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Rodimus Prime wrote:White privilege exists mostly in largely white communities. I live in a town where 75% of the population is black. Here I'm not treated any better or worse than black people I know or am around in any public setting.

BOOM! And there is the point that you are missing. You are NOT treated better OR worse. You are white. How many of your black community members have been stopped by the cops for questionable concerns that you have not, or been overlooked for a job position that you may well have been "lucky" to get, or had someone choose not to sit next to them on the train thanks to a two second judgement of what your skin looks like?

Black Hat wrote:Whilst I agree with the sentiment behind the post, and the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of this situation are awful, I cannot in good conscience support BLM itself. Not with their failure to properly condemn the looting, arson and general violence performed by rioters using the protests as an excuse to act like barbarians, not to mention their close ties with Soviet-founded terrorist group Antifa (recently exposed by Project Veritas). And that's before we start on the higher-up bad actors supporting the riots (see: magically appearing bricks) and bailing out rioters. The original cause is just, but what these protests have devolved into is utterly abominable and I cannot, and will not, support them.

I've always been hugely opposed to overreach of the law- I am wholeheartedly in support of the pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong being oppressed by the CCP for example- but there are a lot of lies and misinformation being peddled at the moment about this mess (from both sides), and it pays to be vigilant to avoid being deceived. There is a difference between the genuine peaceful protestors and the huge amount of violent thugs who just want a reason to cause mayhem.

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. 'Till all are one.

You do realize the protests in hing kong where not peaceful right? They destroyed millions of dollars in public property and many thousands went out with the specific goal of fighting police? Less looting, but all the destruction and violence here? The main differences are that hong kong is far away and it's easy to view the chinese government as the bad guys to pretty much anyone. Unless you really really care about macy's and target. Target, which btw supports the protesters despite the looting. Looting is less of a black thing and just more of an american thing. Happens after football games too.

But i would really love to see the police judged by same standards as the protests. That a few bad cops, and a terrible system, funded by cowardly political choices delegitimizes the entire police. Most protestors are peaceful, and most of the violence has been started by police. A bottle or rock is not the same as a hundred armored thugs with shields, batons, and guns. So if the protest aren't legit because of violence and looting than neither are the protest in hong kong or the police in america. Bot of a double standard being held.

High Command wrote:ShadowKatt, if you keep being called a racist in other communities, is it not a better idea to reflect on why they are doing that? A thread dedicated to racism being a bad thing is not a good place for a debate.

I don't know how much you've been watching, but at this time anything less than total capitulation will earn you that title these days. Has anything I've said come off as even remotely racist? That was the point I was trying to get across. You are not allowed any room in this Us vs Them mentality and it only seems to be a problem with the bigger organizations. You can talk to people, like we're doing now, have a dialogue, and come out better for it. When it's you vs the mob, not so much.

Whenever you throw your lot in with a large organization the methods and practices change. Suddenly tolerance goes right out the window. Empathy completely evaporates. Look at this thread for proof. No one here, at least to my eye, seems to have a problem with the concept. It's the ally chosen. It's not much different than if a bunch of rednecks put together a community watch because a couple houses got broken into. K, great for them. Then they threw their lot in with the KKK, because the Klan loves community building. Obviously a couple people are gonna have words about that choice.

The best of intentions, for better or worse, can be completely destroyed with the wrong associations, and I think that's the problem here. That might not be fair but it's the way things are. I don't know what the solution is but I do know that accusations, insults, and attacks are sure as hell not going to do it. Unfortunately for us now, that's exactly what we have. You and I are sitting here and discussing it, but take a glance at facebook(And yes, I'm aware social media is a cesspit, but the point still stands) and you'll see the exact opposite.

As for this thread not being a good place for debate, is there a good place to debate this? It's an ugly subject dealing with a lot of hard issues, an uncomfortable conversation if you like. Uncomfortable conversations tend not to wait for the best time or place, but when and where they happen to crop up.

Black Hat wrote:

Dorkimus wrote:

Black Hat wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Dorkimus wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:
Antifa IS a terrorist group. If I am ever confronted by them, I will respond accordingly.

