I understand where you’re coming from and I think it’s a legitimate position to argue why people should watch it. We do not disagree there. What I was trying to get across was that if you’re going to watch it solely out of curiosity and being nosey, probably don’t watch it then if that’s your only motivation. It’s like stopping and staring at a car accident; if you aren’t stopping to help then be respectful and be on your way. I misunderstood the intentions of the comment I was replying to and they gave a thoughtful reply, so being nosey is neither how they’re approaching it nor how they intended the comment to come off.

We both agree that people should be outraged when the police do everything from abuse people to murder them. Some people need to see it happen because they don’t think cops are capable of that level of brutality for whatever reason. Others because they feel they have a moral obligation to bear witness. If that’s the case, do it. All I was saying earlier was if your motivation of watching is solely to be outraged and then do nothing else, perhaps consider where that’s coming from.

I will say, I’m curious why you brought up rage bait media like the tan suit and implied that I was treating them the same. Personally I feel that my original comment was treating this as a serious matter, but if I in any way made that seem otherwise it was not my intent.

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.

I mean this in a completely non-judgmental way, but it’s as simple as exercising self control and not watching it. I think it’s important to ask ourselves why we want to see it. If the answer is anything remotely close to watching out of morbid curiosity, then I think we should give Tyre respect and treat him with the dignity that the cops denied him by avoiding the video.

Your response implies that you have no choice in the manner other than to consume a viral piece of media, and I find that disheartening. Personally, I think the brutal description is enough. Where the situation murkier, watching to make an informed decision on the matter is one thing, but I think we need to be discerning in the media we consume if all we’re looking for is a thrill and to be outraged.