Update (10:45 a.m. April 19): The least surprising news of the weekend: There were no problems on the Plaza.
No streets clouded with pepper spray. No girls in prom dresses getting dunked like witches in the Cheesecake Factory's fountain. No random street fights.
The police promised extra patrols, and with those assurances, why tempt fate? It's just not going to happen.
This afternoon at 1, Chief Jim Corwin hosts a public meeting at police HQ. So expect more coverage of this issue.
***
Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin addressed
Saturday night's "havoc" on the Plaza on his blog, promising extra
patrols in future weekends.
Here's what went the KCPD says went
down.
About 200 to 300 kids left
the Cinemark Theater, heading east. The group grew in numbers to
about 700, ranging in age from 11 to 17. Shoppers and diners were
intimidated, property was destroyed, and strong-armed robbery was
committed. Winstead's closed early after a juvenile was assaulted in the
restaurant's parking lot, leaving him with severe head
injuries and broken jaw. The bathrooms at PF Chang's were clogged with
kids. A 16-year-old girl was trampled in a stampede. The horse and buggy
was shut down. A girl in a prom dress was pushed into the Cheesecake
Factory's fountain. A husband and wife were jumped in a parking garage
at Nichols and Pennsylvania; the woman's purse was stolen and the man's
glasses were taken. There was more, but those are just a few of the
lowlights.
Streets were closed. Pepper spray was used. A
helicopter flew
overhead. It was a big mess.
What's bringing the kids to the Plaza? A report posted on Corwin's blog noted that Cinemark had lowered its age
requirements (and ticket prices; I paid $6 to see an evening show a few weeks ago). Apparently, the meet-up was planned through Facebook and Twitter by several high schools, including Raytown and Westport.
Corwin's also looking to get tipped off to the next time something like this happens.
"You will remain anonymous, and you could save someone's life," Corwin promised after giving the TIPS Hotline number (816-474-8477). "As I mentioned, one young man was seriously hurt in Saturday night's incident."
Gayle Terry, a spokeswoman for Plaza landlord Highwoods Properties issued the following statement:
"Highwoods Properties takes the safety of all Country Club Plazacustomers very seriously. We are working along with KCMO Police
department, the Mayor and Plaza Security to control the situation.
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Ancestors? Really?
We have all been a t a state (most of us non white) people of being slaves. Latinos, poor WHITES, Indians, Asians�. It has happened to us ALL.
But playing the "ancestor" card. WOW.
It�s the past let it go.
The riot happened and it was majority black kids trying to gain some type of control over non black kids.
BUT... its happening in Liberty, and other areas outside of the inner city reversed white kids playing the power card.
Let�s get over it, racism obviously exists and when all of us get over the black, brown or green card that will be the day.
Peace and Love.
FINALLY!!! A level-headed, peaceful, intelligent, THOUGHT PROVOKING post...THANK YOU InsomniacWriter
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS - this will help future generations from suffering the same consequences.
Kill them. It'll show the other thugs what might happen if they keep on like this, and then the wannabe thugs will show their true colors and back off
We're all grateful for the uneventful evening, and should commend the parents, kids, police and in particular, Mr. Brooks for his leadership. It truly does "take a village" and we saw that last night. I hope this puts an end in Kansas City to this particular form of entertainment and that all involved will from now on remain as diligent and caring as they were last night. I hope also that last weekend's/last night's events will become a permanent teaching moment for all of us.
Thanks, InsomniacWriter, for speaking truths.
He/she reminds us that groups, however broad, are composed of individuals and stereotypes cannot apply to all of us. We need to learn that the terms "black community" and "white community" are in themselves poor substitutions for "we Americans."
"At what point does it stop mattering where they grew up at or what color they are?"
I think that never stops mattering. We are all products of our upbringing and culture, however or wherever that takes place. We learn our values - or lack of them - from what we are taught and see and feel around us as we grow up. Children raised in racist households of any color will "inherit" that characteristic, and the struggle to overcome it is not easy. We tend to be more comfortable reinforcing our learned prejudices rather than questioning them. As someone said earlier, we're not born with a "racist gene." But racism comes from somewhere, doesn't it?
It is human nature for groups of a kind, bound by skin color or religious belief or gender, it doesn't matter, to be defensive about attacks on their cultures or beliefs as a whole. One size doesn't fit all, and human beings tend to pride themselves on their uniqueness. But we perceive attacks on others of our "kind" as personal attacks on us. We shouldn't be so quick to do so, because we will soon find ourselves in the position of having to defend the indefensible and no person or society is perfect.