So... Using violence is ok, if you use it against folks that you see (not a fact) as a terrorist group? You just kinda chasticed the rioters for using violence, and right after that remarked that you would also use violence against left wing people. Or is your responce like... A nice chat with these people... You know, finding some common ground etc.

There is a difference between attacking and terrorizing people in public and defending myself against those attacks.

Precisely this. Antifa are quite open and upfront about their desire to attack "fascists" (read: anyone they disagree with/think they can get away with attacking). They aren't giving out pamphlets about ending racism or whatever, they're attacking people. They're absolutely terrorists (remember the bikelock incident?) and they deserve no sympathy.

Well, some of you are equally eager to attack other People that you label as terrorist. Don't believe every thing fix news tells you. Besides, blaming Antifa or freaking China or whatnot is just a diversion. It is a refusal of seeing the real problems here and making this just some political "left vs right thing" where the Evil leftists are making trouple over nothing. That way it is a very nifty to demonize the whole BLM movement. And if you think I'm wrong, then read some of those comments above.

Antifa ARE terrorists. They use threats of violence to try and intimidate people into doing what they want. That's terrorism, plain and simple. And any organization willingly siding with them is complicit in terrorism.

Those who are peacefully protesting and condemning the violence of the rioters, they have my full support. Anyone using this as an opportunity to kill, loot and burn? F**k 'em.

The irony of this is just that modern antifa is about as much as an organization as white supremacy is. It's not an organization, not even in an anarchic lateral hierarchy kinda way. Literally the only way to be antifa is to claim to be. It's good to be accurate with the things you are against.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

aronjlove wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Seibertron wrote:Yes, everyone's lives matter. Of course, all lives do indeed matter. No one said they didnt. Disproportionately, black people are killed by police at a much higher percentage than they should be when compared to other races. That is one of the major issues here. That is why we are focusing on black lives matter today.

But one wonder why most of the police brutality and killings are done in blue states run by Democrats?
And the black community keep voting them in for reasons.

LMAO, Citation needed! Arizona is far from a blue state run by Democrats. Don't pull out statistics unless you got proof.

Key word is "MOST."

New York and California being prime examples.

Also, stop excusing the current riots. There is NO virtue in this. No excuses. At all.

You're right, what the police are doing to peaceful protestors is rioting and can only be seen as wrong. No excuse.

macsumner wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:White privilege exists mostly in largely white communities. I live in a town where 75% of the population is black. Here I'm not treated any better or worse than black people I know or am around in any public setting.

BOOM! And there is the point that you are missing. You are NOT treated better OR worse. You are white. How many of your black community members have been stopped by the cops for questionable concerns that you have not, or been overlooked for a job position that you may well have been "lucky" to get, or had someone choose not to sit next to them on the train thanks to a two second judgement of what your skin looks like?

I'm not missing anything. My point was exactly to answer the questions you just asked. I'm not treated better or worse means that they aren't treated better or worse, either. Does that depend on the demographic of the community? Perhaps. Or the racial makeup of the police force? Perhaps. And just to be clear, I'm not speaking for the entire community, I can't be expected to. Only those in it with whom I come in contact.

And condescending statements like "you're part of the problem" or "educate yourself" don't help in a discussion that's supposed to be educational. I say that to all parties involved in general, not just to you specifically.

Calvatron wrote:But i would really love to see the police judged by same standards as the protests. That a few bad cops, and a terrible system, funded by cowardly political choices delegitimizes the entire police.

I don't know if you realise just how close you were to getting that. In the brief time after the death of Floyd but before the riots, I don't know if you noticed not what was being said but what WASN'T being said. people came out in mass against the police, sure, but NOBODY came to their defense. All the Blue Lives Matter people? Silent. The I stand with Police people? Gone. For one brief moment everyone in the country directed their full ire at the police and the egregious abuses they let happen.

Then the riots kicked off, cities were burned, open warfare in the streets, looting and destruction, and that moment was lost. But for one brief time it was there. We were that close.

