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9/12/2018

A white police officer killed a young, black man. Again.

This one, however, is the most bizarre. This one has more questions than answers, puzzle pieces than clarity.

On September 6, on the edge of downtown Dallas, at an apartment complex, a white, female officer entered a young man's apartment and killed him in his own home. He was not a criminal. He was not resisting arrest, selling cigarettes, holding a toy gun, driving while not signaling or reaching for his identification as instructed. He was simply living. That's all anyone knows at this point.

Although the Texas Rangers are investigating, there are still many unanswered questions. But one thing is clear, black people are sick and tired of mourning and burying black boys, especially because of white police officers. I hope the "legal system" gets it right this time.

Although I have noted it many times before, I am compelled to repeat it again: There is something sinister about a certain group of people feeling like they have the absolute right to walk inside a church, a movie theater, a concert..or right inside a home..and kill black people. And like Jean Botham wanted to know, "Why did you do that?" Because all heaven knows black people don't know why.

Do you?

Read the commentary above, then comment on the following: "What impact does power or the lack of power have on certain groups?"

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

Due: Fri., Sept. 14, 2018 11:59 p.m. CST

Z. James 8th

9/13/2018 09:40:05 am

People with power will abuse it to get by in the world. In no way should a person with cold hard evidence against him/her, cannot be persecuted.People with power will feel that they are above the law and will try to break it. Giving people power will make them think that they can enforce anything and punish those who don't comply. People with power feels as if it is their right to do what they do, no matter how good or bad it may seem.

D.Gadson

9/13/2018 05:17:43 pm

I agree people think it’s okay to walk around doing crimes without an consequence. Even though there was times people got away with breaking rules it should not be a repeated routine. Giving people power makes them feel like they have more rights than others.

T.Harris

9/13/2018 09:33:36 pm

That's right Mr. James they don't know how to use there power without abusing it. This lady was quick to make an cover up story only so she can save herself. Not understanding that this is an misuse of empowerment . They should show her that she will not get off as easy because its been to many killings with cops and African Americans. This should be the time they put a punishment in place to show the law works both ways.

I. Chancellor 7th/8th period

9/14/2018 01:19:22 pm

With all honesty, this is so sad that people have to make a living by abusing their power, given to them. In agreement, she should be persecuted with all the evidence against her. For example, just like President Nixon, before he got caught in the Watergate scandal. Again, this is sad that people, with power will abuse it, by treating people bad. In conclusion, I wish we lived in a time, that people with power, respected people and their power.

M.Taylor 1st period

9/14/2018 07:35:20 pm

I agree with this statement because just because of the color of her/his skin and the power they have to PROTECT but sadly kills us off.. she would need to has similar consequences to a black man being accused of something because of their look not his or her background.

T.Tate 8th

9/14/2018 10:46:31 pm

I strongly feel what you are saying why Should people have to live in a world where living by abusing their power . People shouldn’t have to live like this and a person shouldn’t feel like they have so much power over any and everything they do . It’s something that needs to be stopped because it’s not ok at all

J. Griffith 2nd period

9/14/2018 01:49:40 pm

To this statement, I can deeply agree. if one gains to much power, they might abuse it and go off and do whatever. Its important to have it split up within the group. As stated to much power can go to ones head and they abuse it in every way possible.

T.falls 6th

9/14/2018 04:32:46 pm

I agree that People with power abuse it because they know they can.Why would they take their actions seriously when they come with no retaliation.The example above is a perfect example of an abuse of power because she committed a crime and yet has faced no punishment

K.Brown 8th

9/14/2018 04:56:27 pm

What you stated is a sad truth. When people get it into their head that they are above others and more powerful than others, they go crazy with it all. This added with if the society around us is telling one group that they are powerful and then letting them get away with things it just gets way out of hand.

N.Brown8th

9/14/2018 10:16:52 pm

I totally agree that people tend to give the wrong people power . People with power get power hungry and want any and everything. Either it’s their way or it’s no way for people with power .

Jniquea Jackson

9/14/2018 06:17:59 pm

I do agree with you . Some get the power and go over board on the job that are suppose to pursue . You are right they do think they can enforce on any thing which is not right. Having a cold hard is a conman thing to me now cause I see young black getting kill in day like with no remorse.

G Musa 6th

9/14/2018 06:34:11 pm

Everyone who gets power will always abuse it due to the new experience and different expectations, we stumble across new things in our journey. Evidence can be presented and they'll still deny it because no one wants to face time after their cruel and brutal murder.

N.Brown8th

9/14/2018 10:13:52 pm

I understand where your coming from Zion certain people don’t deserve a position with power . When they let the power go to their heads they can and will put others in danger. People are so caught up in wanting the power that when they get it they abuse it .

T.Tate 8th

9/14/2018 10:43:20 pm

What you are saying is very true because people with power would feel like they have so much control over everything . They start to believe they can do what ever they want to do and not care about what the law say .

K.Gomez 6th

9/14/2018 10:51:32 pm

I agree race and status should not matter when it comes to crimes. If it is clear who the culprit is than they should be punished accordingly.

D.Gadson 6th

9/13/2018 05:13:31 pm

African Americans are the ones who lack the most power in this world. We go through things just because of an stereotype from years ago. Yet, if the cop was African American he or she would have been already locked up with no hesitation. Being that he was just minding his business there is no explanation of why he was shot to death. People with power take things beyond what’s necessary and feel they can do whatever.