My white friends,
Imagine your kid. Picture him/her and their friends. Imagine the smiles and the joy you have shared and the love between you. Feel that love. Now imagine your kid having to bear the weight of what ever other kid who looks like him does. Imagine your kid, that you love gets grouped into the worst parts of your community. Imagine people calling your kid an "animal" Imagine statistics saying that your kid is more likely to commit or be a victim to a crime. Imagine people saying its your fault and you are doing the best you can. Imagine your child having his or her individuality taken away and replace by "the _____community" Imagine your kid feeling because of where they live they have to get treated different. Imagine anyone could say anything about your kid as long as before it they said "Not to be racist..." Imagine that...now remember that love you have for them...wouldn't you be upset and defensive too?
Oh please let me get in this conversation. A few years back, I was a "young black teen" and I did hang out in places after dark, no trouble though. I am from "the broken black family" and I grew up in the "64130" area code. I am now a leader with the 7th largest company in the world. So where you live does not dictate how you live. My white friends on here, as a black person of course we are going to get upset because whenever a white person starts a sentence with "Well, I'm not racist, but..." its a nervous tick designed to cover what you're about to say. What you say after that is irrelevant. My 2nd point is of course we as black people are going to be defensive, because you are talking about our kids. Our Children. And since we are all human...your children. I can find just as many white kids rioting as black kids and i can find just as many black rapist and molestors in the same amount of time. Its not about that. What happened was horrible, but what are we to gain from doing the same things over and over again. Einstein's definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Lets drop the arguement and realize these are our kids, our brothers and sisters, our nieces and nephews, ours cousins. At what point does it stop mattering where they grew up at or what color they are. I am starting to tear up wrting this but its 2010. Instead of tearing each other down the races should help pick each other up. We are all in this together on a big rock floating in space, and all we have are our kids. it is the parents fault, but no parent is perfect, and there is not one collective parent for 700 kids. Its called Groupthink. 1 person is smart but a group of people is always dangerous. Black or white. I am not defending them or what happened. I just wanted to attempt to explain a black persons point of view on these postings.
Wonderwhy, are you saying the rampage by 700+ teenagers on the Plaza was caused by Plaza security guards harassing women? It's not clear to me what your meaning is. What is your theory?
Stories I've heard about the "incident" from friends on the Plaza that night, and law enforcement personnel that I know lead me to believe that this incident is growing in sensationalism as the days pass.
Several attornys that I know in town also state that they are seeing a rising number of cases of individuals harrassed, assaulted, and verbally abused by Highwood Properties private security - mostly women of either race.
I believe there may be more to this story than we are hearing. It is also very possible in the current tense political atmosphere that divisive individuals are utilizing incidents of this sort to cause further division between races. It would be extrordinarily sad to allow individuals who have actually made a living out of race baiting to continue to profit from their actions.
It is disheartening; the extent that good and evil resides in all of us. Defending our groups is nearly impossible. With all of the spectacular human achievements, the nature of man has changed very little. Racism is inherent in all of us to some extent and to argue about it is futile. If we are aware of this flaw (and others) then each of us can question ourselves so that we do not practice it!
Harsh measures at the Plaza are necessary until the perpetrators realize there is no gain if they continue. Of concern is, our government does not have the political will to accomplish it and this beautiful district will be vacant and dilapidated because of it.
Concerning Kitty, she is single handedly defending her cause against what is apparently an all white group and doing it admirably! As for the men here, haven�t you learned yet that you can NEVER win an argument with a woman?
This is a spirited debate to say the least by some very bright, decent, and well-meaning people but we need resolution.
Here is my solution: We should take Kitty to lunch if she will go with us. Kitty can bring her son if she wishes. We should go to THE PLAZA! It doesn�t have to be expensive. We�ll go �Dutch� except for Kitty. It would be a lot of fun. Let�s do it tomorrow. Anyone using a word containing �race� will be fined a dollar, which will be used for the check.
If Chief Corwin is reading this, he can come too and bring the mayor.
If we can�t make this happen, then Kitty has my affection and respect for her tireless and effective debate. Moreover, we can have peace among our selves.
How about it?
Back on the topic: This is new today from KC Fox TV's website:
"The weekend is here and police in Kansas City, Missouri face a big question: will any more violence break out on the Country Club Plaza?
Last Saturday night, teenagers used texting and messaging to get a crowd of nearly 700 kids to the plaza. They started fights, shoved a girl in a fountain, and assaulted a couple.
