DrDawkinstein Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) For your reading pleasure... https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/i-want-to-talk-to-y-all-about-empathy-for-a-minute-01ezsfa6qfh7/ I Want to Talk to Y’all About EMPATHY for a Minute Edited March 2, 2021 by DrDawkinstein 1 1 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxcar Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Was the gun charge simply having a gun that wasn't registered to him? If so, 5 year minimum is insane. I get you need to have standards for crimes but that seems like a long time. Not to get political or anything, but a lot of black youth suffer from not having a dad, statistically speaking. This has correlated to a higher likelihood of crime and gang activity. So I have to ask: how does taking a dad away from his kids for 5 years help this situation at all? It seems counter productive, assuming Dion isn't skipping over any important details. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 I wont quote from the article. You all can read it and take it how you want. But I will ADD to it. A quote from Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett: “It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.” 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Noggin Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Important for everyone to read perspectives like this. Especially those hailing from Bills country. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Dion Dawkins is the ***** man 6 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17islongenough Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 27 minutes ago, Boxcar said: Was the gun charge simply having a gun that wasn't registered to him? If so, 5 year minimum is insane. I get you need to have standards for crimes but that seems like a long time. Not to get political or anything, but a lot of black youth suffer from not having a dad, statistically speaking. This has correlated to a higher likelihood of crime and gang activity. So I have to ask: how does taking a dad away from his kids for 5 years help this situation at all? It seems counter productive, assuming Dion isn't skipping over any important details. This is his charge. Not sure why he could not have it though. https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2009/title-2c/2c-39/2c-39-7/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxcar Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 6 minutes ago, 17islongenough said: This is his charge. Not sure why he could not have it though. https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2009/title-2c/2c-39/2c-39-7/ So he had a previous charge that led to him being restricted from possessing a gun? Seems a bit disingenuous to not include that. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 2 minutes ago, Boxcar said: So he had a previous charge that led to him being restricted from possessing a gun? Seems a bit disingenuous to not include that. Coulda been a robbery charge from when he was a teen, or the like. Doesnt even say it has to be a felony. Dion's point still stands, he doesnt support what his brother did, but it isnt mandatory jail time in plenty of other states. And now we are getting into the weeds that Dion was trying to avoid which cloud empathy towards the person on the other side of this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsDude Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Dion is now officially my favorite Buffalo Bill. Was leaning that way prior, because of his personality, efforts on the field and off, and for being the best teammate one could have asked for, but that letter was amazingly well written, done so from the heart, showing his caring nature, strength and wisdom, and speaking the truths, but doing so in a fair way that could make his family, and others who have made mistakes or been at the wrong place and time--proud too. Nobody is perfect, and we most could be where his brother is if the police knew of certain wrongs or mistakes, or if justice then did not give us a second chance or turn a blind eye. A little more common sense, fairness and compassion could go along way to making this a better place, for all. Too often wrong assumptions are made, and because of a lack of desire to get the whole, complete truth, but to spin, to fit the stereotypical belief. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I’m assuming that he was in possession of a fire arm without a permit which is a big no no. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said: For your reading pleasure... https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/i-want-to-talk-to-y-all-about-empathy-for-a-minute-01ezsfa6qfh7/ I Want to Talk to Y’all About EMPATHY for a Minute The stuff Dion writes is always so articulate, and so deep from the heart. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Boxcar said: Was the gun charge simply having a gun that wasn't registered to him? If so, 5 year minimum is insane. I get you need to have standards for crimes but that seems like a long time. Not to get political or anything, but a lot of black youth suffer from not having a dad, statistically speaking. This has correlated to a higher likelihood of crime and gang activity. So I have to ask: how does taking a dad away from his kids for 5 years help this situation at all? It seems counter productive, assuming Dion isn't skipping over any important details. Not to get into race but I know a lot of white people who don't have dads either I don't think it's a race thing. It's an upbringing thing and an economic thing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwai San Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: Not to get into race but I know a lot of white people who don't have dads either I don't think it's a race thing. It's an upbringing thing and an economic thing All about the upbringing - that and self improvement. One begets the other.....plenty of rich kids are eff ups too..... Edited March 2, 2021 by Kwai San 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 9 minutes ago, Kwai San said: All about the upbringing - that and self improvement. One begets the other.....plenty of rich kids are eff ups too..... Hahahah tons of rich kids are spoiled brats and eff ups! They are probably the worst 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo ill Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 As a life long (minus military service) Idaho resident, I cannot fathom being locked up for 5 years due to posession of a firearm. We have permitless concealed carry here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 21 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: Hahahah tons of rich kids are spoiled brats and eff ups! They are probably the worst Yep but the money keeps them out of prison 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appoo Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Kwai San said: All about the upbringing - that and self improvement. One begets the other.....plenty of rich kids are eff ups too..... Economic area is a massive factor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appoo Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Dion is a young man who I wish most young men would be like. What an incredible human being. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Buffalo716 said: Hahahah tons of rich kids are spoiled brats and eff ups! They are probably the worst A factor is their parents money tends to help some infractions never get charged, while others get dismissed or plea-bargained away Example: My SIL was in their small home town in southern MO. Two kids driving an expensive car backed out of a parking space, hit two other parked cars, drove off unsteadily. SIL called police and followed them at a safe distance until police pulled them over so she could witness and help anyone else they crashed into. Police arrived, decided they had probable cause for drunk driving, kids wanted a blood draw, so police took them off to the hospital. SIL went on her way. She followed up though. Found out they were never charged. Why? Well somehow on the way to the hospital and the blood draw, the police left them unobserved for 30 minutes, and their parents' lawyer argued with the prosecutor that the drunk driving charge couldn't be proved beyond a reasonable doubt because they could have consumed alcohol during those 30 minutes where the police left them unobserved. I forgot whose kids they were, but it was someone with influence in the local small-town political structure, which one of our LEOs here pointed out to me likely includes hiring and firing influence over the chief of police. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 25 minutes ago, appoo said: He wasn't really talking about the law, but rather wanting everyone to have empathy for the people, and recognize them not as criminals, but as human beings. I don't know anybody who wouldn't have empathy for a father stuck in jail. That's absolutely tragic. Hopefully he can get out soon and get back to his family. If he's saying that a specific law is impacting certain people more than others then maybe gun law education is the answer and he can help spread the word using his platform. What is his proposed solution? Bills fans want to support him and his family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern_Bills Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I definitely get Dawkins point of view and why he sees it that way. More people are definitely in prison for bad decisions than being actual "bad people". Not sure how you separate bad decisions from bad people but there is definitely a difference. I will say anyone who grew up south of the poverty line probably recieved similar treatment in life. Same as growing up north of the poverty line. We always have certain individuals who give everyone a bad name but we will never fix all people, its impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 20 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said: I don't know anybody who wouldn't have empathy for a father stuck in jail. That's absolutely tragic. Hopefully he can get out soon and get back to his family. If he's saying that a specific law is impacting certain people more than others then maybe gun law education is the answer and he can help spread the word using his platform. What is his proposed solution? Bills fans want to support him and his family That wasnt his point though. He was only providing some context that it was a non-violent, victimless crime for which other states do not mandate prison time. So folks can see past the crime and see the person. Doesnt matter whether it was guns, drugs, speeding, shoplifting, etc. Nor did he say it needs a solution. Please dont derail this thread with politics. Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsShredder83 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I hate the state of race relations in this country. We have criminal charges for hate crimes, yet the media skates freely while profiting from widening the racial divide. I dont know what the answer is but it feels too late to fix in my lifetime (im 32). Too much finger pointing, in all directions. (Im staying on the point of the article, hang with me) Im White, Christian, straight and male, and am exhausted from being constantly vilified for it. My feelings on that are just a drop in the bucket compared to how the black community has been treated during this countries existence, then I can absolutely empathize with the frustration they must feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxcar Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Buffalo716 said: Not to get into race but I know a lot of white people who don't have dads either I don't think it's a race thing. It's an upbringing thing and an economic thing It's a statistics thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregthekeg Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Buffalo716 said: Not to get into race but I know a lot of white people who don't have dads either I don't think it's a race thing. It's an upbringing thing and an economic thing OR maybe it is the fact based systematic approach to arresting minorities in this country that is the issue then? OR its the fact here are people in this country that will look down on someone just because of the color of their skin. I mean there are people that were alive when there was nothing wrong with "Whites Only Pools" for goodness sake. Then some of these people also created legislation and laws to target and harass minorities to keep the socio-economic advantages away from them. Not discussing race is not the answer. The old "I don't see color" isn't the answer that works anymore. In the article he discusses empathy, that is what we need. To understand that everyone has a story and that we cannot judge them without knowing their story too. Nobody wants to be poor, everybody wants to be happy and healthy and provide for themselves. I know how lucky I have been in my life to have the social and economic advantages that I have had in my life; and that doesnt make me feel that I am any better than anyone else. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, KDIGGZ said: I don't know anybody who wouldn't have empathy for a father stuck in jail. That's absolutely tragic. Hopefully he can get out soon and get back to his family. If he's saying that a specific law is impacting certain people more than others then maybe gun law education is the answer and he can help spread the word using his platform. What is his proposed solution? Bills fans want to support him and his family I think perhaps Dawkins point is that there are people who don't have empathy for a father stuck in jail, because they see him as "criminals" and less. That sometimes, the fact that someone committed or was involved in a crime, blunts our perception of them as people. I don't think he was looking for answers or solutions to the specific crime his brother is in prison for. There are for sure some people locked up for whom I don't have much empathy, but they would be murderers or repeat violent offenders. My empathy's all for the victims there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiotAct Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 5 years??? Geez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 minute ago, Gregthekeg said: OR maybe it is the fact based systematic approach to arresting minorities in this country that is the issue then? OR its the fact here are people in this country that will look down on someone just because of the color of their skin. I mean there are people that were alive when there was nothing wrong with "Whites Only Pools" for goodness sake. Then some of these people also created legislation and laws to target and harass minorities to keep the socio-economic advantages away from them. Not discussing race is not the answer. The old "I don't see color" isn't the answer that works anymore. In the article he discusses empathy, that is what we need. To understand that everyone has a story and that we cannot judge them without knowing their story too. Nobody wants to be poor, everybody wants to be happy and healthy and provide for themselves. I know how lucky I have been in my life to have the social and economic advantages that I have had in my life; and that doesnt make me feel that I am any better than anyone else. Right there is part of the problem and your answer. For the most part it's not your everyday Joe that is some crazy racist It's actually the people in charge. The people in congress who make those laws and who made them They want to divide us I spent years of my life on the east side of Buffalo and everybody was struggling. The black white Latinos , all of them And if anything it honestly brought them closer because they were all going through the same stuff.. it doesn't matter if Your white or black in the hood when you both are struggling to eat obviously millions of lives can be changed if they had the ability to grow up in a nice Neighborhood 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 i don't really think just having a weapon on you without papers in nj gets you 5 years, at least not practically. im guessing dawin's brother had some other stuff on the rap sheet. we do have some draconian laws here in NJ tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, Richard Noggin said: Important for everyone to read perspectives like this. Especially those hailing from Bills country. I tend to be a rule follower. Break the rules, you get in trouble and lose what you have. It was easy for me, because I had a lot to lose (relatively). I didn’t have to create many opportunities, they were generally expected and given to me. Middle class, not privileged, but lucky. If I had grown up under different circumstances, there’s no telling what kind of desperate mistakes I might have made. I was born “lucky”. This is tricky. We need laws. We need to enforce the laws. (NOT taking a stance on gun laws in particular.) I have plenty of empathy for the people caught in this type of mess, and I can only wish I had an answer. . Edited March 3, 2021 by Augie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Firebaugh Kid Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 4 hours ago, Buffalo716 said: Not to get into race but I know a lot of white people who don't have dads either I don't think it's a race thing. It's an upbringing thing and an economic thing ECONOMIC 100%. It's cyclical poverty. The system is built to breed centuries of families who surrender their lives to broken dreams and government handouts because its "the way". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy1 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 None of us can choose our parents or the zip code we grow up in. Statistically speaking, a lot of where we end up in life is probably determined by those types of things. Now certainly, some people overcome great odds to achieve success but those who got a bad roll of the dice when they were born have a much steeper hill to climb than others. Those of us who were fortunate to get a good upbringing do need empathy for others. Personally, I struggle to have empathy for violent criminals or those who physically or financially harm those less fortunate than themselves. I think people find it easier to be more empathetic with others, similar to themselves. One of the great things about football is that people from all sorts of backgrounds come together and form friendships with teammates who are different than themselves. Where else in society does a cantaloupe farmer hang with guys from the hood? Maybe football players are more empathetic than others because of this dynamic. Definitely sounds like something McDermott would preach. It’s not easy, but empathy for others different from ourselves is a start. It’s in the Bible too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern_Bills Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 21 minutes ago, Andy1 said: None of us can choose our parents or the zip code we grow up in. Statistically speaking, a lot of where we end up in life is probably determined by those types of things. Now certainly, some people overcome great odds to achieve success but those who got a bad roll of the dice when they were born have a much steeper hill to climb than others. Those of us who were fortunate to get a good upbringing do need empathy for others. Personally, I struggle to have empathy for violent criminals or those who physically or financially harm those less fortunate than themselves. I think people find it easier to be more empathetic with others, similar to themselves. One of the great things about football is that people from all sorts of backgrounds come together and form friendships with teammates who are different than themselves. Where