T.harris

9/13/2018 09:40:19 pm

Yes African Americans do lack in power because we are born with a strike on our backs because of our skin color. We will never be fully respected because they think less of us. These white cops feel they have the higher power because of their skin. Justice needs to go both ways and show the people that no one can get pass the law.

M. Sanchez 6th pd.

9/14/2018 09:24:30 am

It is true that those with power feel they can do what they want and get away with it. If this cop shot another white person, without question she would have been charged with murder and trespassing. However, because she works with a police department they seem to be covering up the actual story.

Jamaya Chandler 6th

9/14/2018 06:20:07 pm

I agree. I think that when it’s the police under investigation they do everything they can to try to cover things up and make them go away. They shouldn’t be able to interfere with there own investigations, especially when it is dealing with yet another black innocent life that has been taken.

I. Chancellor 7th/8th period

9/14/2018 01:29:39 pm

In agreement, African Americans are the ones, who lack in power, in the world. This is sad, that we have to be judged by preconceptions about us, that are false. This is so true, he or she would have been already locked up, if they would have killed somebody. He was in his own house, when he was killed. In conclusion, people with power should respect other people and the power they have.

D. Tonche 8th pg

9/14/2018 05:28:57 pm

In agreement with your statements, that we are judged by the preconceptions the world as laid before us.

T.falls 6th

9/14/2018 11:30:01 pm

I agree that African Americans do lack power but that’s because we are still trying recovering from the past. This shows that time does nothing but repeat and change hasn’t really came yet. Power stayes in the hands that of the people that abuse it.

Z. James 8th

9/14/2018 04:10:53 pm

The lack of power lies within the Black community. Most Black celebrities have been on top of the world and still are cheated in ways of economics, government positions, and much more. We lack power because we don't support each other. Additionally, we also like to pit each other against each other. If you add these problems along with the racial tensions that we are facing today, then you can see what's holding us back from having power,ourselves.

F. Aleman 1st

9/14/2018 07:04:02 pm

African Americans aren't the only one with the lack of power. But I do agree that african Americans don't support each other. For instance, with black on black crimes

K. Brown 8th hour

9/14/2018 04:59:45 pm

I have to disagree, African Americans are not the race that, "lacks the most power in the world." Though I won't say that blacks have a lot of power, because these days it seems that they don't. Though the lack of power that African Americans hold is something that helps the cycle of violence and injustice continue forth.

M. Hollywood 2nd

9/14/2018 07:38:48 pm

Society groups us with the events that happened in the past such as slavery when we were powerless. Slavery has given white people power. Whites are also given more privileges to do thing blacks or other races wouldn’t be able to do. I agree he was not doing anything but relaxing in his home and his life was took from him.

N.Medina 6th

9/14/2018 09:02:51 pm

I completely agree I feel as though all colored people, and all foreigners are treated with such hate and violence because of our history. White people are privileged and believe they don’t have to pay for there unjustified acts.

D. Tonche 1st pd

9/13/2018 05:20:27 pm

The possession of power or lack of thereof impacts the daily lives of those who have it or are absence of it. A black person worries about their actions they display in public and how they will be interpreted. A white persons heartbeat doesn't escalate when they are stopped by the police, they don't even think twice about it. The difference between these two races is one posses power while the other one suffers the consequences of having none. To conclude this narrative, obtaining power determines the future of the possessor down to the minuscule actions they partake on a daily basis.

M. Sanchez 6th pd.

9/14/2018 09:31:53 am

There are many people that fear for their safety everyday, white people are not a part of that group. When you think of police brutality only minorities come to mind. In only nine month many African Americans have been fatally killed by white police who face no charges. Parents are constantly asking themselves if there kids will be safe when they go to school or, the mall or anywhere.

J. Griffith 2nd period

9/14/2018 01:46:08 pm

I could agree that the lack of power can impact our daily lives due to an absence of power. It could also be too much power that can also impact our daily lives. if one were to think about it, if one has too much power, they believe they can do just about anything they want. this is the reason why we have three branches in government, so they can split power evenly.

N.Medina 6th

9/14/2018 09:14:48 pm

Agreed, colored people go everyday fearing for their lives and watching over their shoulder. As for white citizens they have the privilege of doing as they please without facing any consequences. That is what’s wrong in today’s society. They say we have come so far for our freedom when in reality we are not freed from the violence, the hate, and the crime.

M. Sanchez 6th.pd

9/13/2018 06:31:52 pm

This country was built by white men or so they say, those same men are the ones that decided they wanted all the power. They all had slaves that had no power and no say, they were treated like animals. Hundreds of years later the system still works the same everyday African Americans are still treated as if they are not human. White people feel entitled they have always feel as though they are superior to everyone else. Having power makes people crazy and maybe untrustworthy but having none can make you feel worthless.

K.Brown 2nd

9/14/2018 02:25:38 pm

I can relate to your statement about “people that have power are untrustworthy” because , if the wrong person with the wrong mindset was given power all their outcomes would be negative .To be untrustworthy as a leader or protector will have the people your helping avoid you at all cost ,making the duty harder .

Jniquea jackson

9/14/2018 06:21:54 pm

I agree with you Keirra. I do believe anyone who is giving power you shouldn’t be given power will miss use the power. Even tho we see now only whites are killing blacks those are the ones in authority. But I also feel that we also have black on black crime. Some blacks feel “oh I got this and that” that they are above and is higher in authority and go and killed there own brother. So I do believe power need to be given to ones who are aware and knowledge to have the power . But how can someone tell who need the power and who don’t.

