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| Liverpool players take a knee in memory of George Floyd. Source: CNN |
Soccer players are doing it. Bishops are doing it. Senior police officers are doing it. All following the latest import from the US, taking a knee.
Even the Holy See has endorsed it with dire consequences.
Black lives matter. White lives matter. The sanctity of life matters. The manner in which George Floyd lost his life was deplorable but he was no saint. Watch this video by US commentator Candace Owens to learn what it means to be 'going with popular opinion'.
The BLM mission is to 'eradicate white supremacy'.
They "affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. Our network centers those who have been marginalized within Black liberation movements" but it is difficult to take the BLM slogan seriously when hoards of people congregate in breach of coronavirus lockdown rules designed to save lives.
With 'Black Lives Matter' on the back of their shirts, social distancing was quickly forgotten in the Brighton - Arsenal soccer game having taken a knee before kicking off.
The problem with special interest groups nowadays is that if you do not affirm them you are deemed to be against, harbouring some sort of phobia. Holding another opinion is simply not tolerated.
Full marks, then, to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who refused to be intimidated for holding an opinion of his own about taking a knee.
As statues are toppled and apologies for past associations with slavery increase, modern slavery continues but strangely it does not attract the same level of criticism.
Some lives do not appear to matter so long as you take a knee.
The BLM mission is to 'eradicate white supremacy'.
They "affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. Our network centers those who have been marginalized within Black liberation movements" but it is difficult to take the BLM slogan seriously when hoards of people congregate in breach of coronavirus lockdown rules designed to save lives.
With 'Black Lives Matter' on the back of their shirts, social distancing was quickly forgotten in the Brighton - Arsenal soccer game having taken a knee before kicking off.
The problem with special interest groups nowadays is that if you do not affirm them you are deemed to be against, harbouring some sort of phobia. Holding another opinion is simply not tolerated.
Full marks, then, to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who refused to be intimidated for holding an opinion of his own about taking a knee.
As statues are toppled and apologies for past associations with slavery increase, modern slavery continues but strangely it does not attract the same level of criticism.
Some lives do not appear to matter so long as you take a knee.
They call it ‘taking the knee’ as if this gesture had just been invented. The same people who feel fulfilled by protesting against the arrest of an established criminal,would criticise Catholics and High Church Anglicans for bowing and kneeling before God.
ReplyDeleteAs has been said previously the arresting police officer was using a taught technique to control a person suspected of an offence. We do not know if this person was resisting arrest or acting violently or if he was armed. Floyd was undoubtedly known to the police,had been in prison for drug offences and had also committed armed robbery, threatening a pregnant woman in her home.
In this country Police officers have been shot because they were too circumspect in carrying out their arrest.
It went wrong, but the Police Officer did not set out to kill Floyd. So I am not prepared to kneel on my doorstep or in the street to declare I am not racist. I object to this gesture of genuflection being high-jacked by louts and anarchists who seek any excuse to create havoc and destroy the structure of society .
There is,of course, a number in these protesters who do not really understand what is their objection but have been led astray by social media and adoption of ‘ hero worship’ of the wrong people.This is the absolute danger of populism .
In every city or State in the US someone is murdered every day. Each of these murders is not addressed by censorious groups; this would cause the demonstrators to spend their whole life on their knees ! That would not be a bad thing if by taking the knee they sought to honour God.
I agree entirely with the point which AB's making here. As I see it, the nub of his point is his assertion that 'the problem with special interest groups nowadays is that if you do not affirm them you are deemed to be against, harbouring some sort of phobia. Holding another opinion is simply not tolerated.'
ReplyDeleteI've no beef against the US sportmen who went down on one knee during the singing of the US anthem, when the respectable thing to do is to stand upright, clutch the rough vicinity of your heart, and roar out the words. If some Americans don't feel that uncritical jingoistic patriotism accords with their instincts and experience, then I entirely endorse their right to squat down and decline to go with the flow.
But I don't see why people who live in a different nation and in a rather different sort of culture should feel impelled by populist clamour to follow suit and 'take the knee' at the risk of being excoriated if they decline to do so. Fine if you feel that you want to do that in solidarity with the doctrine that 'black lives matter'. Just as fine if, in the very different context of life in the UK, you feel that the gesture's not relevant to our situation here and you prefer not to do so.
