Ignoring the invective for a moment, I see both sides.
The actions of the convicted were stupid. Even if the partying family exacerbated the situation by cursing the morons and throwing rocks and bottles at them as has been reported, that doesn't excuse the escalation. Someone could have gotten hurt.
The sentences are excessive for what transpired. That's hard to argue. Whether you think they "got what they deserved" or not, a comparison of sentences given to people who followed through rather than making drunken threats will bear this out. There are burglars, rapists and killers who got off lighter. While someone could have been hurt, nobody was.
Also don't think you can argue that this was a "precedent" sentence as opposed to a judicious one. Because of the element of the confederate flag there was a fear of being perceived as taking it lightly. I agree with CC in that had this been a Black Lives Matter march rolling through a white neighborhood and a similar confrontation occurred we'd never hear about it. Misdemeanors to go around. I think that's wrong. Justice should be blind and I think in this case she was looking over her shoulder afraid to upset a group known to respond with outrage, protest and worse at the mildest potential slight. As silly as it sounds on it's face, white people are at a significant disadvantage in situations like this.
Some people use the confederate flag as a reminder of the South and their Southern pride and heritage.
Some people use the confederate flag as a symbol of racist hate.
The group above was using the flag as the latter.
And that is what is wrong with the confederate flag. You can't talk about southern heritage and pride when there are groups out there that use that symbol as a racist calling card. I personally don't have a problem with the confederate flag as a symbol of my Southern pride, but it is not that any more. We can argue why, but there is really no point. It is what it is.
So you can't lump this in as just the "confederate flag" like you guys are trying to. These guys were flying the flag as a racist group. The drove up to some black families, called them and their children "blacks", told them that they were going to kill them and their kids, and did it while pointing a shotgun at them. So not only is this threatening someone with a deadly weapon, it is doing it for the sole reason because they are black.
I'm sorry, but that is bullshit. And I don't feel sorry for someone doing something stupid because they are drunk. That's not an excuse. This was premeditated to an extent and needs to be fucking stopped. I don't feel sorry for them one fucking bit.
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