S. Pirzada

9/14/2018 07:10:54 pm

It's amazing how one person have that charm to win over many people to gain a position. Whatever that person intentions are for an alliance to benefit themselves.

S. Pirzada 6th

9/14/2018 07:22:05 pm

The country "built by white men" also created genocides and threw down other ethnictities. Such as the Chinese, French, Irish, Japanese, Native American, Black Americans, Mexicans, ect. Whites somehow manage to manipulated those people for their dirty work and money. If they were no longer needed, whites will do anything to humiliate them.

T.harris 6th period

9/13/2018 09:25:09 pm

This topic here is crazy many black man are dying because white cops are shooting for no reason. This lady couldn't have thought that was her house she knew what she had done was wrong so that was a quick cover up story. They have let to may cops go for killings that were unnecessary because of what they thought somebody had or what they thought they were going to do. No one deserves to be killed for being in their own safe place if she need to be put behind bars the system needs to make her an example. If it was a black cop this story would of been put out differently she should get the same treatment as anybody else that murders people for no reason. Then they wonder why black people protest they are tired of the senseless killings. Now a mother has to burry a son because a cop THOUGHT he broke into her home.

D.Gadson

9/13/2018 09:42:54 pm

That’s very true blacks or getting different treatment from others. More situations are coming daily that proves that African Americans are getting treated unfair. This world should not be dropping bodies left and right. Killings are happening based upon dumb decisions.

J. Maple 8th

9/13/2018 10:30:02 pm

Power or the lack thereof has a huge impact not only on individuals, but on whole communities of people. Whites hold the most important power, and one that affects the lives of every other group in the country. They control the flow of everyday movement, because of their positions in the government, federal and state, as well as companies that create what we need to survive and any other luxuries. Minority communities are subjected to systemic racism and discrimination because the people in power made it that way. The powerless are forced to obey and conform, and the discriminations placed in the white owned institutions make it harder for minorities to have a chance at becoming better.

D. Tonche 8th pd

9/14/2018 05:37:02 pm

I concur with statement about how the powerful affect the lives of the powerless through their positions in the government.

I. Florence 8th

9/14/2018 09:16:03 pm

I agree with your statement. White Americans set the tone for how minorities are treated in this country. This is a form of power.

Maiya Hollywood 2nd

9/14/2018 09:43:55 am

When people are given power they believe they are superior to those who don’t have power. In society today most white people have power. The power they receive makes them feel entitled to be able to do whatever they want whenever they want with no regards for others. The groups without power are the minorities and they have to suffer everyday from the lack of power. For example, the white police shootings of unarmed black men shows how people with power take control without regards for others. Also, how Hispanics are being separated at the border by the white people patroling the border shows have they believe they are superior and have not regards for the families this impacts. Power impacts people by making them feel entitled and superior and people without power feel like they are inferior and have to bow down to those with power

J. James 6th Period

9/14/2018 04:20:43 pm

I agree with you when you said that people believe they are superior. Everyone who does posses power do not use their power for good. Most people abuse it.

Marissa Chavez 2nd pd

9/14/2018 09:51:45 pm

I completely agree with you when you say that those who have power abuse it, and nearly everytime it is for their own benefit. Even if they committed a malignant act, they do not get punished, which is not fair.

T. Jones 2nd

9/14/2018 09:58:57 am

Certain groups of people that possess more power feel that they can do whatever they want.
Power brings a sense of arrogance. For example, Caucasians feel they are above the la and any crime they commit is unpublishable on the other hand, groups that lack power feel inadequate. For example, the African American community are petrified in the presence of officers regardless of whether or not actions are lawful.

M. Hollywood 2nd

9/14/2018 07:41:37 pm

Yes people with power feel entitled to be able to do whatever they want whenever they want. They believe they can’t be punish because society does punish them when they do wrong. However African Americans and other minorities are punish even if they are being lawful and sometimes when they are relaxing in their own home.

C. Swann 2nd period

9/14/2018 10:29:40 am

Power is passed down in my opinion, so I feel as though people with power feel entitled and with entitlement comes the abuse of that power. The powerful group in our country would be the White group, being that they are considered the founders, the law makers and the enforcers as well. With powerless groups, like Black people Hispanics or Indigenous people, their rights don’t always seem existent. Often times they feel inferior because of the way people with power treat them. The impact that they may have isn’t grand because they come off as whiners.

C.Capel

9/14/2018 04:42:08 pm

I totally agree,with your argument. For example , with the Serena Williams situation they tried to portray her as a whiner. Which wasn’t the case at all .

K. Brown 2nd

9/14/2018 11:55:34 am

To have or to not have power influences a persons mentality. When holding power people have the choice to allow this advantage to get swollen in their head or uphold a purpose .Certain groups of people ,like white supremacist ,feel as though they are the utmost race and abuse that power they gave themselves by antagonizing other races .While those who do not procure power build a mindset that pushes them to work hard .For example , African Americans are constantly being targeted but, use these targets to prove everyone wrong at the end by creating businesses , becoming Miss America , and starting movements .

J. James 6th Period

9/14/2018 04:15:22 pm

I agree with you when say that to have power influences mentality. When a person receives they usually change their personality. Also
if someone has power over you they change everything to accommodate that person.

C. Capel

9/14/2018 04:39:52 pm

I agree with you , African Americans are always seen as lesser than. It’s like we have to constantly prove ourself on why we are worth for things .

