Post by john on Dec 13, 2019 21:04:38 GMT
www.wxyz.com/news/investigators-focusing-on-4-alleged-assaults-in-fight-at-denby-vs-almont-game
This story has been going on for a few weeks in my world, with connections to both sides. The black school is near where I grew up on the east side of Detroit. The white school is near where I finished growing up from about 10 years old, and I have family there still, including one of the coaches of the white team.
After reading the Detroit Public Schools superintendent's statement, I wrote him an email telling him what a piece of "something" I think he is:
I would have put more thought into it if I had expected him to read it, but he did read it and responded with this:
Well, since he asked, I answered:
This story has been going on for a few weeks in my world, with connections to both sides. The black school is near where I grew up on the east side of Detroit. The white school is near where I finished growing up from about 10 years old, and I have family there still, including one of the coaches of the white team.
After reading the Detroit Public Schools superintendent's statement, I wrote him an email telling him what a piece of "something" I think he is:
I admit there are some deplorable racists in Almont and there probably were some at that football game. Racism is disgusting, but you know what is just as bad? YOU excusing violent actions by Denby players in response to deplorable words. Words can be hurtful, but violence is NEVER an acceptable response to words. You are a real piece of **** for not acknowledging your players were part of the problem in that incident, and continuing to stoke the racial fires with misinformation. You'll never be anything but a political hack rather than a real educator.
Detroit Public Schools deserve so much better than you. Those Denby students deserve better than you.
Detroit Public Schools deserve so much better than you. Those Denby students deserve better than you.
Thank you for your thoughts. For clarity, please define "violence" as it relates to what occurred after the football game? NV
I won't define "violence" for a well-educated guy like you, but I'll give you some examples that SHOULD be obvious:
1. Charging aggressively toward spectators in the stands and climbing over the fence to get to them. Don't tell me you think the intent was to have a civil conversation.
2. Spitting at the guy in the stands, who then spit back which was also wrong and even worse because he is an adult and should have more restraint than a teen (From what I hear, NOT an Almont resident. Also not white but Middle Eastern if it's the guy I think it is, not that it really matters, since minorities can be bigoted too)
3. Throwing helmets into the crowd. I saw at least two helmets thrown, and also heard shoes were thrown at spectators but I didn't see it myself.
Watch ALL of the videos. You will see one Denby player shove a woman who is trying to stop him from rushing the stands. The woman may be his mother judging from the way she yells at him.
On the other hand, several of the Denby players showed excellent restraint in not getting involved in the melee, and even in trying to stop their teammates from doing so. THEY are to be commended. It looks like #10 who holds back the player who spit on the man in the stands. Keeping a cool head in a tense situation, and trying to help your friends avoid mistakes they will regret, those are laudable qualities.
I understand that the players were heated and reacting in anger, and I don't think teens should face any serious discipline for an incident where nobody was hurt, but their actions were still wrong. Defending them as if they did nothing wrong is doing them a disservice in their lives after high school. This could be a teachable moment for them. The adults on the other side may already be a lost cause.
1. Charging aggressively toward spectators in the stands and climbing over the fence to get to them. Don't tell me you think the intent was to have a civil conversation.
2. Spitting at the guy in the stands, who then spit back which was also wrong and even worse because he is an adult and should have more restraint than a teen (From what I hear, NOT an Almont resident. Also not white but Middle Eastern if it's the guy I think it is, not that it really matters, since minorities can be bigoted too)
3. Throwing helmets into the crowd. I saw at least two helmets thrown, and also heard shoes were thrown at spectators but I didn't see it myself.
Watch ALL of the videos. You will see one Denby player shove a woman who is trying to stop him from rushing the stands. The woman may be his mother judging from the way she yells at him.
On the other hand, several of the Denby players showed excellent restraint in not getting involved in the melee, and even in trying to stop their teammates from doing so. THEY are to be commended. It looks like #10 who holds back the player who spit on the man in the stands. Keeping a cool head in a tense situation, and trying to help your friends avoid mistakes they will regret, those are laudable qualities.
I understand that the players were heated and reacting in anger, and I don't think teens should face any serious discipline for an incident where nobody was hurt, but their actions were still wrong. Defending them as if they did nothing wrong is doing them a disservice in their lives after high school. This could be a teachable moment for them. The adults on the other side may already be a lost cause.
….Joe