A "sit down" protest used to be the recognised way of objecting to things one disagreed with, but I suppose even for fit footballers it's harder to get down on one's bottom and up again than down on the knee. Perhaps make sure you take a folding chair? On the subject of statue-lopping, I was most impressed by an article in the current 'Spectator' by Tanjil Rashid, a 2nd generation Bangladeshi immigrant, pointing out how half-hearted the critics of historic exploitation of non-Europeans tend to be about celebrating their achievements, most of which wouldn't have occurred without the influence of the British Empire. For his tweet about this see https://twitter.com/mitteleuropean?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor.
ReplyDeleteI notice (I could hardly not) that the reporting of the Floyd incident in the media uses the word 'killing' e.g. 'the killing of Floyd', 'the police killed Floyd', etc, etc. Rarely is it reported that he died during arrest after being apprehended by the police who acted recklessly but had no intention of killing him. Killing is something you set out to do. This is dangerous and inflammatory reporting and a good example of fake news.
ReplyDeleteLW
I watched the film. Floyd was on his face on the tarmac, with his arms trussed up behind his back, secured by one of those plastic ties which police forces appear to use these days - the sort that gardeners use as plants ties. Quite immobile - as a gardener I know how hard they are to release - even when you have your hands free and can see what you're doing.
DeleteYet the police officer continued to kneel on his neck even though it would have been near impossible for him to free himself. In consequence of which he died. Draw your own conclusion.
It is not for any of us to draw any conclusion.
DeleteThat will be the job of a duly constituted jury after having seen and heard all available evidence, including any existence of Floyd's behaviour in the store where he was allegedly trying to pay for goods with counterfeit money, his conduct when approached by Police officers, any evidence or sign of him being high on drugs and any evidence of his resisting arrest or assaulting Police officers while carrying out their duties.
I too have seen the various videos on social media recorded by members of the public and at face value they appear to be damming. However, I have yet to see any recordings of the entire incident from beginning to end, including footage captured by body cameras worn by all four Police officers incolved.
Another matter of considerable concern should be the selection of an independent and unprejudiced jury who will be able to give all the accused a fair trial.
@ Ruth:
DeleteWe all draw conclusions based on what we see because we're rational beings; the solution here isn't to refrain from drawing conclusions, but to be open to adjusting the conclusion in the event of further relevant evidence appearing.
On the evidence thus far I'd say that a man lying face down with his hands firmly tied behind his back would struggle to get up quickly, if he could do so at all. But, on reflection, perhaps an exceptionally fit, strong and flexible man might manage it.
But a foot on his back would pre-empt that no less effectively than a foot on his neck, and without the same risk of harm.
The intention was not to kill Floyd therefore the policeman involved will not be convicted of murder (a charge laid to placate the mob). The police are culpable, but not of the charge.
DeleteLW
I don't agree John.
DeleteWe're not all rational beings any more than we're all white, all black , all male or all female. Neither are a considerable number open to "adjusting the conclusion".
Making assumptions or jumping to conclusions prematurely are, I suggest, more than half the problem.
@ LW:
DeleteOn that we'll need to await the actual charge, and the ultimate verdict.
@ Ruth:
All human beings are, at least potentially, rational beings; from the Christian perspective at least, that's an aspect of the image of God in which mankind's created.
Though whether all human beings view it that way, or seek to develop their faculty of rationality might be a different thing ... ?
Bending the knee, like the raised fist, suggests black power, black supremacy. As Enoch said, they want to have the whip hand - not all, but many do. How wonderful to see a black man saving a white man, however.
ReplyDeleteDominus
Yes, wonderful to see the black man doing that life saving act. But why was he there wearing 'knuckle Duster' gloves? Are they not classed an offensive weapon? Or, is it P.I.C to point this out?
DeleteMervyn
I am copying this from a posting on Facebook : this is the reality.
ReplyDeleteJames Furlong matters too!
“RIP James Furlong, 36. James taught history in a girls school. He was stabbed to death (alongside two as yet unnamed others) for no reason at all, by someone who should have been somewhere else.
There won't be a minutes silence in Parliament for him. No footballers will take a pre-match knee or have some trite slogan printed on their shirts because he is dead. The BBC won't Livestream his funeral and Sky won't have rolling coverage about him. This time next month you probably won't remember his name.
