Racism's roots are long and deep. The history of colonization, the Civil War, Reconstruction, immigration and the ebb and flow of the economy all have a major racist theme. Hiding our eyes from that history is another form of racism. So is the refusal of white people in general to listen to the pain and legitimate anger of non-whites about the damage that is done to them. Hence, our surprise over the Rodney King riots, the O.J. verdict and the St. Petersburg riot reflects our racism, too.
Violence begets violence.
The riot in St. Petersburg is a case in point. It is difficult to imagine any justifying explanation, but police work is a difficult and dangerous profession that requires appropriate support and safeguards. We must understand the response of the community. Images of anger, violence, arson and looting may serve to support white racist stereotypes of African Americans. There is no justification for violence.