Solipsist wrote:I had hoped this site would keep politics out of its forums and boards. BLM is at best the black answer to the KKK and with The President announcing that BOTH ANTIFA AND BLM will soon be designated as "Known Terrorist Organizations", I find every person and group, company, etc stating some sort of "Virtue Signalling" and lame support and best wishes type of rhetoric to be part of the problem. The KKK was created by Dixiecrats and now BLM has also been created by Dixiecrats, even if they don't call themselves that anymore! Dems openly support Terrorists and if you support them as well then you are part of the problem for not being educated enough to see the parallels between what the old Dems did and what the contemporary Dems have done. WHY CAN WE NOT KEEP POLITICS OFF AN ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITE??? I feel betrayed and disgusted by the moderators who would inject this slimy topic into a board about something comforting I have had since I was a kid. This is NOT the place for Social Experimentation and attempted Brainwashing of the vulnerable masses who do not understand what contact. Syndrome even is! If you lock me out, FINE! BUT I had to tell you first that you suck for bringing politics into this otherwise somber forum! I pray for your misguided souls that you wake up!
Unless you wish to be known as terrorist sympathizers?!?

Okay, this is pushing the bounds of open and spirited discussion. Please refrain from calling other posters names, especially something as heinous as a terrorist. Disagreeing with the ideas of public groups is one thing, but specifically singling out people here and disparaging them just because you don't agree is definitely not allowed, nor is it constructive.

As for this topic being on here, the site owner himself has explained in repeated posts why he did it, and guess what? He owns the place and can do with it whatever he wants. Even he may not approve of me saying this but you know what? If you don't like it, you don't have to take part. Just visit the other parts of the boards that discuss Transformers. I doubt anyone will chase you down with their opinions on this subject. That goes for everyone who has a problem with this topic being discussed here. No one is forcing you to participate.

Rodimus Prime wrote:I'm not missing anything. My point was exactly to answer the questions you just asked. I'm not treated better or worse means that they aren't treated better or worse, either. Does that depend on the demographic of the community? Perhaps. Or the racial makeup of the police force? Perhaps. And just to be clear, I'm not speaking for the entire community, I can't be expected to. Only those in it with whom I come in contact.

And condescending statements like "you're part of the problem" or "educate yourself" don't help in a discussion that's supposed to be educational. I say that to all parties involved in general, not just to you specifically.

First off, thank you for the passionate yet still respectful reply. I do believe in conversations which can be spirited without being offensive and thank you for recognising I have not used those cited statements because I don't believe they contribute to healthy discussion.

My point that I still think you are not quite seeing is that whilst it is great that you feel safe in your community, I rather suspect if you spoke to many people who live around you experience systematic racism daily which is common but rare for white folks like us to actually see. It doesn't have to be as severe as being keeled to the floor over a suspected forged $20 bill usage. It also exists in the frequency your neighbours get disapproving looks on public transport; on how regularly they don't get away with a fine or close scrutiny of identity and intent when they've been pulled over for speeding; on how regularly they hear a colleague tell "A black man walks into a bar..." followed by the disclaimer "Just joking!".

What I really appreciate about this massive conversation we are all having is that many of us are realising how much we don't see or experience ourselves and the horrifying reality of how widespread the problem still is.

*Footnote : As a parallel to your situation as a white guy in a largely black neighbourhood, I am a (rather outspoken) atheist who lives in the middle of a very orthodox Jewish community. To be honest, I rather like it. Whilst I'm not part of their community, it's a very safe neighbourhood and the families walking to Shul on Saturdays is a peaceful, dignified procession. Yet I'm sure so many of these good people have been harassed in public for wearing their yarmulkes to Woolies.

Makes me sad to see racist transformers fans, I like to pretend this fandom is more open and inclusive. #blacklivesmatter and unfortunately there are too many people living with so much fear and hate that they will never see the problems or make any change to themselves to make the world better.

macsumner wrote:First off, thank you for the passionate yet still respectful reply. I do believe in conversations which can be spirited without being offensive and thank you for recognising I have not used those cited statements because I don't believe they contribute to healthy discussion.

Of course. Civility is key in discussions like this. Tensions are high, people's egos and pride are involved. Sometimes those things prevent us from fully understanding what we are being told, regardless of what it is. I'm certainly included in that. To me this entire thread has been educational.