else in society does a cantaloupe farmer hang with guys from the hood? Maybe football players are more empathetic than others because of this dynamic. Definitely sounds like something McDermott would preach. It’s not easy, but empathy for others different from ourselves is a start. It’s in the Bible too. Your statement is definitely truthful, usually when we interact with people on a personal level we get along fine. When we have preconceived ideas of people from outside forces things can get silly. Hopefully we eventually learn to talk to our neighbors again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Southern_Bills said: Your statement is definitely truthful, usually when we interact with people on a personal level we get along fine. When we have preconceived ideas of people from outside forces things can get silly. Hopefully we eventually learn to talk to our neighbors again. Sadly, our immediate neighbors too often look and think just like us, whatever that may be. One of the (few) things I like about moving to Atlanta is the diversity. I like being a minority in many places and ways. I’m a rare white guy at some of my favorite places and I get a different perspective into how others live. You think you know, but life is full of surprises. I think I’m better for that. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 (edited) That really sucks for Dion but mostly for his brothers kids !! One thing i caught was that the law must have been made because where they were was a high crime area & i know NJ has some really bad places that i for one wouldn't want to live in but that being said all should not be judged the same for their actions due to the area in which they live or the color of their skin ! I don't know the particulars but it seems if this was Dions brothers first offense that he should be judged as harshly and that he has children that depend on him should have definitely been a consideration in his discipline . Every one makes mistakes and deserves a second chance especially if its a first offense they need to take into consideration the persons past and not just the moment . But when you enter gov't into any thing you can bet it's definitely not going to be right in some way shape or form !! Edited March 3, 2021 by T master Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Very powerful read. It is hard to break the cycle of poverty when the school systems, legal process and then just acceptance in general have decks stacked against you. As Dion said it may take a combination of both hard work and luck to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern_Bills Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 4 hours ago, T master said: That really sucks for Dion but mostly for his brothers kids !! One thing i caught was that the law must have been made because where they were was a high crime area & i know NJ has some really bad places that i for one wouldn't want to live in but that being said all should not be judged the same for their actions due to the area in which they live or the color of their skin ! I don't know the particulars but it seems if this was Dions brothers first offense that he should be judged as harshly and that he has children that depend on him should have definitely been a consideration in his discipline . Every one makes mistakes and deserves a second chance especially if its a first offense they need to take into consideration the persons past and not just the moment . But when you enter gov't into any thing you can bet it's definitely not going to be right in some way shape or form !! Well, he had an unregistered gun which usually means you have prior or you don't want anyone to know you have it, or you just simply didn't do what you was supposed to as far as registering it. Not judging him just saying one of those 3 are true. I live in Alabama so gun laws here are extremely relaxed (which I enjoy) I will avoid anti-gun/pro-gun speak. I grew up on the not so fortunate side so I do understand how easy it is to make a huge mistake just doing what everyone you know does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 On 3/2/2021 at 1:11 PM, DrDawkinstein said: I wont quote from the article. You all can read it and take it how you want. But I will ADD to it. A quote from Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett: “It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.” Love that book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victory Formation Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 On 3/2/2021 at 1:10 PM, Boxcar said: Was the gun charge simply having a gun that wasn't registered to him? If so, 5 year minimum is insane. I get you need to have standards for crimes but that seems like a long time. Not to get political or anything, but a lot of black youth suffer from not having a dad, statistically speaking. This has correlated to a higher likelihood of crime and gang activity. So I have to ask: how does taking a dad away from his kids for 5 years help this situation at all? It seems counter productive, assuming Dion isn't skipping over any important details. A lot of them have to acquire firearms because they’re in fear of their life. I’ve lived in multiple bad neighborhoods, some of my neighbors are drug addicts and hardened criminals. What do you do if you have an offense and a nonviolent offense at that that prohibits you from protecting yourself? Hell, what do you do if you have even a violent offense that prohibits you from protecting yourself when you live in a neighborhood riddled with drugs, violence and gangs? You can get killed in these places over $50 or even because you are wearing the wrong clothes. Have too many valuables in your house? Can get robbed and killed over that too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 On 3/2/2021 at 1:10 PM, Boxcar said: Was the gun charge simply having a gun that wasn't registered to him? If so, 5 year minimum is insane. I get you need to have standards for crimes but that seems like a long time. Not to get political or anything, but a lot of black youth suffer from not having a dad, statistically speaking. This has correlated to a higher likelihood of crime and gang activity. So I have to ask: how does taking a dad away from his kids for 5 years help this situation at all? It seems counter productive, assuming Dion isn't skipping over any important details. My guess is jersey has extreme gun laws because the gun violence is so bad... some of the most violent parts NY and Philly metro area are in Jersey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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