J.Perez 6th

9/14/2018 08:23:46 pm

It's true white supremacist antagonize other races and use their power to make the others feel inferior. Yet every day we are proving them wrong. We are showing them that just because they have the power to do what they do that doesn't mean that they can control us.

I. Chancellor 7th/8th period

9/14/2018 01:07:08 pm

Power or the lack power, has a lot impact on certain groups. Power can make certain groups, feel superior than others. For example, in the late 1950s, white America felt that school desegregation was inconceivable, due to them thinking that they were better, than blacks. People with lack of power, were treated wrong. For example, Native Americans in the Trail of Tears and black people in the Middle Passage.

K. Brown 2nd

9/14/2018 02:14:01 pm

The two examples you used to support your arugument were very irrelevant ,due to the fact that those two races are still getting treated poorly to this day . Despite all the laws and rights that were given to create equality ,white supremacist still feel the need to push other races below them .

hope aleman 1st period

9/14/2018 09:21:30 pm

What do you mean the two examples are irrelevant? They are a perfect example of how the imbalance of power in out society makes living hard for certain groups of people.

Z. James 8th

9/14/2018 04:24:20 pm

People with a lack of power will get pushed around and directed. For instance the Jews during the Holocaust. Even though their may have been more Jews, the Nazis had the power to instill fear and death into them.Having power in this case would just mean you have the ability to stand for yourself.You won't let anyone direct you or tell you what to do.

M.Taylor 1st period

9/14/2018 08:05:22 pm

Yes people with the lack of power would be limited to how they live i guess I could say but most power today.. is put into the hands of paranoid and unstable people and is used to go against each other but everyone can’t control how they think because of fear.. everyone can’t control how they think because of power..

J. Griffith 2nd period

9/14/2018 01:42:10 pm

The impact that power can have on certain groups is that it could go to their head and might end up doing something they're going to regret for the rest of their life. Point being why we have three branches of government. The three branches share power equally than just one branch watching over the U.S. The government ties into power because if the president had full control of the U.S who knows what could happen. that's why its important for certain groups to divide power among themselves evenly.

T. Falls 6th

9/14/2018 03:56:09 pm

Having power is the difference between going to jail, and living the free life when you make a bad decision . When you are born white you are born with a sense of empowerment leaving them to act in a careless way because they know their consequences are not severe. In the scenario above a “white” cop walked into the wrong appointment and shot and killed a black man there is so many unanswered question regarding the situation.The main question is how do you walk into the wrong appointment in the middle of the day when Iight was present and kill somebody who is not a threat to you . This means that the lady cop knew what she was doing to began with but didn’t think much about it because the power will fall in her favor and she will not be punished for her acts.

T. Jones 2nd

9/14/2018 09:54:38 pm

I agree with you. I feel that being white already adds a sense of entitlement to people and once they get that extra power of becoming an officer they feel that nothing they do is wrong and that it can always be justified.

J. James 6th Period

9/14/2018 04:02:46 pm

When people are given a certain amount of power, they can either use it for change or they can abuse the power they are given. Others who are not that fortunate to posses that power are often taken advantage of. For Instance, those police officers who are racist, they use the weapons given to them that are used to stop criminals on innocent minorities. Minorities all over the country, especially Africans Americans, fear for their lives everyday because of the me and women that are suppose to protect us, our killing us off one by one. Those who have the power and are trying to spread change are putting in effort by why has no change happened yet? Those few people who want to spread peace have as much power then those who are prejudice.

M. Cain 2nd

9/14/2018 04:17:20 pm

Power gives people a fake sense of entitlement and unneeded arrogance. It can be a very dangerous and detrimental thing. White people have had complete power over minorities for centuries. The lack of power that minority’s hold affect their daily lives whether it from something major like job discrimination or simply being followed around shopping centers. The negative impacts from the lack of power doesn’t stop at racial differences, it also happens within the different gender roles in society. A woman that is more than qualified for the job will almost always lose the job to a man that is half as qualified as she is.

C.Capel

9/14/2018 04:33:06 pm

When people have/get a certain position of power you would think that change would be the first thing on their agenda, but in most cases it could be to abuse what was set up to help the most.The people with the most power are the ones killing and hurting us the most.When white people are born into America it’s almost like a one up to all the rest of the minorities. For a white women to just walk into an apartment and let out fire on a black man just goes to show how much the people of authority think of black people. For someone to be in the comfort of their own home and be seen as a criminal is totally unacceptable. It goes back to the point of what people do when they have power, they could change or abuse it . For example, black people are constantly being targeted as criminals and it always happens to be a white counterpart behind the killing- Emmett Till,Trayvon Martin,Michael Garner, etc.I sincerely don’t understand why it has to be this way. It’s by the ones who are supposed to protect us .

D. Hearne 8th

9/14/2018 08:10:28 pm

I agree completely. She could use the fact that she is a white woman to turn it into a "he was trying to sexually assault me" story and people would buy it.

J. Maple 8th

9/14/2018 10:49:23 pm

I agree with your response. People are naturally corrupt and greedy, and most can’t handle power should it be bestowed upon them. Abuse of pwer can lead to drastic and dangerous changes in everyday life.

