Mass shootings
in America and
selective outrage ©2015
Samuel K
theblacksilentmajority (sm)
After the San Bernardino mass shootings, where 14 people were killed, and 22 people were wounded, Republican presidential hopefuls did their best to stoke the nation’s fears and prejudices into hysteria. They’ve done a good job.
They, incredibly, blamed the shootings on President Obama, but the lion’s share of their venom was aimed at Muslims. It was classic demagoguery. Donald Trump even called for banning all Muslims from entering the country. He further suggested putting Muslim mosques under surveillance.
That kind of demagoguery resulted in a mad rush to buy guns by fearful Americans. The rush to buy guns was complemented by anti-Muslim hostilities. Mosques were burned; even Muslim women and children were treated rudely or assaulted.
However, the response to San Bernardino is a classic case of selective outrage. In 2015 alone, before San Bernardino, there were 355 mass shootings in this country. The FBI defines mass shootings as four or more individuals shot or killed where a gun was used.
Most of America’s mass shootings have been done by homegrown Americans. Most of those were males, and most of those males have been white males. Yet, there has never been outrage or animosity directed at white males. They are seen as individuals with problems. But Muslims are lumped together. The majority are blamed for the actions of a few. This standard has been applied to all minority groups. The majority is blamed for the actions of a few.
President Obama has addressed the nation over 15 times after these mass shootings. He has all but pleaded with Americans to put reasonable constraints on gun purchases. He has called for background checks, banning people from buying guns if they’re on a No-Fly List, restrictions on assault weapons. The world and the nation are waiting for Americans to get it together.
Lest we forget, all the weapons used by mass shooters in this country, included those used in the San Bernardino shootings were purchased legally.
in America and
selective outrage ©2015
Samuel K
theblacksilentmajority (sm)
After the San Bernardino mass shootings, where 14 people were killed, and 22 people were wounded, Republican presidential hopefuls did their best to stoke the nation’s fears and prejudices into hysteria. They’ve done a good job.
They, incredibly, blamed the shootings on President Obama, but the lion’s share of their venom was aimed at Muslims. It was classic demagoguery. Donald Trump even called for banning all Muslims from entering the country. He further suggested putting Muslim mosques under surveillance.
That kind of demagoguery resulted in a mad rush to buy guns by fearful Americans. The rush to buy guns was complemented by anti-Muslim hostilities. Mosques were burned; even Muslim women and children were treated rudely or assaulted.
However, the response to San Bernardino is a classic case of selective outrage. In 2015 alone, before San Bernardino, there were 355 mass shootings in this country. The FBI defines mass shootings as four or more individuals shot or killed where a gun was used.
Most of America’s mass shootings have been done by homegrown Americans. Most of those were males, and most of those males have been white males. Yet, there has never been outrage or animosity directed at white males. They are seen as individuals with problems. But Muslims are lumped together. The majority are blamed for the actions of a few. This standard has been applied to all minority groups. The majority is blamed for the actions of a few.
President Obama has addressed the nation over 15 times after these mass shootings. He has all but pleaded with Americans to put reasonable constraints on gun purchases. He has called for background checks, banning people from buying guns if they’re on a No-Fly List, restrictions on assault weapons. The world and the nation are waiting for Americans to get it together.
Lest we forget, all the weapons used by mass shooters in this country, included those used in the San Bernardino shootings were purchased legally.