Eyeore,
I was clear about the shortcomings of the article in my first posting. I do not ever read the drivel that comes after an article posted in a blog like Reverb.
What do you think about the premise of the article that race matters when one tries to exercise the right to keep and bear arms? This is a topic worthy of meaningful discussion.
Fixed it for you. Yes, this is a timely topic, given the recent attention to police discrimination/over-reaction/militarization.
I think white OCers are more aware of these problems than whites in general. This forum has plenty of examples of white OCers being treated in the way the black OCer was in the "article."
I think black OCers probably experience more hassles than white OCers, blacks in general, and certainly more than white non-OCers. Being a BMWAG is a double-whammy for them. Unfortunate, but true.
I think to some degree it's understandable why the police over-react (crime statistics, ineffective "justice system," siege mentality, poor screening, poor training, bad attitudes, militarization, etc.). It's a job I don't think I could do, certainly not well.
I also think it's wrong. I think society needs to demand a cultural change in the police forces--to stop protecting their "bad apples" no matter what, and transition back to a public safety mindset from the current emphasis on law enforcement.
In many ways, the the blacks vs police issue mirrors our constant debate over how to dress when OCing. How you look and act broadcasts how you see yourself and how you want others to react to you. You can't dress like a gang-banger, Hell's Angel, cowboy, or giant stuffed sports-team mascot and then be surprised or outraged when people treat you as one. It's not fair, but it's reality. I suspect a young black man in khakis and a polo shirt will get treated differently by nearly everybody (including police) than a young black man clomping around in a hoodie and untied hiking boots. Ditto for a young Hispanic or white man, for that matter. Some people see LACs as either troublemakers or--for some police--challenges to their authoritah who must be put in their place, and react accordingly. Dressing in baggy pants (danger! gang member!) or leather and studs (danger! Son of Anarchy! 12 dead in Waco!) or in head-to-toe camo (Danger! Wacko white-supremacist militia gun-nut!) just magnifies the effect for people pre-disposed to that reaction.