Police used pepper spray to break up the crowd. Officers and volunteer citizens will patrol the Plaza this weekend, watching for problems, but police say they now expect that some teens may try this again on the Plaza, or perhaps somewhere else.
Other areas around town are preparing for the possibility of large crowds of teens. Ward Parkway Mall sent a notice to store owners on Friday morning, saying they are working with their security team and police to be prepared if an incident happened on their property.
Extra security will be everywhere around town and police are using a mobile center to get where they need to go if a disturbance should occur.
The city curfew in Kansas City says kids under age 18 cannot be out from midnight to 6 a.m. on friday and Saturday, or from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. If police catch a juvenile out after curfew, they detain them and call the parents. Officers will ticket the parent."
END OF ARTICLE
Here's what strikes me about this story:
"...police say they now expect that some teens may try this again on the Plaza, or perhaps somewhere else."
Ostensibly the police have good reason to believe this. They're preparing for a riot to break out anywhere at any time. There will be a show of force. I hope no one gets hurt. What it all amounts to is that the city is being held hostage by a mob of uncontrollable teenagers who may strike anywhere.
Is anyone aware of any movement in the black community to try to publicize a "time-out" or cooling off period? One would like to assume that the majority of parents whose children were part of the problem last time have put their foot down and their kids will NOT be out on the streets unsupervised this weekend and getting into trouble, especially in light of police statements. Same goes for the parents of Westport and Raytown High students. Have the schools and the parents come together to offer alternatives? The parents of those two schools should be REQUIRED to see that their children are in a safe, supervised environment 24/7 this weekend.
I hope they're not throwing their hands up in the air and hoping for the best.
Fair enough Kitty :)
Not sure why but I feel the need to share this.
My first job at the age of 13 (I lied and said I was 16) was at Gates & Sons at 103rd and State Line when they first opened that restaurant some 40 years ago. I was a busboy and my sister and a couple of her girlfriends worked the counter. Back then Olli, didn�t let any blacks work out front. The cooks and sandwich makers, who were black, worked in the back, mostly out of sight from the customers. Until then, I really hadn�t been exposed to many blacks except a few at school but they were from my neighborhood. These cooks and sandwich makers were from the "bad" part of town and were a little scary in my 13 year old eyes. It didn�t take long before all that went away and it turned out to be one of the funniest jobs I ever had. I still remember some of my coworkers after all these years. Tommy, Junior and a black girl named Gladys. I accidently caught Tommy doing Gladys in a closet one day. What a hoot that was! :). Years later I heard Tommy was shot to death. He was such a character and a super guy. :(
"Mr. Jad you nor any other person would not ever be able to have a conversation with a black person from the "inner-city" nor the suburbs using those types of statements without getting if not more of what I gave you. You and I both know that you know that."
Excuse me, Kitty - and this will be my last comment to you, I'm really tired of you - if I understand what you wrote,you're seeming to suggest that all black people have the same mindset in them as you do, and that I could not say the things I have said without invoking the same reaction in them as they do in you. In other words, the things I have said would compel them to scream "racist" at me. You are completely and utterly wrong.
Believe me, I can have a meaningful conversation with anyone without it turning racist - reread my posts if you don't think I know how to express myself intellegently and respectfully. I've stated facts and opinions based on those facts. You may not like those facts, you may not like those opinions, but I have a right to them without some wild-eyed inarticulate banshee - that would be you - screaming "racist" at me as though it were a mantra of her blackness. I'm sorry to have tell you what is evident to anyone who has read this thread completely: You are woefully unprepared to conduct civil discourse on the subject of race and you shouldn't try.
PLEASE show this blog to ANY of your thoughtful, articulate friends and co-workers and ask them to comment, here, on what I have said in this forum. I would WELCOME a dialog with a thoughtful, articulate black man or woman who isn't carrying your baggage around and knows how to talk to someone without your reactionary, hateful mindset.
Better yet, send a complete copy of our respective contributions to this blog to Alvin Brooks and ask him how you should respond. Or any politician, public figure or clergy of your choice. Let someone of your choosing, someone whom you respect, add his or her voice to this forum. I can prove to you that not all people conduct themselves like you do in a discussion of race.
In your above post, you used the word "racist" ten times and you're spitting out the same tired vitriol. I'm finished trying to talk with you. You are obsessed, Kitty. You're dwelling in hatred. You seem to think racism is behind everything.
Life's too short.
