Anybody see these guys?

[ditchdigger]

I've heard "thugs" used far more often to describe labor union members. Before reading this discussion, I'm not sure I'd have automatically made an association with members of any particular race.

[erieguy]

I'd wager very few make that association.

[montymontage]

This very same group used to appear every Saturday night in downtown Minneapolis, my present city. Hearing them every week, I eventually found my tolerance for free speech was overcome by their antisemitism, their homophobia, their overall regressive message.

Previously, posters had mentioned Fred Phelps's band of wackos. I walked down a side walk on which the late, aforementioned gentleman was fulminating. The vibe in either case was very similar.

It's just a shame that people can be so twisted. It's tempting to legally agitate against them; to at least mock them but that fuels their self-serving sense of being marginalized. Best to ignore 'em, I suppose.

I doubt they'll make any converts in the fine city of Pittsburgh. I don't think they are thugs per se, but they certainly are windbags that do violence to faith communities everywhere.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by tclifton

You would be wrong then. I mind.

I'm not a big proponent of throwing phrases around like "hate speech", but that's what this is. Would you feel the same if they were Nazis or the KKK?

These Black Hebrew Israelis, or whatever they label themselves, aren't a political group, they are only giving a call to repentance.


We've seen this before, with many religious groups in town over the years.


It isn't particularly offensive to me to hear diverse religious views- we had a preacher delivering regular sermons at 5th and Smithfield for many, many years calling people to repentance since I was a kid. We had Hare Krishnas on our streets in town doing their thing, amish types in Market Square touting their religious views, muslims selling incense and "final call" magazines on 5th Avenue. Various groups of "Jesus Freaks" were on the street when I was a young adult in the 70's.


I don't agree with any of these people's views, but they are entitled to them. and street preaching is a long American tradition.


The Westboro people aren't the same, they aren't religious and they aren't seeking converts, and are only fishing for lawsuits.

I have no reason to doubt that these Black Israelis are sincere in their beliefs, just like all of those other religious people.

[gg]

Originally Posted by norcider

I'll bet I'm older than you haha! When I hear thug I hear a code word for "black man". It's what it has become right or wrong.

When I hear "thug", I don't think of color, just someone bullying others. Race is just a buzz word thingy that is promoted by the media because it sells. Look at the color thing this way. Obama, who is darker skinned was voted in by a majority vote twice and the American population is 77% so-called white. Most people don't have time for the race thingy. Most just look at the subject at hand. This guys are goons that want to kill gay people. Kind of sick really.

[sealie]

Originally Posted by ditchdigger

I've heard "thugs" used far more often to describe labor union members. Before reading this discussion, I'm not sure I'd have automatically made an association with members of any particular race.

Well, try this. Do a search of posts in this subforum for "thug". Discount this thread. Note the results, then read a few posts and see how many of the people described in context are white, or for that matter, union members. It's not an absolute, but you'll see a correlation if you look for it.

[Yac]

I really like it how there are always people that go out of their way to feel offended and to read more than there was written.
And by really like, I mean it makes me feel sad and forces me to post things like this:
Get back on topic please. This thread is going nowhere constructive and will be closed if this doesn't change.
Yac.

[ElijahAstin]

"Black Hebrew Israelite" is actually an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of theological and political practices. Most entail an idiosyncratic form of Messianic Judaism, centered on the notion that African Americans descend from the tribe of Israel. While not all are black supremacists, all too many spend their days denouncing the "white devil imposter" Jews (aka the Ashkenazim, whom, unlike the Black Hebrew Israelites, have actual genetic ties to the Middle East). The same people spew their nonsense in parts of Philly, NYC, and many other US cities. This is the first I've heard of them "preaching" in PGH, but I don't keep especially close tabs on them so maybe they've been at it for awhile.

That's not to say I oppose their right to free speech. I just have no qualms calling their hate speech what it is. I definitely agree they're best left ignored.