22 Comments
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Brenda Martino's avatar

Thank you for posting this. This police brutality was horrific and I refuse to watch the video. Reading these words from Bear Bellinger puts the focus of this incident exactly where it should be, on racism. It's so sad that this is still going on in America. I hope I live long enough to see true equality in the United States.

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Jess Craven's avatar

It's devastating.

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Laurie Higgins's avatar

Thank you, Bear, for expressing what I was thinking: that the Black officers were fired charged, and arrested in lightning speed compared to if they had been white officers. I will share this column, but not the video. I won’t watch the video.

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Gary Boivin's avatar

I.am.disgusted. I. am. traumatized-for my Black friends, yes, and also for those of my White friends who want to share the pain, but don't know how. The best way any of us can help is to LISTEN to people like Bear Bellinger- and every other Black person who has been through this-too. many.damned.times.

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Jess Craven's avatar

I also feel as a white person it's incumbent upon me to be active in SURJ. Really important org. https://surj.org/

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Kate McMullan's avatar

Thank you for sharing this post, Jessica. The murder of Tyre Nichols is so horrific it's hard to know how to frame it. This is clarifying and helpful.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Glad it helped, Kate.

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Victoria Brown's avatar

Thank you, Jess

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Jess Craven's avatar

Of course.

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Joyce Hyne's avatar

Thank you.

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Jan L's avatar

Thank you.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Of course, Jan.

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Alexandra R.'s avatar

I appreciate your post so much, Jessica. Thank you for sharing this very important, helpful and useful message. We need to try so much harder to have something positive come out of these tragedies -- some things that can help our country make difficult and so necessary, fundamental changes. Just having a chance to reflect deeply -- and share with others -- a perspective that is not mine is a great start.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Of course. I find being a member of SURJ--although I'm not as active as I should be--really important, too. https://surj.org/

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Leslie's avatar

Indivisible did well to send out. Thanks for reposting. Important perspective/framing, without doubt.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Of course.

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Colleen McGloughlin's avatar

Brilliant. These are the words and the helpful explanation/s that need to be widely shared. With permission, of course. I, myself, do best when I practice what I believe I need to say. Otherwise, I can get tongue-tied in emotional conversations.

Thank you.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Of course. I'm sure it's fine to share this. Indivisible sent it out to their whole list.

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Beverly Falls's avatar

Watching these videos are traumatizing. Yes, they often are the ONLY proof against what the report claims. YES, THESE SYSTEMS MUST BE DISMANTLED.

Just a reminder - take care of yourself.

Work for Justice.

Black Lives Matter.

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Jess Craven's avatar

Indeed they do. And yes, these systems must be dismantled.

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richard marchetta's avatar

thank you Jessica,,for this post ,,,,,prayers ,,and good thoughts at this difficult time for all,,,,Id also like to send you a PM on FB. be well my friend.

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Jan 29, 2023
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Jess Craven's avatar

No, it can't.

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