The behavior of the black teens at the Plaza has put ALL black teens at risk of being arrested or worse and the blame for that can be placed directly on the black community- FINALLY something I agree with but only certain members of the "black community" because you see I am a member of the black race and will never take responsibility over what someone elses bad @$$ kid did!!! Just please specify always that you're not referring to all of us, that's all I'm asking..........
My ancestors came from Ireland in 1901 so I have no guilt about slavery. Neither should anyone else 150 years later.
Forget about me getting robbed and you�re break-in. The only reason I brought it up is to point out how "some" people become racist. The issue is what the black teens did and nothing else. Can we PLEASE stick with that issue? Of course not all 700 parents are bad, but enough are to let this happen more then once. And I will bet it will happen again this weekend somewhere in Kansas City. If I was a parent of a black child, there is no way in hell they would be anywhere without adult supervision this weekend. The behavior of the black teens at the Plaza has put ALL black teens at risk of being arrested or worse and the blame for that can be placed directly on the black community.
If you're an adult NO ONE can make you do or become anything and I'm sorry to have to deviate again but just like your white ancestors did alot wrong before my time (and you know what I'm referring to)I don't form my opinion of you because of it. So in saying that I'm sorry you got robbed at knife point by a BLACK man, but what you don't know is my home was broken into by a wannabe thug WHITE 17 year old. And I still haven't gained my sense of security I had when I'm at home but moreso I guess you're saying now it's okay for me to be racist???????? And you couldn't possibly thing that all 700 of those teenagers are BAD nor thier parents, or do you? Come on now........... And I apologize if you think I have been out of line or in a yelling mode but I just don't think it's fair to put my entire race down because of the riffraff. You wouldn't like it if we did that because of yours.
Kitty,
How can we not appear to be racist in your mind when the subject at hand is "700 BLACK teens rioting? It wasn�t a mixture of different shades, it was BLACK teens.
Their behavior probably caused tens if not hundreds of people to become racist because of what they saw and how they were accosted. Can you imagine being the boyfriend of the girl in the prom dress that was pushed into the fountain? As all boys/men are raised to protect woman and children, he will have to live with the fact that he did nothing for the rest of his life. I can�t speak for all men but if it was me I would carry that shame for life.
People are not born with a racism gene. They become racist because of what they experience in their lives.
I have had both good and bad experiences (was robbed at knife point) with blacks and I choose to believe people are inherently good but not everyone is open minded. I am glad you are a mother that doesn�t allow your child to act up like these kids did. It�s the other 700 Mothers and Fathers that I have a problem with.
"The black community -I'm talking about the inner-city neighborhoods of Kansas City, Missouri" Wow! Looks like my so called yelling paid off!! And these thoughtful,articulate people of color that you are calling on and not to mention I am surrounded by every day in my profession, if they joined this conversation you would think your were being "ganged up on". Mr. Jad you nor any other person would not ever be able to have a conversation with a black person from the "inner-city" nor the suburbs using those types of statements without getting if not more of what I gave you. You and I both know that you know that. But I want to thank you Sir for specifying what you mean when you say black community, hey it's a start!! If DEFENDING the blatent put down of my race makes me TO YOU a bigot and unreasonable, then all I can do is smirk!
You see, and I'm speaking to ALL of you, the issue is if you want to speak on what happened,do so, but don't make racial statements that is if you aren't racist. If you want to say "the mob behavior of young black teens" you need to make DAMN sure you are not speaking about every black teen because if you are YOU ARE THE VERY DEFINITION OF RACIST. Or do you not know that every black teen doesn't behave in this manner as a matter of fact not one of MY friends has children that behave this way. If you left out the racist genaralizing statements you would have a conversation with me where I don't have to defend my race nor point out the riffraff in yours. If you think I'm defending the Plaza incident YOU'RE WRONG!! I'm defending the ish your talking about black people as a whole while speaking on the incident. And I'm sorry if you don't like being labled a racist, but hey a spade is a spade right? And NO, I don't feel like any of you are ganging up on me, this is a blog where ANYBODY can join the conversation. In sayin that, if I need to deviate from the REAL topic to let you know IT'S NOT OKAY to make racial statements during the discussion I will. As for TeaPartyMan I haven't totally made my mind up whether or not you are racist but this KCGirl you are a typical white racist person that has to point out the fact that "I have black friends" and then make up statements that are YOUR thoughts lady!!! You don't see me running to get my friends statements to help me out with this debate! Bottom line your racist comments such as "This is why black and white cannot live side by side","This is because white people know that black people will scream "racism" at the slightest opportunity, and they so often do this in order to redirect the issue from black behavior to white behavior","Bottom line: It's ignorance on the part of the back community to focus on what is generally considered a historic landmark as the center of money and "whiteness" in Kansas City", "Racism is very much alive in Kansas City and across the country but it's coming FROM the blacks with their "I'm entitled" attitude", "As far as Overland Park, if 500+ black teenagers were to converge on, say, Oak Park Mall at 8:00 pm this Saturday night, you'd see a multi-agency SWAT team in place in minutes, road-blocks checking IDs, and people without legitimate business being sent away" and I could go on and on. Jake, Melissa, JazzMan has the same message but did so with making racist statements. Having this discussion on this blog would be the only way you would EVER come across as racist as you have and use the statements you guys have! KCGirl all I can do is pray for you and your ignorance that was obviously imparted to you as a child. I would never want to cross your path, I know a few like you!
