When the term “mob” is mentioned, it is often congruent with or resulting from a specific incident. Previously, mobs tended to be side effects of highly energized or emotional events such as protests or rallies.
Recently civilian attacks throughout the U.S. have been without any noted motivation or apparent reasoning. The mobs that committed them bring a whole new paradigm to the word. It is hard to fathom violence of this magnitude being commonplace in U.S. cities, but times are indeed changing.
The first instance worthy of mentioning occurred at the Wisconsin State Fair Thursday, Aug. 7 in Milwaukee, WI. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “dozens to hundreds of black youths attacked white people as they left the fair, punching and kicking people and shaking and pounding on their vehicles.” At least 31 people were arrested for disorderly conduct. Eleven people, seven of which were police officers, were injured.
Speculation is anticipated after such a scene. Being from Wisconsin myself, I was often subjected to comments about my race. Every conversation I shared could not escape scrutiny of the black community. It became clear that resentment and bad feelings were corrupting the minds of young people.
The fact of the matter is that generalizations will be made, whether they are justifiable or not. When a specific group of people violently targets another, more violence is sure to come.
Of course, Milwaukee is only one of the cities subject to this chaos. Philadelphia has recently implemented a curfew system among youths in an attempt to prevent further crime from spreading. According to Fox News, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is taking mob matters into his own hands.
“If you are out wreaking havoc, if you are out causing problems, if you are out doing things you shouldn't be doing, we're going to get you off the streets,” Nutter told the Philadelphia’s Daily News Inquirer.
Arizona is no stranger to uprisings, gang-related violence in particular. The Arizona Republic discussed an instance in Mesa where boys as young as 13 participated in a “gang initiation” involving beating a potential gang member for at least 13 seconds.
So, what is the reason for all this violence? This big question remains unanswered. It would be simply ignorant to claim everything is racially motivated. That may be the easiest assumption to make, but the truth is that racism has always been prevalent whether we choose to see it or not.
Why is 2011 in the U.S. the time for uninhibited resentment toward one another?
My theory stems from the economic struggle. Americans are frustrated to the point of complete and utter desperation. Nothing is handed to the average working-class citizen. Furthermore, a lifetime of dedication to a trade guarantees nothing.
Racism clearly was a component of the Wisconsin State Fair mob, but I refuse to believe those feelings were sparked without reason. In this case, the resentment seems to come from jealousy due to opportunity. Violence is never justifiable, but it hardly ever “just happens.” As residents of the U.S., we need to remember we’re all in this together. Nobody ever will have it easy if our eyes stay blinded by hate.
Reach the columnist at inovak@asu.edu