My point that I still think you are not quite seeing is that whilst it is great that you feel safe in your community, I rather suspect if you spoke to many people who live around you experience systematic racism daily which is common but rare for white folks like us to actually see. It doesn't have to be as severe as being keeled to the floor over a suspected forged $20 bill usage. It also exists in the frequency your neighbours get disapproving looks on public transport; on how regularly they don't get away with a fine or close scrutiny of identity and intent when they've been pulled over for speeding; on how regularly they hear a colleague tell "A black man walks into a bar..." followed by the disclaimer "Just joking!".

I appreciate what you're trying to say. You're probably right when speaking about most communities, probably even this one. However, as I said, I have a harder time agreeing with you on my community specifically, because 1) the population is overwhelmingly black, so if you were correct, that means such discrimination is going on among them. I'm not saying it isn't, but if it is, it has to be something other than just skin color, because almost all of them are black. And 2) I personally haven't witnessed a black person being ostracized by a white person openly in the years I've been here. Hard to believe, but it's true. I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but it's definitely not a common occurrence. Honestly, the small percentage of whites down here treat each other worse than they do blacks.

What I really appreciate about this massive conversation we are all having is that many of us are realising how much we don't see or experience ourselves and the horrifying reality of how widespread the problem still is.

Exactly. Goes back to my above statement about learning a few things from this discussion.

*Footnote : As a parallel to your situation as a white guy in a largely black neighbourhood, I am a (rather outspoken) atheist who lives in the middle of a very orthodox Jewish community. To be honest, I rather like it. Whilst I'm not part of their community, it's a very safe neighbourhood and the families walking to Shul on Saturdays is a peaceful, dignified procession. Yet I'm sure so many of these good people have been harassed in public for wearing their yarmulkes to Woolies.

Yes, it's all about how the majority treats the minority, isn't it? In my situation, being white in this town makes me the overwhelmed minority. But you know what? Openly, I haven't been treated badly by non-whites, regardless of what they may think in private. Maybe I'm just fortunate in that regard.

Rodimus Prime wrote: ...

Thank you for the conversation, bud. Much respect to ya.

HER NAME WAS EMILY JONES \o

I'm very grateful for this news post taking a stand for justice.

A trivial side benefit is that it has helped show who to mute. There are a lot of hostile political talking points here being thrown around by those who oppose justice. They don't want to understand or educate but fight for virtual territory. You can't convince them, you can only mute them and try to steer others in better directions.

There are a few people here who are basically saying, "there are systemic issues with policing but racism is an issue within individuals, not across systems." Please do basic research on "institutional racism." If you don't know what that is, you will understand the other systemic issues better. If you do know what that is and don't believe in it, then you're not serious about having a just society.

...

Ryan, thanks for turning your megaphone back on, if only for a day.

There have been others who have articulated the issue at hand as well as or better than I could. There have been those who have chosen to see that issues that affect others will ultimately affect us all. There are those who immediately retreated into their stance, not really understanding (or perhaps caring about) the reasons for the widespread unrest. In that case, that's what systemic racism does. Boils it and everything down to a "political issue", when it's actually a human issue. I'm just as human as you are. If we believe in the same God (or even the concept of a god) then it really doesn't track that the almighty views anyone as better than anyone else. If you're on the other side of that, then maybe some reflection is in order.

@ Ryan - You probably don't remember, but we once had an hours long conversation waaaaay back in 2000 when you first put this site up and had all the screen grabs from the American Series and Headmasters, before there was a forum or members or galleries of figures. I live in Baltimore, MD - and just so happen to be black. All I remember what we talked about was our mutual love for Transformers. Other than that, I don't remember a thing - but the details weren't important - it was just to speak with someone who had the same undying passion for something I have held in my heart since 1984. That's the only thing really mattered. Still does.

@Everyone - My point for bringing that up is, regardless of political differences, or our stance on a human issue we all here have something in common - Transformers. Perhaps. Perhaps that shared love can offer a little bit of forbearance to the difference of others opinions. There are those I disagree with (hell, on everything) but we're all here - and so I try to give the benefit of the doubt because how bad can you be if you love Transformers?