The commentary on this blog is loud and clear: normal Americans face near-impossible challenges in dealing with race. The first and most important is the ability to talk about it.
We spurt words like "ignorant" and "racist" and sling mud back and forth like children. We become so angered that we explode and let our remarks become intemperate. THAT is the problem - we can't even talk about it. We're so adept at pushing each other's buttons that any discussion degenerates into one of defensive emotion rather than collaborative reason. Another missed opportunity.
The poster Kitty was not a good spokesperson for people of color in this or any other area. She was clearly enraged, and her posts are full of surly, self-defensive and bellicose comments and accusations. Kitty wasn't talking with us, she was yelling at us. She was out of control.
There are thoughtful,articulate people of color throughout the area who could have and would have - one hopes - participated in this discussion and injected meaningful insight into the topic. Unfortunately, I guess none of them are reading this blog. Or if they are, they don't care enough to join in. That's our loss.
Kitty should serve as an example to us that there are unreasonable people and bigots of both races. We make no progress when we engage ourselves with such people.
A white racist and a black racist will never get along: they should stop trying to debate each other. It's a futile exercise.
But there are many others who seek concrete answers and solutions rather than confrontation. There are many people who bear no agenda other than to face facts and to do what is right, whatever pain (for whichever race) it may involve.
The black community - I'm talking about the inner-city neighborhoods of Kansas City, Missouri - to me is like a rudderless ship. Awash in blight, hopelessness, despair, poverty, crime and drugs. The Star's report on zip code 64130 says it all.
Everybody blames everybody else and in the meantime it only continues to fester and boil. Politicians are self-serving and, in my opinion, totally impotent on these issues.
Government and "leadership" are ineffective, and we can't even sit down to talk about it like rational human beings.
Not a very positive outlook, is it?
usations of racism.
For whatever reason, Kitty doesn�t want to discuss the real issue and insist on deflecting the conversation away from the mob behavior of young black teens. Perhaps she feels we are ganging up on her, which is somewhat understandable, but what I and I think the rest of us really want is to figure out why it happens. I am not a racist and from what I have read, neither is kcgirl or JAD. What I fear is if the police do not handle the situation we will lose yet another shopping area. This time the crown jewel of Kansas City and what a shame that would be :(
When are the white people going to stop caving in to these people? I mean if you keep following this political correctness your hands are going to remain tied. So what if they protest. DO you guys really need their business? They don't even spend money. Our system is jammed with these people. Social Services deal with 3/4s or more with the black community. When are these people going to pull them selves up by the bootstraps and stop depending on white guilt?
lol... why did you post that under anonymous? Are you trying to hide something? You're an idiot.
quoting your so called blacks friends means NOTHING to me lady but that you must be feeling STUPID! Oh and that sterotypical comment lets me know you have imaginary black friends. That's such a typical white ignorant racist statement!! People like you make me sick to my stomach, what a waste of Gods work!!! so through talking to an ignorant racist white woman!!
School hostages have nothing to do with what happened on the plaza and neither does race. It's about irresponsible parenting and communities... most of which in this case were in black neighborhoods. If you son didn't do anything, than don't worry about it. Stop being defensive. It's all the other black kids that were there... okay?
You are extremely ignorant... would you like to hear some of the comments my black friends made about this?
"there was nothing racist about it. Those kids are a menace... I've been saying for at least a month that something needs to be done. I'm black and I don't even want to be around mobs of kids cussing and acting ignorant. Their behavior is totally inappropriate."
"I didn't read the link but did it mention the kids going in restaurants and ordering food but not paying? Did it mention them running in/out of stores? Did it mention them being loud, disruptive & menacing?
These kids & parents all need to get it together."
