"Flash Mobs" _ Race Riots, Terrorist Attacks, or Something Else? - Updated

I was provoked to write on Flash Mobs after reading an article by Dr. Thomas Sowell. I will get to the good Doctor’s point of view in a moment. For now, let me just say that he sees Flash Mobs as race riots that are not being reported as such.

Upon entering the words “Flash Mob Attacks” 1.2 million hits were found. I was surprised to learn, at least according to Wikipedia,  the term “Flash Mob” was originally coined to describe an innocent form of entertainment and were decidedly non-violent. That is not what we think of today when we hear or read those words. Today those words immediately bring to mind black youths converging on a store to rob it and yes to terrorize the customers and employees. And, far too often, it also describes black.-on-white violence. Hence, Dr. Sowell’s assertion that these actions are in fact race riots. But, could they be classified as terrorist attacks? The following quote comes from Right Side News:

Currently, these attacks are from predominantly black inner-city youths using social networks to coordinate the location, time and who does what. Same tactics terrorists use. This model can move to other “gang groups”, ethnic clans, and evolve into an extremely deadly end. (bold added)

“The same tactics as terrorist.” I rather doubt that these groups of  black thugs see themselves as terrorist. However, I have no problem imaging Janet Napolitano deciding some day to designate them as terrorist. Not because she and the Obama administration would necessarily be interested in cracking down on black-on-white crime; but to advance even more the police-state policies initiated under George W. Bush with the Patriot Act.

The store robbing is probably as much thrill seeking as anything else. But one can not deny the that the violent acts are racial in nature. This is worrisome on many levels not the least of which is the potential for white backlash. Some unsavory blogs are stirring the pot. This is a quote from one of them:

Here’s my plan.  If it’s the knife I attack.  I don’t waive it and try to intimidate a path open.  The scumbags all have knives I’d bet…and handguns.  Go for whoever is closest and stab them in the face.  Go right down the line stabbing any face you see as you clear a path.  If they are not running away they are a threat to your life.  They may eventually take me down but I guarantee I won’t be the only one bleeding at the end.  If it’s the handgun with me that day…same plan.  I shoot the closest person in the face and I get out alive. (Source)  [Please see update at the end of this post.]

Also, here is something else that worries me about this phenomena. Although in my limited search, I did not find anything to support my concern, I wonder how long it will be before white gangs and Latino gangs and Asian gangs decide to get in on the act. All we need is for the different gangs to try to out do each other to see who can make the biggest news splash.

Okay. Let’s focus on the inescapable racial aspects of Flash Mobs and Dr. Sowell’s take on the subject. After a series pf Flash Mob attacks during the Fourth of July celebrations in Milwaukee last year, he decided to do some research:

What I was appalled to learn, in the course of my research, was that such race riots have occurred in other cities across the United States in recent years — and that the national mainstream media usually ignore these riots.

Referring to Chicago, which has been plagued by Flash Mob attacks, Dr. Sowell says:

But neither these officials nor the mayor nor most of the media use that four-letter word, “race.” It would not be politically correct or politically convenient in an election year.

[...]

Where the violence is too widespread and too widely known locally to be ignored, both the local media and public officials often describe what happened as unspecified “young people” attacking unspecified victims for unspecified reasons. But videos of the attacks often reveal both the racial nature of these attacks and the racial hostility expressed by the attackers.

Avoiding the word “race” is not just a Chicago phenomena. If you have a few minutes check out this Video of a white victim of a mob attack and note that not once do the TV reporters mention the race of the attackers.

Sowell, too, is worried about the possibility of white backlash. This serious problem, which has the potential to get much worse, will not be solved by our media and our leaders, especially black leaders, sticking their heads in the sand. It would be beneficial if some of our black Mayors and maybe someone like Rep. Allen West would speak out on this issue. Instead we have idiots like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton fanning the flames. Most importantly, in my opinion, this issue needs to be addressed by those in the cities where the Flash Mobs have acted. Most cities have police who are specialized in working with the inner-city gangs. They along with respected black community leaders need to meet with the gangs and explain how Flash Mobs will come to a bad end. With today’s technology, security cameras can give the police the means to identify mob participants. And, as I mentioned earlier. If our government ever classified them as terrorist, these young fools could disappear into some military internment camp, never to be heard from again.

Well, that’s what I’m thinking. What are your thoughts?

UPDATE:

I have made a grievous error in describing a quote coming from an unsavory source. I am embarrassed and owe my apologies to the author of the article from which i took the quote. I had open what I thought were four white supremist blogs. I clicked on this article at random and looked for a quote to demonstrate my point of unsavoryness and because I got lazy and didn’t thuroughly review the article, I actually was quoting anrticle promoting the Krav Maga system of self defense. My error is unexcusable and I hope I never make such a dumb mistake again.

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Tagged: Dr. Thomas Sowell, Flash Mobs, Race Riots, Terrorists

Posted in: Flash Mobs