I don't want or need an actual answer to that question.

What I will say directly about the situation is this: I'm tired of hearing of killing after killing of black people at the hands of the police - of whatever municipality. I know - they kill not black people, too. I hate that they kill anyone. I understand it's a dangerous job. But it seems more dangerous to people that encounter them, than it is to them.

People are calling on police reform, and while that's a good idea, I don't know how you change the hearts of men (and women). A racist is gonna racist. A violent person, who signed up for the penalty free ass whippings is gonna whip ass. It's kind of their deal. Reform then, must mean stricter consequences for abusers of authority. The killing of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin has exposed the country and the world to just how bad the abuse is - sure, people are rioting, and certainly there are those who are bad actors - but there are definitely opportunist hijacking the cause to foment more violence and, of course disinformation. There's definitely an unfit person with an extremely large megaphone - the largest perhaps - with no answers that don't benefit his personal fortunes. That's all happening.

I don't have the perfect answer to the problem. It's a big problem. It will, as others have said, require all of us to rectify it. We will have to start with the lie that is 'race', because right there is where it starts. A false construct designed to keep the haves in the haves and the have nots in the have nots. I got to live on this good Earth more or less 23 years before having to truly face the idea of race, and 23 more years in, it's just in your face all the time. It's exhausting. It's ridiculous. Especially when you know it's a lie.

I won't really say much more than this, because as some people have said, they don't want to talk about this stuff here. I took the opportunity because Ryan, as leader here, gave it. I'm just here for the giant robots, though.

Til All Are One.

UnderYourCloset wrote:*sits back drinking my tea while remembering Burn a few years ago giving me a warning for political debate on the boards*

That's because you kept bringing your politics into threads about toys.

UnderYourCloset wrote:*sits back drinking my tea while remembering Burn a few years ago giving me a warning for political debate on the boards*

You were insulting people because they weren't drinking the Trump kool-aid.

Remember? How you told them they were uneducated? How they were stupid? Simply because they thought differently to you? 'Member that?

Don't try to put a shine on your past behaviour.

I don't post often... and I only barely have a toe in the fandom...
And sometimes I think you are all kind of crazy.

But... Damn, I'm proud to be on this site.

Thanks, Seibertron, for standing up.

PushYouDown wrote:I don't post often... and I only barely have a toe in the fandom...
And sometimes I think you are all kind of crazy.

But... Damn, I'm proud to be on this site.

Thanks, Seibertron, for standing up.

I agree entirely with this. I check the site regularly but have never posted and just wanted to make a point of thanking Ryan for taking this stance.

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

Thank you for this post. I was honestly surprised when I saw the facebook posting pop up for it.

For the people saying this is a fansite for a toy line and shouldn't be posting things like this, I've been seeing that kind of response all week on everything that supports BLM. So, I have to ask, who or what, is/are supposed to be the appropriate people or places for opinions such as this to be expressed? Or is it only an acceptable opinion if it supports your political beliefs?

For the people saying "But what about the riots!" Ok, so what about them? Yeah, they can be violent and inexcusible, what what about the fact they have two starting factors; The police instigating them by attacking peaceful protests, and outside instigators who are going there just to start something to make it look bad on the news. Has anyone noticed that when the police were pulled back and taken out of their full body armor, that the protests remained 100% peaceful, even after nightfall?

"What about the looters!" you ask? You mean like millionaire Jake Paul in Arizona? A white dude caught on camera in a mall after it was broken into by looters.

Then there's the police. People keep saying "Not all police are bad!" Sure, that may be true, but where are all these good cops when all this bad crap is happening? You see dozens of police around in groups while a couple are shooting unarmed people in the face, shooting reporters in the face and causing them to lose their eyes, where are they when this happens, cause they sure as hell are not doing anything to stop them. If -four- cops murder an unarmed black man, what percentage of police are good? Cause it sure as hell doesn't look like 25%, and if it's lower than that, that is not acceptable.