"I didn't read the link but did it mention the kids going in restaurants and ordering food but not paying? Did it mention them running in/out of stores? Did it mention them being loud, disruptive & menacing?
These kids & parents all need to get it together."
"The news estimated 500-700 and I believe it. They're everywhere and they're loitering. I go to Town Center more than I do the Plaza because they're ill-mannered, loud and they act so stereotpical. I'm embarrassed for not just their parents, but for black people. You have to see it to believe it/understand it."
Maybe you didn't notice I agree to disagree because in no way will I change my view or thoughts and I could post many school hostage situations highschool level and college level and a few have made the news but Why? I'm sure you are aware on some level
Here is another riot perpetrated by black teens last month. Once again, the newspaper is afraid to identify the race of the perpetrators, but they were all black:
Philly PD, mayor promise teen mob crackdown
TEXT SIZE By: JOANN LOVIGLIO The Associated Press
Wednesday March 24, 2010 02:14 PM
Philadelphia police say roving bands of unruly teens won't be tolerated.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and Mayor Michael Nutter says they've got a zero-tolerance policy for teenagers taking part in the sudden, disruptive mobs that have plagued downtown streets in recent months.
At a news conference Wednesday, officials said they have plans to quickly deal with gatherings prompted by messages spread via text message and social networking sites.
Advertisement
Officials say parents should be part of the solution by doing a better job monitoring their children.
The crackdown comes in the wake of a mob scene on South Street over the weekend.
More than two dozen teens were convicted of felony riot charges this week stemming from a pair of earlier incidents that each attracted at least 100 youths.
END OF ARTICLE
This makes at least three incidents of black teens rioting in major American cities over the past month.
Oh forgot to mention he was there with his 6 white friends!!! lol they bamboozled all of us parents Do you not understand lady KIDS LIE once or twice in their life WHITE OR BLACK!!! And your last question why would any parent think it's safe to drop their kids off, honeeeeeey you are talking to alot of parents black and white!!!! Just say the words and quit beating around the bush YOU DON'T WANT ANY BLACK KIDS IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS because you are stereotyping how our kids are-RACIST recheck the definition I provided for your ignorance!!!
Mr Jad I don't know you nor do I agree with you but let's just agree to disagree. KCGirl whoever you are thank you for showing your true colors in your last statements. I know several children that were there to have a good time and were not involved and they are great parents as I am! I have the greates black teenager on earth and he is mannerable and polite and I am always being told this by multiple races. My child would never be involved in a riot nor any type of violence BECAUSE of how he was raised. All of his good mannerisms come from ME!! So your hurls about my parenting get you some facts before you try to get personal because YOU ARE IGNORANT!!! Does he slip and do things teenagers do sometimes, suuuuuure he does but he is by no means anything you can cojur our black children to be!!! I believe you are a racist person!!! Oh by the way I hope all paid close attention to the definition of racist. They said it I didn't!!!
Kitty: My question is... If your neighborhood is so unsafe, and those other neighborhoods are so unsafe... That you wouldn't let your kids run around... Why do you happen to think that MY NEIGHBORHOOD is the place where they'd be safe to run around without supervision??? Huh? Just wondering? Why is it OKAY for your kids to GALLAVANT around my neighborhood with no parental supervision??? I'm just wondering.
Why would ANY parents think that this is okay? Dropping your kids off on the PLAZA is not the same as dropping them off at THE MALL.
I forgot to mention in my previous post that when I Googled "white teens riot" it came up with "zero" hits. Instead, as I said, the lead article is from today's news, which describes a riot by black teens at a mall in Cleveland last night. This is a clear indication of the endemic nature of what occurred on the Plaza. It would be no surprise to uncover similar incidents nationwide.
Kitty, may I suggest your start your own blog? You could title it: SHUT THE F*** UP ABOUT THE BLACK PEOPLE YOU WHITES GOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS OF YOUR OWN. But that's not the subject or purpose of this particular article and comments section. I think everyone would be gratified if you'd tone down your angry rhetoric and try to respond to the points people are raising in a literate way, instead of accusing people of being racist just because they're talking about it.
What happened on the Plaza is white people's business too, not just black people's business.
On a side note: You are doing exactly what we said would happen... You are a parent that wasn't responsible for her child, (which is funny because you are all up in arms about her safety) and is now making it a race issue... defending yourself by turning the responsibility and blame on US, because you can't take the blame yourself. I doubt it is any surprise to people on this board that your kid was part of this mess... I'm sorry that you don't know how to be responsible. I'm sorry that you don't like the idea that you made a mistake. I'm sorry that you don't like the fact that you are being held accountable. You are... and it's not my problem lady... so YOU fix it instead of screaming about how we are racist. It'll get your kid no where to yell at us, other than by you defending that behavior... you may be picking them up from jail, the hospital or worse. I wish you the best of luck with that.
