bad bad bad, news.

[george]

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7181616

[george]

Yeah, crazy stuff.

[george]

I am tired of violence on division.
I am convinced that the fuel for this violence is crack
but i am sure it runs deeper in social-enconomic factors.
I live just a few doors down from the episode and all day the media
was out on the avenue looking for comments. i did one on fox and
now regret what clip they choose to air.

the local media (most media) rushes out for the hot story that has
violence, many press releases and invites have gone out to local
media when positive cultural events occur. but they are too busy to come
out cover the good deeds on the block.

it reinforces to the young that an act of violence will get them
noticed.
anty artists/ musicians interested in doing an antiviolence
event on the avenue?
lets play media jujuitsu?

[george]

i would definitely be interested in playing at/attending/some other role at an event promoting nonviolence.

[george]

this is what happens inside that does not get coverage...
the grand rapids magazine is doing a story on the
the artist community look in the november issue.

[george]

Man, he doesn't seem like a guy that would shoot and kill someone. Does anyone think he shouldn't have shot him? Couldn't he have just called the police? Isn't he just as much a part of the violence?

[george]

Man, he doesn't seem like a guy that would shoot and kill someone. Does anyone think he shouldn't have shot him? Couldn't he have just called the police? Isn't he just as much a part of the violence?

I kind of thought the same thing.

But then imagined being asleep and hearing someone smashing out my window downstairs and walking around my house at 1 in the morning. I'd be scared shitless and can't honestly say what I'd do. I certainly don't own any guns so that wouldn't come into play...but just put yourself in that situation.

Of course, in real life, I have a fierce boston terrier who would lick the intruder to death...ha.

[george]

Man, he doesn't seem like a guy that would shoot and kill someone. Does anyone think he shouldn't have shot him? Couldn't he have just called the police? Isn't he just as much a part of the violence?

I kind of thought the same thing.

But then imagined being asleep and hearing someone smashing out my window downstairs and walking around my house at 1 in the morning. I'd be scared shitless and can't honestly say what I'd do. I certainly don't own any guns so that wouldn't come into play...but just put yourself in that situation.

Of course, in real life, I have a fierce boston terrier who would lick the intruder to death...ha.

i have two cats.

[Top]

i have two cats.

I'll sleep better tonight knowing you are safe.

[Top]

Isn't he just as much a part of the violence?

i think so. i've been really interested to hear what people who live in the artists' lofts think. i realize that you've got a lot of real life stuff to think about so posting isn't a high priority. so far only a couple of people have posted anything, and those have been posts reiterating that the neighborhood is mostly good and safe with a few erratic incidents like this.

i'm interested in what y'all think:
are you upset that there are break-ins?
are you upset that there are guns present in the artists' lofts?
are you upset that your neighbor used lethal defense?
are you worried that this might increase any schism that already existed between the residents of the lofts and the other members of the local community?
are you worried about this being bad publicity for the avenue and your businesses?
are you worried about this being bad publicity for dwelling place?
i'd really like to hear some of your insights...

[Top]

I think before this thread continues everyone should recognize that Jeff is probably going through some shit in his mind that is very intense. Not only being involved in such a terrible situation but having his face and name all over the news and internet chat rooms. I also think the idea of “he should have done this or that” is really not very constructive. Passing judgment on his reaction to a life-threatening situation is very bogus.

A few things pertaining to the problems on Division that discussion would be helpful in are, crack and policing and media.

I also find being against violence pointless. When lightning strikes there is violence, when there is a tornado there is violence. Violence is a tactic or an event not a thing unto itself that can be opposed. I think that the media fascination with violence is something that can be opposed. I think the cause of most of the violence on Division is crack, that is something to oppose. More over the police reaction to this, has been weak and ineffective. The residents of the area have tried to work with the police to combat the crack problem with little support.

[Top]

very good points, outo. i agree that few of us can begin to imagine what jeff is going through right now and that we should respect him as a person and not analyze his actions.

i also agree that constructive dialog should surround this. in my last post, i was trying to get a feel for what folks in the neighborhood thought of the situation. i know that issues with crack have been an ongoing, frustrating struggle. i really hope that something positive can come from this situation.

also, as part of a constructive dialog, i must respectfully disagree that violence is not something that can be opposed. it is. lightning and weather as phenomena that are not part of a cognitive being (unless you believe that God is cognitive and controls weather, but that's a whole other discussion). i am opposed to person-on-person violence. i am opposed to war. i am opposed to bar fights. i am opposed to police brutality and domestic violence. as a tactic, i am opposed to violence. these are my personal beliefs. i realize that humanity is historically and currently violent and that to oppose this is idealistic. however, gandhi and king and others have accomplished great things against great odds in nonviolent ways.

before anyone barrages me with what "would you do in this situation" or "have you ever been in this situation" questions, don't bother. as outo points out, the timing is too sensitive to ask this. my response would likely be seen as judgmental toward jeff, and i am not passing judgement--merely expressing my own belief.

[Top]

http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2007/10/n ... _burg.html

It's sad that someone lost their life, but I am glad Jeff is safe. (In full hypocrisy disclosure since I probably wouldn't have said this if it happened in East Grand Rapids) I'm glad that Jeff defended himself.

However, most of this press just fuels fears in suburban parents which seems to be the thrust of most local news. (I wonder if fewer kids will be dropped off at Skeletones?)

I was glad to hear Kaomi's story on NPR, it portrayed the story like it was and let everyone know how special the arts community on Division is.

[Top]

Well, ok obviously one can be opposed to the human use of violence as a means of control over other humans. But storms, sports, bike crashes can also be violent. I think when people try to be against violence in general it is really watered down and become essentially meaningless when the specific causes and patterns of violence are not examined. Violence is thought of as the problem, not the symptom. People act violently for a number of reasons I think it is better to look at those reasons than just “violence”.

Like in this situation, violence I believe is a symptom of a crack problem.

[Top]

'
i was amazed how quickly the police responded. despite cuts in the
department. it was good to know that they took the call seriously
and acted promptly. i feel safer knowing that if you call they respond.

h
anyway i would still like to know about ways to reduce man made violence
and perhaps we do need a mediator in the community to help make
relations better on the avenue.
perhaps somebody will listen. i think drug addiction should be seen as
not only a syptom but also as an illness and treated accordingly
drug addicts and drug related crimes should be viewed as a health issue.
the criminal law sysptem only punishes offenders and does very little
to help a person become a functional member of society.
a person coming out fo jail for a drug offense will likely not be hired
and that person ends up on the street looking for a way to survive.