Protests in US

Disturbing images all over the news this morning.

It is indeed unfortunate and very disturbing. Perhaps the worst bit (IMHO) is that so many 'protesters' likely haven't a clue what is/is not going on, but use this as an excuse to loot and generally vent frustrations. Not different to what happened here a few years back.

True protesters don't riot (again IMHO); MLK Jr. was living proof of that, and I have great respect for the things he accomplished in his too-short lifetime.

Disturbing images all over the news this morning.

Well, of course.  That's what the news is for.

While the whole issue is undoubtedly upsetting, I can't help but feel a bit cynical about media coverage.  I'm sure they're doing their best to document all the most extreme moments, and I wonder to what extent that helps perpetuate the rioting.

Well, of course.  That's what the news is for.

True.

"Boot sale occurs with no complaints" just doesn't stir things up.

"Stream handling heavy rains perfectly!"

"Group of quiet teens move off down pavement away from shop! Owner says, "They behaved as normal."

The whole thing saddens me to no end. The protesting, violence and hatred only make things worse. Nothing is solved, only more problems created.

I completely agree the media makes it worse. Far worse. If they'd stay away, and stop covering every minute of the horror, the protesting wouldn't be nearly as bad, and would fizzle out a lot sooner. I doubt anyone would be as likely to tear up everything in sight if there would be no coverage of it, no feeling that your protest was being known about.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Michael Brown, and the officer. It was a very unfortunate incident which has blown way out of proportion by people who probably never even met either of them.  Michael's parents never got the chance to mourn him properly, with all the chaos and violence.

I can't help but feel a bit cynical about media coverage.  I'm sure they're doing their best to document all the most extreme moments, and I wonder to what extent that helps perpetuate the rioting.

True.

"Boot sale occurs with no complaints" just doesn't stir things up.

"Stream handling heavy rains perfectly!"

"Group of quiet teens move off down pavement away from shop! Owner says, "They behaved as normal."

Would you buy any of those newspapers?  Or watch the news broadcast that said "Nothing much happened today" followed by 22 minutes of the anchor sitting at the desk playing Candy Crush Saga?

They're showing things that happened, and while I'm sure they look for the most interesting things ("extreme moments") it's because they're visually interesting, and they're trying to get as many people as they can to watch so they can sell ad time.  In other words, they're doing what they do; you might as well get angry at the rain for falling.

I don't understand how y'all think "the media" could make the protests go away if they just didn't cover them.  You can't solve all society's problems by turning television cameras the other way, or only printing newspaper stories about spelling bees.  Sometimes bad things happen in the world, and hiding from it won't make it stop.

I completely agree the media makes it worse. Far worse. If they'd stay away, and stop covering every minute of the horror, the protesting wouldn't be nearly as bad, and would fizzle out a lot sooner. I doubt anyone would be as likely to tear up everything in sight if there would be no coverage of it, no feeling that your protest was being known about.

I totally disagree. "No feeling that your protest was known about"?  Isn't the whole point of protesting something to get your feeling about that thing known?  The people of Ferguson are protesting (in part) because they think their government and their police department don't care about them.  The solution is not for the rest of the country to stop paying attention.

It is indeed unfortunate and very disturbing. Perhaps the worst bit (IMHO) is that so many 'protesters' likely haven't a clue what is/is not going on, but use this as an excuse to loot and generally vent frustrations. Not different to what happened here a few years back.

True protesters don't riot (again IMHO); MLK Jr. was living proof of that, and I have great respect for the things he accomplished in his too-short lifetime.

During the August protests in Ferguson, it was found that most of the people arrested were from places outside of Ferguson.  This wave of protests has also had some outsiders arrested.  Unfortunately, there are always some "lower elements" who will take advantage of a crisis.  Besides outsiders coming in to join in the disorder, there has already been a fake Go Fund Me for Natale DuBose, whose cake business was destroyed in the rioting. 

However, I have also seen pictures in the media, including #Ferguson on Twitter, of people helping to clean up after the riots.  Many of those are young, black, male college students.  I understand that there were also members of the clergy out there, trying to keep things peaceful.

