Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 8-21-15 Edition

Be Careful What You Wish For
“We're ready for what? We're ready for war. We're ready for what? We're ready for war.”
This was the chant heard from some of the demonstra- tors in Ferguson, Missouri two weeks ago during a gath- ering commemorating the 1- year anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer.
The provocative cadence was briefly broadcast during coverage of a shooting that al- legedly occurred between po- lice officers and an individual attending the event. While the incendiary language and the shootout weren't believed to be connected, it wasn't hard to imagine how the entire episode may have been inter- preted across the airwaves by certain segments of the U. S. population. And it wasn't long before the cry for war was met with a not-so-subtle response.
During the very next night of demonstrations, as if on cue, several white men wear- ing body armor and carrying large assault rifles arrived on the scene. They weren't cops from another jurisdiction. They weren't National Guard troops. They were just some white guys, who probably heard the call for conflict, and decided to show up to find out who was really, in the words of rapper French Montana, “about that life.”
According to the 4 gun- toting men, who drew a de- cent amount of media
attention for their brazen dis- play, they were only the visi- ble portion of a much larger contingency called “The Oath Keepers,” who made the journey to Ferguson. The others, they said, thought it was best to stay behind the scenes. The group’s mission, I imagine, was to simply make their presence known to any would-be urban dwelling ad- versaries who may have de- veloped the courage to place action with their words.
Of course, this wasn’t the first time the “Oath Keep- ers” made an appearance in Ferguson. Last November, on the day the Missouri State At- torney planned to announce the grand jury's decision on whether or not they would charge Officer Darren Wil- son in Brown’s death, the Oath Keepers were posi- tioned on the rooftops of buildings, claiming they were there to protect businesses from being looted.
What is amazing is that, even though they were sup- posedly warned by police offi- cials at the time not to pull that sort of stunt again, they were comfortable enough to return to the area bearing the same offensive weaponry.
The thing I find the most interesting about this clandes- tine organization is that, while they classify themselves as a far-right winged, anti-govern- ment militia, they seem to only spring into action when it appears as though law en-
forcement needs their assis- tance. You would think that a group, whose agenda consists of protecting constitutional liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, right to bear arms etc.., would be on the side of those who are standing up against sys- tematic oppression.
But, I guess, since phrases like “right-winged” and “anti- government” are just coded ti- tles for racist white people who fear living in a country where non-whites are running the show, siding with a small town police force, who shares the same beliefs, makes per- fect sense. In their mind, it not only allows them the chance to use all of their para- military training, but it also potentially gives them, what they perceive to be, a legal op- portunity to shoot the people they view as their real ene- mies.
I don't believe anyone should be surprised that the police officers in Ferguson gave a level of latitude to the “Oath Keepers” that they, more than likely, wouldn't have extended to any Black men who dared to put on the same demonstration. That is mainly due to the fact that there's something the average white cop always sees in the members of these types of or- ganizations that he'll never be able to see in a person of color.... himself.
The quickness in which this militia mobilized along with the abundance of coop- eration they received from local law enforcement in the immediate vicinity should have shown those spewing war rhetoric how shamefully ill-equipped they are for a physical confrontation.
While shouting loudly that you're ready for a fight makes for good television, without any kind of structure to back up the talk, it's simply a cool sounding death wish.
Realistically, that energy would be better served being aimed into the direction of the nearest voting booth. A place where they'll not only, get more accomplished, but could also allow them the opportu- nity to enjoy the spoils of vic- tory without the unnecessary loss of life.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Com- pany. Anyone wishing to contact Clarence Barr can email him at: realityon- ice@yahoo.com.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015