K. Brown 8th

9/14/2018 05:05:21 pm

When one group is put on a higher pedestal than others they will act it, this extends further than just blacks and whites and even America. Humans have a dominating nature, and when it is 'Justified' they did to act on it over and over again. It is senseless but people are changed by power, whether it be in a good or bad light varies at times. In America right now I am ashamed that this is even still an issue, racism on it's many spectrums seems like some foolish and time wasting thought. Not only this but it is baffling that someone could be so driven by some weird deep form of hatred that they could take an innocents life. It seems at the rate we are going we won't be moving forward any time soon, and it's say to know that the only unification that is being had at this moment is spawned from hatred and bad tradition.

P. Augustine 2nd

9/14/2018 05:25:50 pm

This whole article is crazy to me. How do you not know that younare walking into the wrong apartment? Its funny that you walk into the wrong apartmet and then shoot. Did she really have a reason to shoot; was she completely sober?

Jamaya Chandler 6th

9/14/2018 06:14:14 pm

I don’t think that it was depending on if she was sober. I think it was a racist act. Even if it was possible that it was an accident, why not try to preform CPR on the black man you jus “accidentally shot” to try to keep him alive? Why did you choose to do nothing?

J.Perez 6th

9/14/2018 08:16:18 pm

You have a point there. She could have done something to correct her wrong doings. Yet chose to do nothing. It could have been a racist act but there isn't much information to go on.

G Musa 6th

9/14/2018 06:28:43 pm

It brings confusion to everyone who stumbles upon this story because no one knows where her mind was at that point. She will use every excuse in the book to avoid jail time instead of owning up to her mistakes.

D. Hearne 8th

9/14/2018 08:06:58 pm

If she did think that it was her apartment and she saw the random man in "her" apartment, then she had the right to protect herself. Shooting wansn't the best option but it was the first one to come to her mind apparently.

Jniquea Jackson 2pd

9/14/2018 06:04:46 pm

Some of those feel as if there position is higher they are able to do unlawful things. As in today society higher authority feel as if they are able to work the way they want to . Everyone else that do not have high power Or is in lack of power we are classified as a threat. When really the authority are the threat. Especially African American ,the police or other higher authority feel we are targets . When we the ones who don’t have guns or any form of weapons.Lack of power in a black community is very dangerous because we get treated poorly. But I also feel that having a little power in a black community can get out of hand .Which will cause harm to one another in the community.

T. Jones 2nd

9/14/2018 10:00:01 pm

I agree that a person who has a higher position than someone else feels that they can demand them. In some cases that is true. The difference is when they abuse their higher power! Which is what we have being seeing a lot of lately. Not everyone can have the same power but we can all deserve a fair chance at life.

Jamaya Chandler 6th

9/14/2018 06:09:11 pm

The impact of having too much power is that the person or people possessing that power may feel excluded from the consequences of a crime being committed. Having power gives an open door to commit crimes based on race, gender, etc. and having little to no consequences.

D. Hearne 8th

9/14/2018 06:10:56 pm

Power often has negative effects. It goes to a person's head and they begin to believe that there is no one that can stop them and it's true sometimes. Take the KKK for example. Thanks reign of terror lasted a long time because they had power. Political figures and police officers were apart of or supported the KKK. This made it easy for them to do literally whatever they wanted from burning crosses to hanging Black people, with little to no repercussion. Black people, who have less power, live their lives in fear, worrying about if they are going to make it to the next day. The lack of power takes a toll on is mentally as well because we feel that we aren't capable of doing great things.

I. Florence 8th

9/14/2018 09:04:14 pm

You were right when you stated "Power often has negative effects." Often times, the negative effects impacts the people who have less power.and not the ones with the power. I.e: White supremacist conducting horrible crimes against black Americans. Black Americans suffered because they were the ones who had to deal with the effects of the horrid crimes, not the KKK. Because black Americans do not have a lot of power, they also reap the effects of it. Till this day, we are mistreated because we do not have enough power to overthrow the racism that can oppress us.

L.Allen 2nd period

9/14/2018 10:22:20 pm

Why you believe that we as black don't have any type of power where in modern day we are protesting and fighting for equality because of African Americans dying or being abuse of police brutality. For example, there are people of our color who have bigger platforms and voices than we do such as T.I and Meek Mill who constantly speak opinions and express their actions on social media to reveal that they are trying to put a stop to these issues that is tearing and dividing America apart.

K.Gomez 6th

9/14/2018 10:59:45 pm

I agree that power goes to a person's head and has negative effects.

G Musa 6th

9/14/2018 06:24:47 pm

Power is the ability to do something or act a certain way, especially as a faculty or quality. Lack of power is being powerless. In the system the Caucasian's are dimmed as evil powerful people while the blacks are powerless but if you expand your thinking and view it in others perspective you will see we all have advantages to become powerful, we just have to work twice as hard as the white people to achieve goals. Lack of power in the black community disables our opportunity to reach higher standards due to lower connections. Power involves brainwashed activities like Donald trump for example he influences people to side with him by insulting lesser powers and groups.

T. Young 2nd period

9/14/2018 09:43:12 pm

I disagree I don’t believe that all white people are evil just those who want to use their powers were negative activity. You also do have some Caucasian people they give back to poor minority communities so that’s doing good not all of them are evil.

Estevan Salas

9/14/2018 06:25:36 pm

Having power in the world is equal to being privledged in a way. Having power means you get away with more when compared to others. The white race in the United States have always taken their power and used it for bad in the world. Whether its performing genocide if millions of Native Americans or killing one Black person at a time... its all the same. The “this is my land” mentality will always be the mentality of the white race because thats what they were born into. Born privledged. Born with power.