From what I understand, Ferguson has had a lot of frustration simmering for years, and Michael Brown's death put it on boil.  While I can understand being angry and agree with the right to peacefully assemble, I cannot comprehend how vandalism, looting and rioting will help anyone.  A lot of the businesses destroyed were small, and could have served as someone's first step on the employment ladder.  The Little Caesar's burning alone has cost 12 jobs, and the manager said he's not sure if they'll rebuild in Ferguson.  Because many insurance policies don't pay out for losses due to rioting or civil disorder, I wonder how many will be able to come back, or want to, in Ferguson.  It is a mess, and my prayers go out to those who live there.   

The people of Ferguson are protesting (in part) because they think their government and their police department don't care about them. 

I agree totally with this. My comments on the media are more along the lines of taking pictures of burning buildings rather than peaceful protest.

I totally disagree. "No feeling that your protest was known about"?  Isn't the whole point of protesting something to get your feeling about that thing known?  The people of Ferguson are protesting (in part) because they think their government and their police department don't care about them.  The solution is not for the rest of the country to stop paying attention.

I agree with camoscato. What is the point of protesting if not for 'their protest being known about'? That's the whole idea behind the action: letting people know.

You can't solve all society's problems by turning television cameras the other way, or only printing newspaper stories about spelling bees.  Sometimes bad things happen in the world, and hiding from it won't make it stop.

I'm not suggesting that the story shouldn't have been covered, or that we should just ignore things until they go away.  Far from it!

But you have to admit, there's a pretty clear distinction between thorough journalistic coverage, and sensationalised, 24-Hour cable news filler.  And yes, I think that the latter has the potential to distort issues.  It's designed less to inform, than to provoke emotional reactions in viewers.  It's 'infotainment,' and in a case like this, I think it can do far more harm than good.

Of course you want your protest known about. But when the sensationalized media frenzy fuels the mob mentality to the point where it is all mayhem and destruction, it is out of hand. Make your point known, get the word out there, but not in a destructive way.

How, exactly, does tearing up your town, setting things/businesses/anything you can on fire, looting from stores, and all the other out of control behavior bring justice? What, exactly, does all of that have to do with a protest? Protesting is making your displeasure about a situation known. Rioting, setting things on fire, looting and damage shows you are only out to cause damage.

While I realize it is only a small part of the community going berserk and the rest are trying to keep things peaceful, it is those who are going about it the wrong way that are getting the media attention, not the ones who are doing it right.

Of course you want your protest known about. But when the sensationalized media frenzy fuels the mob mentality to the point where it is all mayhem and destruction, it is out of hand. Make your point known, get the word out there, but not in a destructive way.

How, exactly, does tearing up your town, setting things/businesses/anything you can on fire, looting from stores, and all the other out of control behavior bring justice? What, exactly, does all of that have to do with a protest? Protesting is making your displeasure about a situation known. Rioting, setting things on fire, looting and damage shows you are only out to cause damage.

While I realize it is only a small part of the community going berserk and the rest are trying to keep things peaceful, it is those who are going about it the wrong way that are getting the media attention, not the ones who are doing it right.

Totally agree. The rioting and destruction isn't a protest, and it certainly doesn't change anyone's opinion for the better.

How, exactly, does tearing up your town, setting things/businesses/anything you can on fire, looting from stores, and all the other out of control behavior bring justice? What, exactly, does all of that have to do with a protest? Protesting is making your displeasure about a situation known. Rioting, setting things on fire, looting and damage shows you are only out to cause damage.

Totally agree. The rioting and destruction isn't a protest, and it certainly doesn't change anyone's opinion for the better.

"A riot is the language of the unheard." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1966, in an interview with Mike Wallace of CBS News.

I can see why Dr. King would make that quote, but it seems to me he would try every other avenue first before even thinking of rioting. I'm not saying people don't have their side that should be aired. I just think it is wrong when people who would have never otherwise known Michael Brown's name, and ever met him to suddenly start violently tearing up the town over something they don't agree with.

The justice system isn't perfect, and there are thousands of people who don't agree with judge's decisions every day. If there were riots for all of them, the world would be doomed.

Seems there's more to the story....and much more that ought to be quoted.

http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2014/11/in-ferguson-riots-social-media-corrupts-mlks-message/