Kitty: You make the most ignorant arguments on this page. Which proves that you are not, as you say, "More intelligent than you could or would ever be!" I'm not suprised it was a child of yours that was down there... sorry, but I'm not. If you raise your child hating on white people the way you are right now... I bet they feel the same way... and that's where this problem stems from. Parents. Like. You.
And I can relate Sir to your article that you dug up, I understand just as your schools being held hostage ending in several murders is what? A NATIONAL FAD??? You can't speak on ours! Try figuring your bigger problems with your kids out before you come this way with your thoughts!
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. ... straight from Websters dictionary and if you like I can go back through this whole posted conversation and pick out probably more than 10 examples of this. Just let me know! I know you believe wholeheartedly that you are not racist but YOU ARE! Try discussing the Plaza incident without ACCIDENTLY dispaying your racism, I don't think you can.................
Screaming racism, rational disussion, sweety that won't work and unlike you guys I don't need any back up! More intelligent than you could or would ever be!
I thought I'd see if I could find anything on the web about white kids rioting, so I Googled "white teens riot" and this is the first article that came up, from today's web page for Fox 8 news in Cleveland: (The oh-so politically correct newspaper doesn't mention it, but the perpetrators described are all black, and this riot occurred in a "white" neighborhood as well. You can go to the web page and see the comments section, which - not coincidentally - carries much of the angry racist tone that Kitty uses and which reinforces my statements to her.
So now we have a larger perspective - what happened on the Plaza was not a unique, isolated incident - it's a national fad: do we see any parallels here?
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS -- Six teenage girls are under arrest and a police officer is hurt after a riot at a local shopping center.
Police describe the incident at Severance Town Center in Cleveland Heights as a "major disturbance." Cleveland Heights police say they had to call in officers from three neighboring departments to bring the situation under control.
"We got about 100 teenagers up in here causing...it's crazy, we need some kind of security," the manager of the Wal-Mart store is heard telling a 911 dispatcher at 8:42 P.M. Sunday.
Officers say the disturbance began at the Wal-Mart where more than 100 teens roamed the store. They say many took bicycles off racks, and raced them up and down the aisles.
"Have you asked them to leave the store?" the dispatcher asks the manager. "There are so many of them, it's like 100 of them, I asked a couple of them to leave...it could turn into a situation, so I'm asking for police presence," the manager replies.
"Police cars responded and managed to clear the juveniles out of the store, but then they re-assembled over at the Regal Cinemas," explained Cleveland Heights police chief Martin Lentz.
Two Cleveland Heights police officers were off-duty working security at the nearby movie theater. "Send everybody you got up here!" one is heard telling dispatchers on a police recording.
That's when police say three girls started fighting, then several fights broke out in the lobby. An officer sprained his wrist when he was pushed up against a wall.
"The group from Wal-Mart joined approximately 100 waiting to get into the cinema..now there was legitimate patrons trying to buy tickets, but pushed their way into the lobby area," said Chief Lentz.
Police say the crowd swelled to about 250. Cleveland Heights police were forced to call in officers from Shaker Heights, University Heights and South Euclid to help get the situation under control.
Six girls, between 14 and 16-years-old were arrested. They appeared in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Tuesday where they were charged with aggravated rioting.
"You're here for an alleged riot outside of a movie theater where people can't even go to the movies because there's groups of kids out there in packs fighting," juvenile court magistrate Valerie Bickerstaff told one of the girls.
All six girls were ordered held in juvenile detention for a varying amount of days. Then, they must remain on home detention.
According to a police report, many teens were "screaming, yelling, blocking traffic, and running in front of moving vehicles" during the melee.
"It's scary to the public too...Severance Shopping Center is very important to this city, we can't have something like this continue," said Chief Lentz.
END OF ARTICLE
mmm, do we see any parallels here?