F. Aleman 8th

9/14/2018 06:55:35 pm

I disagree that the mentality of the white race is “this is my land”. Not all white people are bad. If I said that all black people are involved with crime, I'm wrong but it's okay to bash white people.

D Parker 1st

9/14/2018 08:06:38 pm

You seem to have not really read the post because no where did it say that all white people are evil. This isn’t about being malevolent or cruel; this is about how Western society caters to white people and convinced them that the world belongs to them. Even liberal white people have this issue of entitlement and have to work past it. This isn’t claiming that white people are racist - acknowledging privilege is not “reverse racist” or “bigotry” or whatever else you interpreted it as. It is a fact that when people are given power from the day they are born, they assume that that’s how it should be and change scares people.

D .Hearne 8th

9/14/2018 08:13:41 pm

He not saying all white people are bad. The point he is trying to make is that if a white person does choose to do something crule, they will 80-20 get off with a slap on the wrist.

C. Williams 6th

9/14/2018 08:15:58 pm

I totally agree with how white people have used their power in a negative way, the killings of black people have been non stop.

hope aleman 1st period

9/14/2018 09:13:12 pm

Although I understand the point you were trying to make, it would be best to work on your choice of wording. It appears that you think saying "The 'This is my land' mentality will always be the mentality of the white race" isn't the same as saying "All white people have a 'This is My land' mentality." It is. You have addressed the entire white race, so maybe you should fix that.

Marissa Chavez 2nd pd.

9/14/2018 09:39:10 pm

I don’t agree with you completely, because the way you worded it makes it seem like you’re saying that every white person has the mentality of abusing everyone and anyone who is not white. I know that it runs much deeper than that, but saying that “it’s the mentality of the white race...” is not completely accurate.

J. Maple 8th

9/14/2018 10:54:38 pm

White people are not the source of all bad things. Their community is responsible for a lot of important innovations that contribute to our lives. Every race and group has something to offer to the world, in some form or fashion.

F. Aleman 8th

9/14/2018 06:30:59 pm

Power can cause people to think that they are invincible . When a group of people believe they are "powerful" They believe that they can use violence to put their influence over others in order to get their desires. With the justice system not being fair to all, some white people believe they can keep being violent. People with the lack of power do not get justice. In this case it's usually minority groups.

D. Parker 1st

9/14/2018 08:04:13 pm

That is a good observation, as many white people (in regards to the situation at hand) believe they should have special rights over others even if they aren’t outrightly racist. They think the world should fall at their feet and are surprised and upset when it doesn’t. This is something that is instilled in them and encouraged by society.

C. Williams 6th

9/14/2018 08:13:41 pm

Power does allow people to do bad things because they feel like they have the right to.

T. Young 2nd period

9/14/2018 08:40:02 pm

I agree with you because I believe that people power feel like they have to force fear into other races or ethnicities because they don’t want them to overpower them. They feel like they minorities are dirt and don’t deserve the same justice or the same power because once they are on the same level in anyway just says it’s being equal to another minority is not right in their book and should never happen no one should be equal to them. Today’s society has forced white supremacist to think that they are inferior to other races or Ethnic groups or anything.

L.Allen

9/14/2018 10:13:54 pm

Even if so called "powerless people" don't have any advantages can knowledge and actions represent their symbol of power because of the rights of liberty and freedom or the right to live your life free of discrimination?

M. Cain 2nd

9/14/2018 11:28:34 pm

I agree with you on the fact that power makes people feel that they are invincible. Many use their power like you said to justify violence which isn’t and shouldn’t be okay but in today’s society it tends to be over looked.

K. Banks 6th

9/14/2018 11:30:44 pm

The justice system being unfair does have a greater influence on these situations whether they realize it or choose not to.

S. Pirzada 6th

9/14/2018 06:50:56 pm

I can't take this officer's statement seriously. She commited manslaughter under someone else's accomadation. Law authorities aren't your average citizens, so even if they're "doing their job" and take advantage of being an officer, their consequences are obviously lighter. Also white people are the mass dominant makeup of the United States. It's like your typical high school movie. People divide themselves in conventional groups; people who either look like you, have the same desires, sit in the same place, or have the same traditions. If you don't take the to recognize those people who have these similarties as you might as well come off the wrong foot and sneer at each other.

M.Taylor 1st period

9/14/2018 07:35:56 pm

being colored shouldn’t have us adjusting to the crazed people with “power”.... most and many people just live the simplest life but due to race.. or beliefs.. or simply just being a female or male but the more power the more the ignorant would try its best to take it but without will just be hell at its finest.. everyone is targeted except for the people who should be to stop the madness and sickening people in society

D Parker 1st

9/14/2018 08:02:37 pm

Power means everything in society and determines wealth, status and privilege. Those with power are able to get away with more than the disadvantaged, especially when their wrongdoings are aimed at disprivileged groups. Racism is a made up structure that focuses on hierarchy by giving white people the most power. This negatively affects people of color because they don’t have the means to fight back even if they wanted to and if they did, they would be painted as the one in the wrong each time. Power for the sake of power is a cruel thing that should not exist. Nobody can be equal if one group is given the majority of privilege and rights.

M. Cain 2nd

9/14/2018 11:33:01 pm

I completely agree with your statement about people with power being able to get away with more wrong doings than those with less power. Like you said people of color will continue to not be able to stand up for themselves and the injustice that they face as long as white people are in control.

K. Banks 6th

9/14/2018 11:37:34 pm

The social hierarchy was created to only benefit the ones at the top and still does.

