By golly, Jonathan you got the Mississippi County correct. While I have not been pulled over by the Minneapolis Police for driving while Black. I have been pulled over for driving along Franklin while White. My sons who look like suburban kids, yet live across the street from me in Ventura Village, are continually pulled over for being White and in my neighborhood. Some police apparently do not believe that such kids would have any interest on Franklin Avenue other than drugs and crime. What is even more comical is the way they are sometimes treated when in the company of their Black, Native and Hispanic friends. Then for sure some illegal trade is going on, otherwise these people would not be standing beside a house talking a block from Franklin. The kids resented such when they were young, but now the kids and their friends enjoy it as comic relief. I have taught all of them to be sure to thank the police officer for industriously performing their duty and make a suggestion about where real crime is actually taking place.
While some might prefer their "Issues" with a little more fluff and a little less meat, I think these discussions are important and are the real Minneapolis Issues. While I may disagree with Jonathan on specific logical constructs from the synthesis of specific data, I thank Jonathan for engaging in the discourse. Such discourse is immensely valuable, not because its Jonathan's or my ideas, but because of the exercise of engaging in it. The "Issue" for Minneapolis is that Racism is so well hidden that it can't be talked about in real terms. The darkness of racism and other mental constructs have a hard time existing when brought out of the hidden dark holes of the mind into the light of day by discussion. Arabs have a saying, " Darkness can not stay when the light comes." Stupid ideas only continue when kept from the sight of other men and women. So thanks Jonathan for shining a little light through your "red" lenses. Though I will be shining mine with a "blue" one, hopefully between the two, each of us might gain a little more vision. And such sparks as are struck, might just illuminate the "issue" for some other person who might also start thinking rather than seeking "Fluff". (Not that I do not from time to time enjoy fluff. But usually as dessert, not the main course). While I might not like the way he spices, or slices it, Jonathan does bring the meat and potatoes to the table. Jim Graham, Ventura Village ----- Original Message ----- _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