James never robbed anyone. He never served a prison sentence. He wasn't a drug addict. He wasn't a vandal. He didn't have celebrities changing photos or writing statements about his life or death. He was just a teacher. #BritishLivesMatter and #AllLivesMatter NOT just the ones the media repeatedly tell us about.”
Yesterday's incident at - or, perhaps, over - Manchester City FC's Etihad stadium should lead at the least to a pause for thought.
ReplyDeleteThere's a place for making a gesture, but I believe gestures work best when they're made dramatically but sparingly. Making them routinely and repeatedly tends to reduce their impact - not least by risking the sort of spectacular but essentially silly tit for tat response which we witnessed yesterday.
As far as I am aware aware, flying the banner over the Stadium meet both the criteria you stipulate, dramatically and sparingly.
DeleteIf any organisation has been making gestures routinely and repeatedly it is BLM.
@ Enoch:
DeleteThat was my point.
It seems BLM are now demanding all statues and stain glass windows depicting a white Jesus be removed as they are symbols of white oppression.... I'm sure Justin Welby will be complying immediately
ReplyDeleteJon
You make a sound point. The feast day of Christ the King is a recent innovation, still less than a century old, but the underlying concept is far older:
Delete'King whose name creation thrills,
rule our minds, our hearts, our wills,
till in peace each nation rings
with thy praises, King of kings;
Angels, saints and nations sing:
“Praised be Jesus Christ, our King";
Lord of life, earth, sky and sea,
King of love on Calvary'.
The Jesuits in the course of their not that successful mission to Japan in the late 16t and early 17th century, with their customary perception distributed icons of a Christ with Mongoloid features. If I recall correctly, the Roman pope of the time was dubious about that when he heard about it.
But in terms of Christian doctrine they were right and the pope of the time was wrong. 'Universal King' means what it says and the representation of Christ as, according to nation, brown, black, white or yellow in complexion reinforces the substance of that teaching.
There is always going to be a tension between the idea of Christ as the representative of all people, not just racially but in gender, age and social class, and the historical Jesus as a first-century Jewish man. One is universal, the other is specific. So (I guess) an "icon" of Jesus, to be used in worship, could reflect the ethnicity and background of the user; however a painting which purported to be historically accurate would be tightly constrained. Of course the great Italian Renaissance artists placed Jesus (and the scenes of his life) very firmly in their own context - as have many artists since.
Delete'So (I guess) an "icon" of Jesus, to be used in worship, could reflect the ethnicity and background of the user; however a painting which purported to be historically accurate would be tightly constrained.'
DeleteThat's how I see it too.
I suspect, the silent majority are horrified by the riots, lack of social distancing, statues pulled down etc. Often these days the vocal minority and press seem to be in control.
ReplyDeleteIronically there are loads of reports of antisemitism at the BLM riots, so much for anti racism.
Christians are currently being persecuted all over the world, the tales from Nigeria are horrifying. But no one says anything.
So it is and always has been.
DeleteAn imperfect world redeemable only through Christ.
LW
WOW - Ruth has become the voice of moderation and reason. Some good has come from this pandemic.
ReplyDeleteBLACK, BROWN, WHITE, YELLOW ISRAELIS
ReplyDeleteSince color has become a language somehow, and anti Israel bigots distort, then let's remind, most Israelis are "brown," in terms of stats. You have also many Ethiopian Jews.
No wonder the propagandists will never show democratic multiracial Israel in day to day lives.
SECURITY VS RACISTS
But of course Israeli security concerns are just that. Unrelated to any "color" or "race." Actually, speaking of racism, yes, Arab Muslim attackers target only Jews. Talk about real racism.
BACKGROUND ON HIJACKING TERMINOLOGY
True, thus hijacking of term 'it's racism," is as old as Palestine propaganda emerged by holocaust denier Issa Nakhleh who began in June-17-1949 the "like the Nazis and worse than nazis" line (and by Nov-14-1972 said all 6,000,000 were alive and Hitler "didn't" kill, and represented 'Muslim Congress' at Holocaust deniers convention in 1982), then picked up in 1960 by Nazi Tacuara saluter Ahmad Shukairy who by Oct-17-1961 added that garbage-touch apartheid slur too and questioned Catholic Uruguayan rep. Enrique Fabregat's loyalty, stating because he's (supposedly) a Jew. And both, of course were Hitler's ally ex-mufti Islamic leader al-Husseini avid fans. With Shukairy his aide
More pandering to the woke PC brigade and toadying to the Marxist anarchists.