For the white people saying how they don't have privilege because ____ (fill in the blank), congratulations. You're showing your privilege.

All lives don't matter until black lives matter.

Thank you for supporting BLM Seibertron. You didn't have to say nothing, but you did. That is awesome.

Black Lives Matter.

It's that simple. They are the lives that are in peril. They are the lives that need our help and support. They need our help.

It's about being human, and about treating all humans equally as humans.

It's not politics, it's humanity and equality.

If it makes you uncomfortable, you are part of the problem.

If you state that "all lives matter", you are missing the point entirely and are showing you are part of the problem.

This thread has helped shine a light on both some of our best, and sadly some of the truly awful members of our community and fandom.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Black Lives Matter.

It's that simple. They are the lives that are in peril. They are the lives that need our help and support. They need our help.

It's about being human, and about treating all humans equally as humans.

It's not politics, it's humanity and equality.

If it makes you uncomfortable, you are part of the problem.

If you state that "all lives matter", you are missing the point entirely and are showing you are part of the problem.

This thread has helped shine a light on both some of our best, and sadly some of the truly awful members of our community and fandom.

Excellent post.

It seems a lot of folks here are having an issue with what systemic racism really is. I know I didn't quite understand it until I watched this.


While the presentation is simple, the idea is complex, and SCARY AF!

This concept of Red Lining really set me off. I live in a city were the public school system is in shambles. In my search for ways I could personally help to combat systemic racism, I am looking into how I can help with public school funding reform.

Why the **** shouldn't all Americans be entitled an equal education?!

Wheelimus Prime wrote:Good to see a seibs post on this. Since I see a lot of people going "All lives matter!" in response to "Black lives matter!", I'll share the relevant part of a post I made on facebook (for the record, I am black)


To my friends saying "All lives matter" in response to "black lives matter" or who don't "understand" or "agree" with the protests, you're not black, I don't expect you to understand it. Race is by its nature, a core part of this problem.

When the cop asks you for your license and registration, you probably go straight for your glovebox or pocket without thinking "is he going to shoot me because he 'thinks' my owner's manual or wallet is a gun?" even after announcing to the officer that you do not have a weapon in the vehicle and that you are going to reach into the glovebox to get your registration. I'd hazard a guess that almost none of you announce your actions to the police before doing them.

I'd bet that you've never driven behind your parents and had them call you before approaching a traffic stop nervously saying to make no sudden moves, to tell your siblings in the car to stay quiet and do not move, and to announce every action you're doing before you do it. That happened to me on what my parents believed was my first police interaction on their move to Georgia.

That's why this isn't just about police brutality. Because chances are, you get slightly inconvenienced by your traffic stops, not worried that each one could be your last.

And if you still have trouble understanding or agreeing with the protestors, this isn't limited to traffic stops. You take being able to do a lot of things for granted. Things like visiting the park on a sunny day, jogging as a form of exercise, and even sleeping in your own home at night after a long day at work. Ask your black friends how well they slept the night that last one broke the news.

On the same day that Floyd was killed, a white student at the University of Connecticut was charged with killing 1 man and injuring another and led police on a manhunt across 4 states where he was finally apprehended outside of Maryland 3 days later.

A man charged with the murder of 1 and the wounding of another, on the run and described as "armed and extremely dangerous" was apprehended. Still alive today awaiting his trial. A man charged with using a forged $20 and doing drugs was killed in police custody. There are countless cases of unarmed black men being shot by the police because they "feared for their lives" yet "armed and extremely dangerous" killers get "apprehended".

Oh, by the way, the cop that actually killed Floyd wasn't charged until 4 days later. After the protests. The other 3 complicit in his death weren't charged until today, 9 days later.

It took nation-wide outcry to get these people charged despite there being video of them murdering Floyd. It took the cops 8 minutes to Kill him.

Let's go back in time 2.5 months. Breonna Taylor, an EMT, was shot 8 times by police on March 13. The "no-knock" warrant that was signed to let the police enter her home was for 2 different men allegedly selling drugs who may have used her apartment to receive packages.

Breonna Taylor was shot 8 times and killed over packages. The UConn student was apprehended for murdering 1 person and injuring another.



