Predictions wanted: when is the next race riot?

[Alpharetta]

We had a couple of big ones in the 80's and 90's. Many cities after the Rodney King verdict. Miami after the police trials.

We've had smaller ones since then. Cincinatti. Benton Harbor, Michigan.

We know there will be more. A bigger one, inevitably. Schools are ignored. Health systems are decaying. The system is abandoning the bottom half of our population. Anger is building. There will be another flashpoint.

Where and when?

[noiretextatique]

1. you forgot the republican race riot

florida, 2000.

[sangh0]

2. heh

.

[forgethell]

8. Nothing racial about that

It was purely political

[noiretextatique]

10. is it ever "racial" unless non-whites are involved? eom

[forgethell]

15. It is racial

only when race is the equation. this was Democratic vs. Republican. If I recall correctly, the Rs were demonstrating to prevent the Ds from stealing, in their opinion, votes from Bush. Not everything that people get angry about is racial, even if the races tend to line up on one side or the other. IMO

[noiretextatique]

17. most so-called "race riots" are also "political," imho

oftentimes ignited by the very political nature of the american criminal justice system.
and would the disenfranchisement of mostly black voters in florida...would that be racial or political, iyho...or both?
and since most republicans...well, this could go on forever.

[bluestateguy]

3. Riots

The issues you mentioned have also troubled the white working class as well, though they do not experience racial prejudice. I'm inclined to think that any major riot that takes place in the future will be due to class, not racial grievances. Furthermore, if any of us are hoping to see progressive advances after a riot, we had better hope that the public does not percieve it as simply a "race riot".

[Alpharetta]

4. America doesn't seem to have class riots any more

There's just no flashpoint for them.

You can give the rich a $400B tax cut, and the rest of us will shoulder the debt without a single rock thrown.

[JNelson6563]

5. my money's on the south somewhere

been simmerin' down there a long time....

Julie

[arewethereyet]

11. been coolin off down there a long time..

I live here.

I'm watching California to see how the populace reacts to the governor's belt tightening. Probably Oakland or LA.

[oneighty]

6. Starting

around 2050 "Whites" will be protesting having to learn Spanish. Equal opportunity will become a "White's" issue. The Rev.M.L. King dream will be reality. "Whites" will be dreaming about regaining the "White House". They will be rioting in the streets. Maybe.

180

[DUreader]

7. We are in the midst of one long slow-motion race riot

Take a look at our prisons, profiling by police and the use of

deadly force.

[Isome]

9. Who can predict where or when...

I take issue with the phrase race riot because riots involving whites happen with equal regularity, but they're not described as riots, nor classified by the race of the participants.

An easier prediction would be where it won't happen. I doubt the next true instance will confine itself to, or begin in, the neighborhoods frequented by the rioters. In fact, I don't think any consequential actions will be taken that are not carefully planned, as opposed to the impulsive destruction (rioting) of the recent past. It will be more revolt than riot insofaras it will be organized, violence will be used only in self defense, its attack of the problem will be multi-pronged, and it will have support from surprising people & places.

[Alpharetta]

12. help me out here

I take issue with the phrase race riot because riots involving whites happen with equal regularity, but they're not described as riots, nor classified by the race of the participants.

Which riots are you referring to? Anything near the magnitude of Benton Harbor, much less L.A. or Miami?

It might help me understand your point. I'm willing to learn.

[Isome]

14. Oh', well allow me to introduce you to anti-racist essayist Tim Wise:

Case in point: Salt Lake City, where in the waning hours of the Winter Olympics, white folks who were turned away from a local "beer garden" decided to take out their frustrations on cars, cops and each other.

That the coverage of the Olympic "beer riot" was decidedly different than that for any riot ever led by people of color goes without saying. News reports of the events in the land of Mormon discussed the violence in a whimsical, bemused fashion, on a sort of "gee, don't they have anything better to do" kind of tip – as opposed to the preachy and scared shitless tone reserved for black and brown folks who act up in such a fashion. And of course the mere labeling of the phenomenon as a "beer riot" in the first place is instructive.

...Since the mid-'90s, white riots have occurred on more than twenty college campuses, mostly as the result of crackdowns on underage drinking or earlier closing times for local bars. Whites also have taken to rioting as the result of college football or basketball games. Unlike people of color, who at least choose important issues to raise hell over – like police brutality, poverty and racism—

The schools victimized by rioters include: Colorado University, Iowa State, Penn State, the Universities of Wisconsin at Whitewater and Oshkosh, Southern Illinois University, the University of Delaware, Michigan State, Washington State, Plymouth State, the University of Akron and the University of New Hampshire.

• .::.Click here for a story on Colorado University.::.
  
  
• .::.Click here for University of Minnesota response to rioting— a "fad".::.
  
  
• .::.Click here for Washington State University.::.

I should also point out .::.Woodstock 1999.::. —the white kids were overturning cars, ripping up tents and vendor booths, pulling down lighting stands and scaffolding and setting fires throughout the venue, and the possible half-dozen sexual assaults and/or rapes that occurred.

Anything near the "magnitude" you ask... well, read up and you tell me what you think. mmmkay?

[Alpharetta]

16. okay I see your points. are you saying the term is never valid?

I won't argue regarding magnitude. A riot is a riot. You're right.

I want to understand how the term might be racist.

a labor riot is a labor riot.
student riots are student riots.
A beer riot is a beer riot.

Now you may know Woodstock, Salt Lake City, or whatever college town was only white kids. But they weren't rioting about racial issues. So it wasn't a race riot, I contend.

Are you saying I can't call L.A. a race riot even though it started because of perceived racial injustice?

I appreciate your patience with me on this.

[pnb]

18. Apples and oranges

A race riot is a riot that has something to do with a real or perceived racial issue. Those other riots you mention have nothing to do with that at all.

[Isome]

25. ZZZOOOOOOOM... RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD n/t

[DUreader]

13. And it won't be on mainstream TV or Radio

[pnb]

19. I MJ is convicted?

I've seen some anger out there just about the mere fact that he was arrested.

[salin]

20. Funny you should ask

given that this weekend there was another incident in Cininatti, where tensions remain high.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=247202

Not predicting a riot just found this news item timely for inclusion.

[Wapsie B]

21. How about

next year, mid to late summer in some major city? Then it will be just in time to scare all the repugs into voting for chimpy. He'll keep 'em safe.

Seeing all those angry people of color rioting on the TV screen will make whitebread, konservative xian amerika flock to the polls.

[SeattleRob]

22. Won't Participate...

I won't participate in this poll because it is part of the old
divide and conquer strategy B.S. It's the same thing as blaming immigrants for our bad economy.

The truth is that ordinary U.S. citizens (whatever their race) have much more in common with immigrants than we do with the ruling elites who are robbing us blind.

[TexasMexican]

23. Cincinatti again

apparently the cops beat some 400 pound black guy to death.

[theboss]

24. In Grosse Point, MI

Just call it a hunch.

I hit on 18 in blackjack too.