Doug Mann responds.
What? All ethnicities and races in our fair city are equally affected by
street gangs? The same logic that led Dennis Plante to draw that conclusion
would also lead one to conclude that all ethnicities and races in our fair
city are equally affected by poverty, unemployment, police brutality, low
quality
educational programs in the public schools, racial discrimination, etc.
If all ethnicities and races are equally affected by gang activity, why did
Rev. Terrill write his sermon about parents saying no to gangs in the form
of an open letter to the AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY. And the theme of that
sermon: individual responsibilty as a solution to crime, unemployment, etc.
suggests that the problem is lazy, shiftless African Americans. That's why
the Minnesota State Conference of the NAACP and the St. Paul Branch of the
NAACP responded to the open letter by calling on Rev. Terrill to resign his
post as head of the St. Paul Human Rights Department. Duane Reed, the
Minneapolis NAACP branch president has been silent on this matter.
COULD THE PEACE FOUNDATION GET A PIECE OF THE ACTION?
Dennis Plante contends that Rev. Terrill was merely expressing his feelings
about gang activity. However, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Ron Edwards noted
that Terrill's reference to gang activities as "terrorism" is consistent
with a plan to bring the Patriot Act into play in the war against gang
"terrorism" in the Twin Cities. And that would create an opportunity for
outfits like Don Samuels' Peace Foundation to obtain grant awards from the
Department of Homeland Security.
Dennis Plante Responds:
Apparently, I read your posts a little more carefully than you read mine,
before I respond. In essence, what you have written, although very
eloquent, does not in the slightest, address what I have said. Or, could it
simply be that you're mind is already made-up and you're not open to new
concepts?
I never stated that all ethnicities are equally affected by street gangs.
In fact that is why I believe so strongly in what the Rev. Terrill wrote.
Because it doesn't. But, that's not the point of this discussion and never
has been. It has always been about calling on all individuals to take
personal accountability for the responsibilities they have.
As for the real meaning behing the Rev Terrill's letter, my opinion is no
less a contention than is that of Ron Edwards, or MSR, or even you for that
matter.
I find the conclusions you have come to regarding "the letter" to be an
intersting insight as to where you're coming from on this matter. I also
find is especially interesting now that I fully understand the linear
thought process you've developed here; "the letter" = the patriot act =
federal funding for the peace foundation.
I would be willing to bet that your knowledge-base of the PEACE FOUNDATION
is built exclusively on 2nd, or 3rd hand knowledge. Please tell me I am
wrong on this matter.
I would suspect that you are very empathetic to indviduals that are either
dismissed or persecuted based on preconceived ideas that others may have.
In light of this, I have one last question for you Doug. Whereas you appear
to take such great exception to what Rev Terrill has written and you seem so
willing to take the conclusions that Booker, the MSR and Ron Edwards came to
at face value, did it ever occur to you to pick-up the phone and call Rev
Terrill to learn what his true intention is? Or does that not matter to
you? How would you define this type of action in one word?
dennis plante
llind-bohanon
REMINDERS:
1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If
you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL
PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn
E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[email protected]
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
