[Omaha Rocks]

Ex-Black Panther files appeal - Omaha.com

40 years after the booby-trap killing of an Omaha Police Officer, Edward Poindexter is again filing an appeal to overturn his conviction.

Obviously, none of us know for sure if he is or is not guilty. But this case - which will probably not make a lot of waves - has gotten me thinking...

I'd LOVE to think that Omaha (and our nation) has moved far beyond the violence, hatred, segregation and racial strife of the 60s.

But have we?


I think we've come a long way. But it's sad and troubling to know that there are still active "pockets" of racial hatred and animosity out there - and not just between blacks and whites.

Are we headed the right way in race relations?

[McBain II]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

Are we headed the right way in race relations?

Yes. We'll never completely eliminate racism, but we're continuing to minimize it's impact.

[Huckleberry3911948]

you can eliminate racism. but you cant eliminate the damage of murder and the need to punish those who do it.

[DTO Luv]

Except that he's innocent and didn't kill that cop.

[Happy Cells]

Booby-trap killing of a police officer?


....bad juju.....

Let the conviction stand....Appeal denied.

[pheaton]

Some people have moved on, some have not. Shame on those that haven't moved on and shame on those that group everyone in with the ones that haven't moved on.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Except that he's innocent and didn't kill that cop.

Of course he didn't. The bomb did. But who planted the bomb, and lured the cop into the house?


Now... back to the topic of the thread.

[Calvinist]

It's a lot better than it has been in the past. I do believe we're moving in the right direction. 30 years ago a black and white person married was an oddity. Now, it's common. I think that's awesome that we don't even think about that anymore. It's just becoming more and more common and.....just not an issue.

One wonders though, if the election of our president was a result of better race relations, or partially a result of racism. There was a record turnout among black people, and how many stories did you hear of people who had never voted before registering JUST to vote for him because he's black?

Black people vote democrat 87%....in this past election it was 95%--with a record turnout, no less. Special treatment based on skin color is as much racism as mistreatment because of skin color.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Calvinist

It's a lot better than it has been in the past. I do believe we're moving in the right direction. 30 years ago a black and white person married was an oddity. Now, it's common. I think that's awesome that we don't even think about that anymore. It's just becoming more and more common and.....just not an issue.

One wonders though, if the election of our president was a result of better race relations, or partially a result of racism. There was a record turnout among black people, and how many stories did you hear of people who had never voted before registering JUST to vote for him because he's black?

Black people vote democrat 87%....in this past election it was 95%--with a record turnout, no less. Special treatment based on skin color is as much racism as mistreatment because of skin color.

Many blacks voted for President Obama for no other reason than because he is black. That brings up an interesting point, because a white person not voting for Obama for no other reason than because he's black, would be perceived as horrific racism.

On the other hand, many whites obviously voted for President Obama as well. He could not have been elected by "black only" votes. So I suppose that's a good thing.


I think our progress in racial issues is largely due to simple familiarity. I'm fortunate that all 3 of our kids grew up amidst racial diversity. They grew up going to school with Hispanics, Latinos, Blacks, a few Asians, and even recent immigrants. It's interesting, because none of them even seem to notice racial differences. They're so accustomed to being around it.

I think THAT is where & how the real progress in race relations is going to happen. Simple familiarity.

[Calvinist]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

I think our progress in racial issues is largely due to simple familiarity. I'm fortunate that all 3 of our kids grew up amidst racial diversity. They grew up going to school with Hispanics, Latinos, Blacks, a few Asians, and even recent immigrants. It's interesting, because none of them even seem to notice racial differences. They're so accustomed to being around it.

I think THAT is where & how the real progress in race relations is going to happen. Simple familiarity.

Can't agree more.