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straightloco44 t1_j63z8jk wrote

Reply to comment by Madca in Men gathered around sign reading “Police.. We need your protection... not your harassment, Garfield Teen Organization,” on Columbo Avenue, Garfield: April, 1968: photograph by charles "teenie" Harris. by Yinzerman1992

I appreciate that. I do understand it's a choice. However I also understand for me it's not out of morbid curiosity. With me, I feel it's more the need to bear witness. There are plenty of horrible viral things to view just to satisfy morbid curiosity. I feel like indifference and/or the desire to simply not confront horrible things play a big role in why nothing ever changes. When I say I wish to avoid it but I know I won't, it's because I don't want to turn a blind eye to it. Not saying those who choose not to watch like yourself are doing that, but for me it feels like not viewing is ignoring the problem. Kind of like making the German citizens walk through the concentration camps. When I say I'm not sure what that means about myself ( the fact I know I will watch), I wonder why I feel I have to be that witness? When in fact I know that simple act alone won't initiate change.

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Madca t1_j641bj6 wrote

I appreciate your thoughtful response and am glad that you clarified. I can’t answer why you feel that way, but I think it’s up to all of us to bear that weight together, to deal kindly with each other, and push for change here in Pittsburgh where we can. We can’t do much about Memphis beyond mourn with them, but we can do our best to make it better here.

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Jumpy-Natural4868 t1_j64an93 wrote

I just won't be able to do it. I know that news will show some stills and that will be too much for me. Empathy for his family and friends. So sad.

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dmcd0415 t1_j642vgf wrote

> I wonder why I feel I have to be that witness?

That's what morbid curiosity is lol

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straightloco44 t1_j646yhp wrote

I don't agree in this instance. I see morbid curiosity more or less as something like viewing a car accident. The act of watching is solely because you want to see. Whereas when it comes to videos such as police brutality, I feel like my need to see is connected to my desire to not ignore the issue. There are plenty of things that I come across that I choose not to look at. But I feel like I can't look away from these things . If so, I become part of the problem. The indifference. Trust there are many a time when I wish I can be like others and just say that's awful, not watch and move on.

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dmcd0415 t1_j648c3o wrote

You can be outraged by police behavior and not have to watch every single new video of them killing someone in cold blood. Watching to see just exactly how bad this one was is in fact morbid curiosity. Like I said, I can't possibly think any less of police without watching but now one who doesn't watch it is part of the problem because they're ignoring it and indifferent to police violence? This is some serious self righteousness here

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straightloco44 t1_j64ewnv wrote

I swear people on here don't read. I never said that people who don't watch are less compassionate or indifferent. I said for me. For me. Has nothing to do with no one else.

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Eubadom t1_j64rexu wrote

There are plenty of people who are not outrage already that absolutely need to see it.

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