ReplyDeleteSt Albans Cathedral's black Jesus is a 'bold statement'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-53246221
The church said it was in "support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement".
The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, dean of the cathedral, said: "Our faith teaches that we are all made equally in the image of God, and that God is a God of justice."
The St Albans for BLM group, which is not affiliated to UKBLM and is a separate group created to support the city's response to the movement, said the picture "was not about accurate portrayal of Jesus' appearance" but about "promoting conversation about how history is often whitewashed".
How typical of Black Lives Matter supporters.
DeleteNothing they do is "about accurate portrayal" but I suppose "promoting conversation" is a marginal improvement on promoting dissent, vandalism, anarchy, rioting and looting.
It would be far more impressive if BLM promoted education and learning the real history and full context surrounding the issue of Slavery including that suffered by all races creeds and colours but then again that wouldn't suit their agenda or their true objectives, would it?
DeleteCurious, isn't it, how the issue of Police brutality in Hong Kong merits so little media coverage (in comparison with that given to career criminal George Floyd) and the deafening silence from the usually very vocal BLM.
DeleteYellow lives don't matter to woke liberals obviously.
Ihe intimidation continues. "Lewis Hamilton says some drivers' reluctance to take a knee before the Austrian Grand Prix is down to a lack of understanding of racism.
Deletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/53294057
Bianca Williams: Met apologises to sprinter over stop-and-search
Deletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53307561
Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams has received an apology from the Met Police after she and her partner were pulled over in their car in a stop-and-search.
Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick told a committee of MPs officers had visited Ms Williams to apologise for "distress" caused by the stop.
The force has also launched a review of its handcuffing practices, she added.
Despite two reviews by the force's directorate of professional standards, Dame Cressida said the force had found no misconduct by its officers.
However, because of the public interest in the case, the Met has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Apologise?
For what?
Doing their job?
Would a white couple stopped for driving on the wrong side of the road, speeding off when requested to stop and being verbally abusive to Officers receive an apology?
Policing by consent is dead.
Has anybody even heard of this nobody?
Deletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53319926
"A TV presenter who endured racism while growing up has backed calls to remove a monument to a slave trader. Sir Thomas Picton, a 19th Century war hero from Haverfordwest, has been denounced for cruelty as a slave owner and colonial governor of Trinidad. Carmarthenshire councillors have voted unanimously to adopt a plan to tackle racism in line with the Black Lives Matter movement. Ameer Davies-Rana, 23, said it was time to "get rid" of such memorials."
@Lev
DeleteUnnecessary apologies are now de rigeur for the 'woke' when dealing with anyone who plays the race card.
The lame and spineless Cressida Dick should resign in shame but she will not.
Whitewashed?????? Disgusting.
ReplyDeleteReview launched into police 'race discrimination'
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53359269
The police watchdog is launching a review into whether officers across England and Wales racially discriminate against ethnic minorities.
Stop-and-search and the use of force will be among the issues examined by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
It follows criticism of the police in recent cases caught on camera.
IOPC director-general Michael Lockwood said the review's focus on racial discrimination is intended "to establish the trends and patterns which might help drive real change in policing practice".
Stop-and-search powers are nine times more likely to be used against black people than against white people in England and Wales, but Mr Lockwood said they needed to better understand how these disparities occurred and how they could be addressed.
He said the review will involve independently investigating more cases where racial discrimination may be a factor to "develop a body of evidence" and identify systemic issues.
The IOPC will also investigate more cases where victims from BAME communities felt unfairly treated by police, Mr Lockwood said.
These could include whether the police are treating allegations of hate crime seriously, or if there are cases where police are failing to treat them as victims of crime.
"We know this is an issue of community concern. Our police forces can only police effectively with the trust and confidence of the community they serve," he said.
Might it have something to do with criminal profiling rather than racial profiling?
Or the inconvenient truth that black men are significantly more likely to be carrying weapons ?
Not to mention "Knife possession offences in England and Wales reach record high".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51136699