T. Young 2nd period

9/14/2018 08:07:59 pm

People who have an abundance of power tend to abuse it. Those people feel,like they cannot be touched or penalize for the actions that they do. White people have been trained to think that they are superior to other races and that they can get away with anything under the sun. However minorities have the lack of power in any shape or fashion you’re not entitled to the same rights and the same equal powers as the white supremacist. For example, an armed white man who has just killed nine black people in a church can be taken to Burger King an treated as a civilized person,but an African-American who is doing what was instructed him by an officer gets shot to death in front of the mother of his child and his child and they cover it up like nothing even happened because they have that type of I’m just a non-justifiable power.

J.Perez 6th period

9/14/2018 08:12:31 pm

Having power brings a sense of superiority while lacking it makes one feel inferior. Since the group with more power feel superior they also feel entitled or privileged to do anything they please and suffer no consequences. A clear example of this would be what's happening in America. Murderers are getting away with their acts because the system is rigged against the inferior group. So the murderer gets freedom and the victim gets injustice.

R.Hannon 6th

9/14/2018 11:33:21 pm

Definitely, feel your point of the victim getting injustice and the actually people killing are getting away with a cruel crime.

C. Williams 6th

9/14/2018 08:12:32 pm

The impact of being powerful leads people to think they can do and treat people any kind of way. People feel as though since they’re in a higher position that consequences are not supposed to be given to them. Many white people in power, such as our white police officers have been abusing their power for years now. They are killing innocent black people because they know that they will get away with it because whites are favored in America. Not having power leaves you in a less advantage because people are less likely to be on your side. For example, our black community has been abused emotionally due to all of the innocent killings due to white police officers.

R.Hannon 6th

9/14/2018 11:29:14 pm

Us Black People are being emotionally abused tremoundsly. Officers think they can't face no consequences at all but it will be a different story if the tables were turned and it was the officers own family in our shoes.

I. Florence 8th

9/14/2018 08:16:06 pm

The impact of having power is dangerous to the people who are victims of its negligent use. When a person possess's power, they can become violent, impulsive, and develop biased judgments. As a result, the people who are seen as inferior, have to face the consequences of this. A prime example of this is the recent murder of an unarmed black man, Botham Jean. Botham jean was murdered by a white female cop in his own home. The cop was violent and impulsive towards Botham, the reason being is that she had power that aided her to develop these traits.

Zamesha Crawford 6th pd

9/14/2018 08:33:00 pm

Too much power is not always good for certain people. The power of carcasion people has brung a negative impact to the world and a huge tole on blacks. We suffer everyday from the loses of our young black men due to the brutality of police officers, specifically white. They feel as if they are entitled to treat us anyway they please. They do this because they know they will get away with it and hardly suffer any consequences. This has been going on for centuries, having us blacks as their slaves for multiple years, and yet years later they still treat us with much disrespect.

K. Phillips 6th

9/14/2018 10:08:03 pm

Yes I agree on how we keep losing black men just because these white officers believe they have all this poster which isn’t going because there not using there power in a good way .

N.Medina 6th

9/14/2018 08:51:01 pm

The impact of people having to much power is that it sometimes can get to their head and believe they can or will get anyway with anything they do. The difference when you don’t have as much power is that some many not take the situation seriously and most of the time they do not get away with things. Those who are higher in position like most white people are , they tend to do things unjustified and don’t suffer consequences because the system is rigged. They are murders who have no reasoning behind killing innocent black lives. In this situation things don’t make sense as to how this happened, how do you go into the wrong house and not know it wasn’t yours? I believe this was a hate crime. He was vulnerable in his own home just minding his own business and a white police officer killed him because she had power and the weapon to do so.

Hope Aleman 8th period

9/14/2018 09:05:58 pm

Power gives people authority; a new sense of superiority that can only reside within the greedy and the cruel. With that being said, an imbalance in power impacts the lives and safety of those who lack power. In today's society, there is a lack of power within a certain group of people, and there is an abundance of power in another group of people- I know, you know, we all know exactly what I'm talking about. This isn't just a black and white issue- this is an issue between men and women, the rich and the poor, the government and the people. The balance and imbalance of power in a society plays a significant role in shaping the values, morals and people of that society and right now, we are on the verge of destruction. Something needs to change because people can only take so much.

J.Hurd 2nd

9/14/2018 09:08:16 pm

This is because racial prejudice is the refusal to change one's attitude even after evidence to the contrary, so that one will continue to post-judge people the same way one pre-judged them. This is the due to the fear of losing the power of privilege. In prejudice people are basically defending privilege of position and thus stand to gain emotionally, culturally, socially and economically from an attitude of prejudice towards others. Whenever people sense that these privileges are threatened they become fearful of the other and react.

T Cherry

9/14/2018 10:45:25 pm

The last part of your paragraph sums up the entire situation. No one wants to feel like there going to be over thrown and that's why they react the way they do.

Victoria Zavala 1st

9/14/2018 09:12:25 pm

When people are giving too much power they believe they can do whatever they want and won't get in trouble. But I believe, they should start doing something about that. In the article, it talks about a white female officer, going into a apartment and killing a innocent black young male. Did she go into the wrong apartment? Maybe. Did she do it out of rasicsm ? Maybe. What we don't know is the full story on why she did it. In my own opinion, I believe she did it out of rasicsm. I mean why else would she do it? If you look back to other cases, there were white officers killing innocent black people. In the end, I believe she did it out of race, and she believe she had the power to do and because she had a weapon.