And by the way, Breonna's murderers remain free today, 2.5 months later. But police did try and charge (though dismissed) her boyfriend, Walker, with attempted murder of an officer.

Imagine being a law abiding citizen and a group of men break into your home, murder your girlfriend, and then charge YOU with attempted murder for firing back at them.

Can you really claim to not understand why people are upset? Can you really "not agree" with the people protesting?

I have been a member of this community for over 10 years and have NEVER been so honored and almost immediately disgusted simultaneously. I want to first thank and commend Ryan for being so supportive at a time where our nation is facing rather unique circumstances. We are in the midst of a world wide pandemic (for those of you who aren't keyboard sleuths and wild conspiracy theorist), an economic crisis that threatens to rival the last recession, and we are forcibly reckoning with a long history of racial prejudice and systemic racism. Ryan, you have chosen to bring to light the social pandemic that similar to the current health crisis, largely affects the black community, certainly afflicts us all, and has quite a few that figuratively sit on high spreading conspiracies that it doesn't actually exist. When it comes to the comic book/toy collecting community our experience is the same as in any other aspect of American society, that if black people want to remain a part of the collective we have to totally ignore any inequalities that we may encounter in order to keep everyone else comfortable. I've read through this thread and witnessed some of the most God awful excuses and innuendo regarding what black people may or may not be experiencing and whether George Floyd's murder was actually race related. Ive read people's prosecution of his life and damn near justification for his subsequent conviction and eventual death sentence right here on this thread. But the reality is IF YOU ARE NOT BLACK YOU SHOULD JUST MAKE AT LEAST A HALF ASS EFFORT TO EDUCATE YOURSELF BY LISTENING TO A BLACK PERSON PARTICULARLY IN THIS COMMUNITY!!! Our experiences are very real and unlike any you could ever imagine. If we are in this community of collectors, trust that we are the “good guys” who have more than likely refrained from the kind of stereotypical lifestyle that many of you believe justified so many of our brothers and sisters public execution at the hands of law enforcement or any number of "concerned citizens" that were only trying to keep their neighborhood safe. Read that last sentence again. We were/are the kids with the glasses, reading comic books, drawing, listening to Hip Hop, Rock, R&B, Grunge, Classical, Jazz, and Blue Grass, playing D&D, video games, collecting and customizing action figures, going to Comic-Con, YET AND STILL BEING HARASSED BY POLICE AND OVER ZEALOUS NEIGHBORS (Karens). I have had cops ask me the most humiliating questions after I piqued their curriosity enough to bust a u-turn as I was driving to my 2nd job. I’ve had officers pull me over on a bicycle as I rode along a sidewalk running an errand for my Mom. That cop specifically commanded me to keep my hands on the handle bars where he could see them, right after asking for my ID. I’v also had two different occasions where an officer has pulled his gun on me. I’ve had the “You fit the description”, and that’s always fun I guess. Even if you’ve experienced half of these things (and I know most of you haven’t) there’s a great chance it wasn’t because of your skin color. It’s easy for us to fee alone in our life experiences, particularly in social spaces that we are not stereotypically known to occupy, that’s why Ryan posting this is so important. It lets us know we’re not alone. How can we love some of the most heroic characters Like Optimus, Rodimus, Magnus and so many others and then whine because “I came here for Transformers collecting news. I don’t want to hear about human suffering”, Boo F%@king Hoo! How do some of you people quote Optimus, “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings” “Til all are one”, then turn around a pick apart who has the right to champion what causes in regards to human suffering? The fact that the late Mr. Floyd could have two officers kneeling on his back, one officer kneeling on his neck and yet another officer threatening and keeping concerned citizens away from saving him as he lay there dying, just so a few of you on this forum could further assisinate his character posthumously IS EXACTLY WHY THIS IS ABOUT RACE. How dare you? Since many of you love to quote Optimus, but apparently can’t muster up how to actually be a hero at this time, here’s one of my favorite quotes from him; “Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing.” Thank you Ryan for answering fate’s call at this moment and not being a coward. #Tilallareone #BlackLivesMatter