Thanks for writing this -- a proper perspective isn’t commonly found through the usual channels. It’s perplexing to imagine such a deeply segregated city being “unified,” and to also consider the circular role that segregation plays in fomenting this hate and violence. I hope this new administration has some clever way to integrate the diversity that exists here so that we can imagine a truly unified community and the poor white kids can learn experientially to transcend the right wing nonsense they’ve been fed generationally.
I *think* the sheriff meant to point out the unity on camera during the press conference -- law enforcement on one side, and a slate of progressive elected officials on the other. Presumably this was intended to suggest/promise that law enforcement would be working to stop anti-black terrorism rather than letting Deep South business as usual carry on.
But the point about the city's segregation stands. The schools and affordable housing are still major sources of segregation here--and also major opportunities to address that problem.
Excellent. I'm absolutely shocked that people still fall back on lazy responses like "one bad apple" and, in Waters's case, "This is not [every town in which these things continue to happen]. Thanks also for pointing out the need to retire the "lone wolf" cliche. I thought it was interesting that Waters said, "This is not Jacksonville" and that Deegan said, "This is a community that has suffered again and again. So many times this is where we end up." Totally opposite responses.
Yes--I picked up on that dynamic as well. Everyone there at the press conference was presenting a unified face, obviously unified against the shooter. But perspectives on the larger problem are not unified, and I guess it was not the place to start openly debating the issues.
Finally someone sees through the gov DeSantis appointed police chief. Our new mayor is being blamed by DeSantis but she just started 20 years of Republican leadership, racist monuments, confederate flags etc are our daily life. Jason Aldean played Friday and it is just all so bad. Now these same hateful people get to open carry assault weapons. I am just so tired and mad and the hope fades away as fast as it came.
feeling your frustration, Sarah -- change sure comes slowly! I hope Deegan and crew can kick through some of these barriers to progress. I have some confidence. But as always we need to watch and respond. Good leadership should welcome that.
Well said! Ax Handle Saturday took place in Jacksonville only 63 years ago. Racism has always been rampant there. Racist domestic terrorists are everywhere, and they’re just getting more emboldened from MAGA brainwashing. Republican propaganda (ever since Nixon and Reagan) seems designed to trigger these easily influenced and impressionable idiots into radicalization.
Thanks for commenting, Shannon! I forgot you lived in Florida before we met in Atlanta!
Agreed -- whether the propaganda and false narratives about race, affirmative action, and immigration come from the White House or from a social media shitposting asshole like Richard Spencer or Richard Hanania, the intent--and the effect --is often to activate these racists.
FYI, I have just updated the story with corrections to some titles for our elected officials and with stronger connections to this weekend's race-related anniversaries. On the racial violence side, we have the anniversary of Axehandle Saturday this very weekend. On the protest and education side, we have the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. Pulling it all together--I'll be interested to see whether this killer mentioned these important local and national contexts in his "manifesto."
Thanks for writing this -- a proper perspective isn’t commonly found through the usual channels. It’s perplexing to imagine such a deeply segregated city being “unified,” and to also consider the circular role that segregation plays in fomenting this hate and violence. I hope this new administration has some clever way to integrate the diversity that exists here so that we can imagine a truly unified community and the poor white kids can learn experientially to transcend the right wing nonsense they’ve been fed generationally.
We are NOT UNIFIED!
I *think* the sheriff meant to point out the unity on camera during the press conference -- law enforcement on one side, and a slate of progressive elected officials on the other. Presumably this was intended to suggest/promise that law enforcement would be working to stop anti-black terrorism rather than letting Deep South business as usual carry on.
But the point about the city's segregation stands. The schools and affordable housing are still major sources of segregation here--and also major opportunities to address that problem.
Excellent. I'm absolutely shocked that people still fall back on lazy responses like "one bad apple" and, in Waters's case, "This is not [every town in which these things continue to happen]. Thanks also for pointing out the need to retire the "lone wolf" cliche. I thought it was interesting that Waters said, "This is not Jacksonville" and that Deegan said, "This is a community that has suffered again and again. So many times this is where we end up." Totally opposite responses.
Yes--I picked up on that dynamic as well. Everyone there at the press conference was presenting a unified face, obviously unified against the shooter. But perspectives on the larger problem are not unified, and I guess it was not the place to start openly debating the issues.
Finally someone sees through the gov DeSantis appointed police chief. Our new mayor is being blamed by DeSantis but she just started 20 years of Republican leadership, racist monuments, confederate flags etc are our daily life. Jason Aldean played Friday and it is just all so bad. Now these same hateful people get to open carry assault weapons. I am just so tired and mad and the hope fades away as fast as it came.
feeling your frustration, Sarah -- change sure comes slowly! I hope Deegan and crew can kick through some of these barriers to progress. I have some confidence. But as always we need to watch and respond. Good leadership should welcome that.
Thank you Laura! 💙💞
Well said! Ax Handle Saturday took place in Jacksonville only 63 years ago. Racism has always been rampant there. Racist domestic terrorists are everywhere, and they’re just getting more emboldened from MAGA brainwashing. Republican propaganda (ever since Nixon and Reagan) seems designed to trigger these easily influenced and impressionable idiots into radicalization.
Thanks for commenting, Shannon! I forgot you lived in Florida before we met in Atlanta!
Agreed -- whether the propaganda and false narratives about race, affirmative action, and immigration come from the White House or from a social media shitposting asshole like Richard Spencer or Richard Hanania, the intent--and the effect --is often to activate these racists.
FYI, I have just updated the story with corrections to some titles for our elected officials and with stronger connections to this weekend's race-related anniversaries. On the racial violence side, we have the anniversary of Axehandle Saturday this very weekend. On the protest and education side, we have the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. Pulling it all together--I'll be interested to see whether this killer mentioned these important local and national contexts in his "manifesto."