result within 3 days..3 days later,he called me himself and came to me apologizing and he told me he will come back to me..I cant believe this,it was like a dream cos i never believe this will work out after trying many spell casters and there is no solution..The spell caster is so powerful and after that he helped me with a pregnancy spell and i got pregnant a month later..we are now happy been together again and with lovely kid..This spell caster has really changed my life and i will forever thankful to him..he has helped many of my friends too with similar problem too and they are happy and thankful to him.This man is indeed the most powerful spell caster have ever experienced in life..Am Posting this to the Forum in case there is anyone who has similar problem and still looking for a way out..you can reach him here: drosemudiamenspellhome@gmail.com CONTACT THIS POWERFUL SPELL CASTER TODAY VIA EMAIL:drosemudiamenspellhome@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello, i am Jessica Wayne from TX, USA. Life without my husband was a real mess for me and my children I am so happy to get my Ex back through the help of Dr Noble the spell caster . My greatest surprise was that 48 hours after the Doctor prepared the spell for me, my husband who has abandoned me for 4 years suddenly called me unexpectedly and am so happy that we have come to become one again through the help of Dr Noble and am so happy to be with my husband once again. Dr Noble is a very wonderful spell caster, you can contact him if you need his assistant because i know he can also help you. contact him through his email: templeofjoyandprosperity@gmail.com call him on or whatsapp +2348145643630 immediately

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am Susan from New York USA,I want to use this golden opportunity to appreciate the great spell caster called Dr.Wakina for helping me get back my relationship with my ex lover when he ended and turned his back on me for quite a long period of time. Dr.Wakina performed a spell for me and within 4days after the spell had been cast i receive a call from my ex saying that he is sorry for hurting me and that he will not do such thing to me in his life again, I was surprised but later accepted him back. Anyone that is in the same line of problem or having difficulties in there marriages or having problem of infertility should contact Dr.Wakina because that is what he told me so am sharing it out to everyone that needs it so that you also can be happy as i am now contact him on his email drwakinaspellhome@gmail.com and also his website http://wakinaspellhome.webs.com, you can also contact him through his personal mobile number +2348165784423....

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so happy today because of what Dr,UZOYA did for me,my fiance broke up with me last three month because he thought i was cheating on him,so for the past three month now i have been trying to plead with him but he still say the same thing that he does not want us to come back again that he can not trust me so i came in contact with Dr,UZOYA,who told me that my lover is going to come back to me if i work with him so i did what he ask me to do,after that he told me that within 48 hours that my lover is going to come back to me,can you believe that my lover is back to me ,he now love me more than before i am so happy, spell is good when you meet Dr,UZOYA if you need his help contact him [driraborspellcaster@gmail.com] or call +1(301) 909 8775 Am beery jarem from United State contact Dr,UZOYA now and get your problem solve just like me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have always thought it was impossible for me to get a boyfriend of my own being a guy myself but after i met prophet ogidi my life change for the better and the peron i use to have a crush on he helped me perform a spell[ritual} that made him fall in love with me and since then for the first time in my life i an finally happy and begin to feel like i belong to this world to also get help from this great man email at d D R O D O G B O 3 4 @ G M I L . C O M and let him help you get your relationship back or make someone fall in love with you no matter the gender.There is hope for us after all no matter how the world may see us or look at us do not be shy try him today and let your life change for the better.You can also whatsapp at +2347064227471

    ReplyDelete