Fear Is A Cage

Monday night, Labor Day, my brother went to get some Chinese take-out near where he lives not far from Princeton. He was brutally attacked by a group of (non-English speaking) under-age marauders. Fortunately, someone must have called the cops who arrived within minutes. Nevertheless, he suffered a black eye as well as a broken nose.

I am reminded of the beating death of the unsuspecting Dabbawalla dishwasher in Summit a couple of months back. And also of the numerous attacks on Hispanic men over in Staten Island (11 by last count) where the Mexican authorities have since become involved. And also the attack on the Indian professor (I forget where) in South Jersey. The MO is always the same: the victim’s head is targeted for punishment. Often one of the gang video tapes the assault.

My brother is the gentlest, most unassuming person you’d ever want to meet. He’s the last one to pick a fight in any situation. This was a random thrill attack if there ever was one. Our social fabric is tearing apart.

Why are these things this happening…? I ask myself. What is there to be gained? Plenty! Random attacks on citizens destabilize society. Random attacks give targeted attacks cover. Chaos is also something that is desired by some. The legal system is fully primed to lean over backwards to accommodate criminal activity. Our Justice Department has made it clear that certain minorities are exempt from prosecution for certain crimes. At the same time, our southern border remains wide open.

So, what would anyone expect? Islam and Black Liberation Theology are the religions of the poor. Therefore, whatever anyone does in their name is protected. The double standard has been duly noted and legitimized at the highest levels of our hierarchical social structure.

It is not against current law to burn a Koran or piss on a cross. It is still against our law, however, to assault or murder innocents. Fear is a cage. The law is a carefully braided rope. Why do we use it to hang ourselves, when we could be using it to set ourselves free.

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Somebody Tell The White House

I am deeply saddened tonight. A middle-aged Ecuadorian man was beaten to death on Saturday night. He was sitting on a bench in a small park across the street from the Indian restaurant where he worked as a dishwasher. At around 9:30 in the evening he was approached by three youths. Two sat down beside him. One threw a white cloth over his face; a second beat him; while a third video taped the action. The attack appears to have been unprovoked.

This happened smack in the center of town where I have lived off and on for over 50 years. In all that time, I cannot remember anything like this ever happening. The victim was taken to Overlook Hospital where he died on Tuesday.

It took the police and mayor till Tuesday to release a statement. They were hoping the man wouldn’t die so the incident could be swept under the rug and forgotten. Meanwhile, the video had made the rounds on the internet long before. Citizens are understandably outraged. What had taken the mayor so long to warn residents? He claimed that an immediate statement would have compromised the investigation.

An 18-year old was arrested. A 17-year old, who is said to have inflicted the fatal blows, has also been taken into custody, though his name was not released due to his age. The camera guy was let go.

Summit is one of the wealthiest towns in the state. Property values have barely been affected by the recession. The prosperous commercial center where it happened consists primarily of banks, up-scale restaurants and hair salons. Though, since the recession started, there have been some businesses that have closed.

There is a sizable and close-knit Hispanic community here. There will be more blood. It got me to thinking that the race war the White House seems so intent on provoking will misfire. The battle is coming alright. But it will not be fought between whites and all others. Whites will know enough to steer clear.

Somebody tell the White House.