K. Phillips 6th

9/14/2018 10:06:28 pm

I 100 percent agree with you if they keep allowing them to get away with it and don’t apply any consequences then more and more white police officers are going to keep doing what there doing . They feel as if they not going to have to suffer for it then they can just keep doing it .

Marissa Chavez 2nd pd.

9/14/2018 09:17:46 pm

"What impact does power or the lack of power have on certain groups?"
Those who have power, feel as though they are entitled to use it whenever and however they want. That should not be the case in today’s society, but sadly it is. Many instances where this has happened have involved white police officers taking the lives of young, black men and women. In most cases, the white officer’s actions are unjustified, but still go unpunished, while the victim’s future is ripped from their hands for no apparent reason at all. If someone has any position of power, they feel superior and use that as justification of their despicable actions while those who have no sense of strength or power at all have to suffer or take the abuse. Police are supposed to “protect and serve,” their communities, but instead they are making many feel unsafe and scared for their lives.

K.Phillips 6th

9/14/2018 10:04:10 pm

When you allow someone to have a lot of power for so long they start to believe they can get away with anything. Just like this situation with white police officers and black men. A lot of these officers aren’t getting the consequences they deserve for there actions. That’s allowing more and more believe they can take advantage of that power . Courts needs to open there eyes and realize that there taking this as a joke and feel as if they can get away with anything with a simple lie as “ I didnt know that wasn’t my apartment “ or “ he had on a black hoodie “ . This is ridiculous on how many black males we are loosing to these entitled people .

L.Allen 2nd period

9/14/2018 10:09:54 pm

I believe that too much power within a group or individual can be use to apply their influence over others in order to complete the pleasure of their desires. The lack of power can leave people defenseless without any control of their own decisions and actions. The only way power can be positive in many ways is depending on how you use it and what are you willing to use it for. Having a enormous amount of power that can lead to breakage because of pressure, attention, and opinions. However, power doesn't dishonor people, but people dishonor power.

T. Cherry

9/14/2018 10:43:09 pm

I agree in a way... Because even with having so much power you can still be over thrown. It doesn't automatically strip everything away from the people who seen to have less power.

N.Brown8th

9/14/2018 10:26:54 pm

Certain people don’t deserve a position with power . People with power get power hungry and want any and everything. When they let the power go to their heads they can and will put others in danger. People are so caught up in wanting the power that when they get it they abuse it . They tend to abuse the power which was given to them to create “ Safer Streets” . Giving the wrong person power can lead to the death of a nation as a whole . Either it’s their way or it’s no way for people with power .

J. Mills 2nd

9/14/2018 10:39:37 pm

I agree with Z. James I also think people will get pushed around if there is a significant lack of power. I also feel like people with a lack of power in the U.S. have a huge advantage because we have the freedom of speech and we also have free enterprise. People can protest and people can promote a cause or their brand freely and influence more people. Even though people or groups with a lack of power could possibly get pushed around, they can still fight for their rights and power.
In conclusion, people with a lack of power should fight so they will not be looked at as weak and cant be overlooked or pushed over.

T cherry

9/14/2018 10:39:56 pm

America is systematically built upon a stature that the government dissent understand and the armed force abuses. This power is distributed so uneven and it's noticable like night and day. The contrast comes with race.. Either you're a treated wrong because you're a minority being treated with no power wich leads to violence. Or you are "the majority" and have "power" and like to abuse it. This is why we have so many white cops getting away with murder of African Americans with little consequence what so ever.

T.Tate 8th

9/14/2018 10:40:38 pm

Power can cause people to think that they are invincible.Too much power within a group or individual can be used to exert their influence over others. It can lead to too much control and can corrupt a person when given the amount of power.The lack of power can leave people defenseless without any control of their own decisions and actions.

K. Gomez 6th

9/14/2018 10:41:19 pm

Having power can make even the nicest of people spiral out of control. Giving a group of people higher power than others can cause conflict if the power is not used properly. As it was quoted in Spiderman "with great power comes great responsibility." However with the lack of power it can leave people defenseless. They would live a life of constant fear and have no control over their own actions and decisions.

K. Banks 6th

9/14/2018 11:09:44 pm

Power gives people the sense of superiority. People in power often abuse it, given a circumstance at the right moment it can go unnoticed. The lack of power held within minorities causes them to feel as if they’re inferior resulting in a division or racial tension. The black lives matter protest has been on going for years, but they have nothing to show for it. This just goes to show that power has a greater effect if you’re the one holding it.

R.Hannon 6th period

9/14/2018 11:24:22 pm

The word power is even a powerful word. Many of our so called protectors seems to turn into war between the highly targeted race today which is African Americans. It is sad that we stand and recite the pledge and say "Justice For All" but can't not find nobody guilty when young black men are dying and getting shot left to right everyday for innocent , non-violent acts that nobody can justify. And of course some police officers are just covering up their own mess. But, even when found guilty they are suspended or just penalized for a minor consequence.Many people hold a big position and stick their ground with too much control and it goes over there head.

M. Mason 1st

9/14/2018 11:32:37 pm

The police will not arrest the woman because of her race, and it is the truth. There have been many cases similar to Mr. Bothams case where an innocent unarmed black man is killed. I feel like the female officer intentionality killed him. My question is why did she shoot? The officer is on administrative leave. Her statement was not right, and there were two witnesses to prove it. She was also not convicted for his murder.

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