My point Sir is these kids just happen to be BLACK just like yours happen to be white when they do the ignorant violent things they do. If you think your precious always supposedly being watched by their parents white kids could not have done this you are A FOOL! But I'm glad you said "all colors have their FAIR share of problems" didn't think you knew that! Once again speak on your kids and the things they do since your race is the experts on why are kids do what they do! Your racist opinions are not needed! Don't mistake it I know what the discussion is about but when you bring race into it that opens the door for me to remind you about your race! I'll tell you what you two need to do because these black people you are referencing I will never be have a conversation with black people who don't know any better and can't see hidden racism. You'll be great at proving your point! Oh and by the way my 16 yr old was there and I DID KNOW HE WAS THERE but was unaware of the GREAT MEET UP!!! And let him know how stupid stupid stupid that was and grounded him even though he didn't riot or participate in the violence! So yeah I'm a black person who knows where my children are contrary to what you think of our race as a whole!
Wow. Kitty, there is no doubt people of all colors have their share of problems but THIS discusion is about 700 "BLACK" kids rioting on the plaza and my whole point was you dont see white kids or any other race in this country rioting for no reason. If I am wrong, give me an example of RIOTING, not raping or killing or any other crime for that matter.
And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the problem.
Kitty would rather scream "racist" than even begin to have a rational discussion.
Are there any black readers of this blog that have anything intelligent to say?
And I hope you are white the way you say "the black kids" and you were a N LOVER!!! Only ignorant white people use that word!!! So save it and play games with someone else!!!
You should applaud louder on the ability to keep racism alive and if you aren't white well shame on you! And I don't have to deflect, reflect or whatever you want to come up with. I CANNOT STAND PEOPLE LIKE YOU!!!! Never lived on 34th or 64th for that matter and won't be where I am for long!! And YES SIR I said that about my neighbors, you don't like that do you? And you're right that's exactly what I want you to do, have a conversation with your racist mindframes about YOUR children in YOUR race! And no doubt that you'd be safer on 34th. My point is YOU'RE NOT SAFE ANYWHERE! Let's see do I want to get shot by a thug or held hostage and shot at school? Do I want to be around crackheads or methheads? Do I want to live by drug dealers or men that like underage girls? By the way if you guys are such experts on raising kids and what we need to do as a race then why haven't you fixed what the hell your kids repeatedly do to make BIG NEWS on 5'oclock news??? Racist, Racist, Racist! Pointless!
Commenting about the "breakdown of the black family" is "racist crap about my race?"
OK, Kitty, let's have a discussion about the breakdown of the black family, and specifically how it ties into the point the poster made about what happened on the Plaza. We'll have an impartial and unbiased discussion. We'll leave the "racist crap" out of it. You begin. For starters, in your opinion,is there such a thing as the "breakdown of the black community?" If so, to what extent does it impact the actions of black youth?
I'm glad that you've deserted the inner city and now live in an "all-white suburb." Oxymoronic, since you're there, but I'll let it pass. Tell me, I'm curious, why don't you want to live at 34th and Michigan?
And again, you mention things that have nothing to do with the wilding on the Plaza, and amazingly, you equate your white neighbors with "how many pedophiles are on my block" and if "I'll be raped and robbed" in your all-white community.
If I understand you right, you just inferred that your new neighbors are pedophiles, rapists, and robbers. Well darn, Kitty, you may be safer at 34th and Michigan after all.
Your comments can't be taken seriously when you're playing the "race card" repeatedly. This is because white people know that black people will scream "racism" at the slightest opportunity, and they so often do this in order to redirect the issue from black behavior to white behavior.
When you say "your kids do this our kids do that" you are using an old debate trick called "deflection." This discussion is not about white kids engaging in riotous behavior on the Plaza. It is about black kids and specifically what happened Saturday night. If you want to start a thread about the behaviors of white kids, by all means do so. You might be surprised at what white people have to say about it, we have plenty of "riff-raff," and aren't about to deny it. But a statement used as a ploy to redirect the discussion and put whites on the defensive - which is what you did - doesn't in any way contribute and it completely muddles any valid argument you may have.
and Mr. Letsbreak it down your pointing out "Your race does the same... and that just makes you as bad as the prior sentence" speaks for itself primarily the "just as bad part". My point since you missed it is I know for a FACT your kids do all kind of ignorant things that sometimes end in multiple deaths and that's what you two should focus on not on this incident. Let us take care of that! Are we just ignoring that fact? What do you have to say about the hostage situations at schools your white kids create? Or is that just not that bad and I guess it's thier parents fault?
I guess I am racist then in your book, so be it but I know one thing I don't need a million stories or examples to tell it!! And since you are such an expert what would it have taken for your peoples kids not to hold other kids and teachers hostage and kill a few?????????? Oh yeah I'm waiting on the latest one this year! Along with the latest cult mass suicides. Stick to talking about your own crazy @$$ race because after all you are white!
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