BRIGGS wrote:smackeddog wrote:djsunyc wrote:why does the anthem have to be correlated to armed services?
Because BRIGGS says so, presumably so he can launch another attack on black people
All Ive said is Caucasians Asians and Europeans are scared of inner city AA. That I believe that fear heightens police with AA. What is not the truth--man that is as honest as it gets. Go hang out in the projects with the police 45 hours a week and see how over time your mental well being is. What AA could disagree with this--its no attack--its honesty?????
So, given this alleged "fear" why are those who work in such communities (which are also not always composed of African-Americans), working very hard to empower and support those who live there to overcome obstacles that are present in life not considered to be in "service" to the country in which they live when that is exactly the point of the work?
I assume you are familiar with the term civil service? The word "service" is quite blatantly ingrained in that term, yet somehow there is no one bowing there heads to the anthem and thinking of these individuals who do work I know most people would not, and even some who do are not committed to the challenges involved burn out and frequently leave within a few years to do something less difficult/stressfull.
Like NFL players who we know know are now at risk for brain damage and lower life outcomes due to playing football, it is widely known that stress levels for those who work in such difficult situations and an emphasis on self-care is more so than many other fields are risking their lives to be shortened by choosing these fields of "service" over something more focused on monetary or personal gain. (Not really due to being "scared of inner city AA" for quite a few btw, speaking as one who has a lot of experience in this work).
Btw, I work all day, every day with "inner city AA" adolescents, teenagers, and their families, with those that these police would likely be afraid of, not even what they look like but based upon their histories, and I am not at all afraid. I work in a neighborhood that has a so-called awful reputation according to some, and btw, this doesn't make me better than anyone else. It has taken a lot of work over my life to get to where I am and I am grateful for many people who have challenged my thinking over the years. I have also worked with whites who have been afraid as a field supervisor/instructor for Masters level social work students, who we together have worked on helping process. Every one I have taught and worked with has found ways to lower their fears through desire to learn and grow, which can involve very uncomfortable moments. The point is the police do not get to use this as an excuse, and I know there are police who are seen differently, because they put in the necessary work to work in such communities.
So, again, I'd care to hear why we don't celebrate or by using your definition, consider these individuals when we think of those in "service." Reality is there are sometimes some quite significant risks to ones life (very much related to significant mental health impact) that some would never taken on, nor commit to and even some who do able to challenge themselves enough that is required for the good of the work.
If you ask me, it's not hard to see the reasons why this is not discussed or considered, but the argument that military are the only "service" individuals in society seems rather disrespectful, if you ask me, to many who have dedicated their lives to service of other kinds throughout history, sometimes legitimately risking their own lives without any sort of uniform on to represent the government's military.
Forum Po Po and #33 for a reason...