Armed Forces in Ferguson?

         After being in the recent news for quite some time, it's safe to say that if you haven't heard about the controversial shooting in Ferguson, you might live under a rock.  I'm not here to discuss the events of what happened that night, whether Michael Brown was the person the media portrayed him to be, if the decision of the grand jury declining to indict Darren Wilson was correct or not, or even anything about that horrific night on August 9th.  What I'm here to discuss is the group called the "Oath Keepers"

Oath Keepers patrolling the roofs in Ferguson 

        According to the Oath Keepers website, their mission statement describes them as, "a non-partisan association of current and formerly serving military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters who will fulfill the Oath we swore, with the support of like minded citizens who take an Oath to stand... to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God" (oath keepers.org).  They were founded by Stewart Rhodes, a former Yale graduate, attorney and ex-paratrooper.  They are seen as an extreme right wing group that frowns upon the way the government is doing its job, and the direction that the president is leading this country to.  
          

The Official Oath Keeper Emblem

            How in the world does a non-profit right wing watch group from Nevada have to do with the riots and recent protests in Ferguson, Missouri; quite a lot actually.  Based on their promise to protect and serve all things American, a man known as 'Andrews', and other volunteers offered to protect and serve as security at night for local Businesses in downtown Ferguson that wanted their help.  Their arrival could not have come at a worse time for policeman, seeing that they already have to worry about violent protests turning into riots, and now a group of watchman sitting on top of local businesses with rifles making sure none of them are broken into.  I believe that the recent movement of the Oath Keepers is not only to genuinely help and service the hard working members of the Ferguson community, but also is their way of obtaining a little sliver of lime light, and using these recent events for their own benefit.  Their is a quote in the world of politics and media that, "theres no such thing as bad publicity", and The Oath Keepers are believers of this motto and see this as their opportunity to be broadcasted on news to potential members and donators to their cause.  

For the article on yahoo news that I first heard about this story, just follow the link below the website: 
http://news.yahoo.com/oath-keepers-guard-fergusons-streets-rooftops-drawing-police-224853846--abc-news-topstories.html

If the Oath Keepers have struck your curiosity and you'd like to learn more about the non-profit group, just follow the links below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_Keepers
and also the Oath Keepers official website, http://oathkeepers.org/oath/

White Like Me response

         Today in class we watched the documentary titled, "White Like Me", which is based off the book written by civil rights activist and writer Tim Wise.  I came into class thinking that today was going to be an easy class, in which we would wind down and take a break, but it turned into one of the most self-exploring and active classes I've participated in this semester.  Tim Wise is a person that I can closely relate to and connect with.  He is a middle class white make, born to two white parents that did nothing but try and give their children the best in their lives.

Activist and Author Tim Wise

He was never 'rich', but he never struggled for most of the things in his life, similar to me.  After closely aligning and feeling connected to Wise, I think that's why his message had such a personal impact on me.

The Documentary and Novel "White Like Me 

         
           I don't agree with all of his political views and I'm not going to say that his documentary changed my political view completely on very controversial issues in America, but it sure did make me question my views, and try to figure out why I think these ways, and why other people either oppose of follow my views.  I come from a family that has very strong convictions, and holds tight to those convictions, but also pride themselves on respecting other's opinions, seeing the good in them and trying to understand people that are different from us.  After watching the video, and being exposed to even more of the tragedies and issues that still face America concerning the topic of Civil Rights, I really do wonder how we can solve this issue.  I don't believe that it is as severe as it was back in the 17 and 1800's, however I do see it as an evolved and forever changing issue that adapts and is still current based on the modern times.  Civil Rights for minorities are not being sought after in the way they were during the 1960's and 1970's, they have attained almost all equal rights as their white counterparts, however I believe that the issues facing minority civil rights in modern America is the social stigmas and stereotypes that are related to each group, and the effort to overcome those stereotypes.
       

Whites Protests With Blacks In Detroit 

            One of my favorite parts of the documentary is the end.  The end is a little overwhelming because it bring together all these horrific events and a tension builds that maybe their is no solution to the issue.  There are two extremely different sides that almost will never see eye to eye.  However rights after this tension is peaking with all the television show excerpts of people debating the issue of black rights, there is a moment at the end that shows hope.  The answer by Tim Wise is to look into history and instead of focussing on the people that opposed the civil rights laws and movement, to look at the white people that DID help the black Americans achieve their rights to what they are today.

For more background on Tim Wise's Novel and Documentary "White Like Me", follow this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Like_Me