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After making headlines across the country on an essay on the Ferguson decision in November, New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson posted his thoughts on the developments in Baltimore.



On Monday, Watson created an essay-long post on Facebook about "violence reciprocated by violence by the community."

Read His Post Here

"We have major problems as a nation. Yesterday Ferguson burned. Tonight ?#?Baltimore? burns. Tomorrow it will be another city in our homeland," Watson wrote. "Watching the coverage I'm hearing yet another version of a nauseatingly familiar narrative. Violence by police reciprocated by violence by the community, reciprocated by violence by police reciprocated by ... It seems fruitless to continue to analyze, condemn, and respond to these dreadful episodes."

Watson continued to write about the emotions of frustration and anger, and the tension boiling over from residents in Baltimore, along with the struggle to fix a "broken" system.

"We resolve to legislate for education, job creation, and systemic overhaul. These are helpful and definitely needed BUT we have done all of these things ad nauseum and look at us!! Without a change of heart these attempts fail us," he said. "So what can we say? What can we do? Systems are broken because people are broken and if systems are fixed without hearts being changed the result will be a legalistic attempt that will lack long term results."

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Rugby Saint II

We need more players who have high morals and high expectations of their fellow man.

AsylumGuido

Not only is Ben Watson an extremely solid all round TE, but he is an amazing person. This is the very reason why I was so enthused when we first signed him. He is a leader we need to get back to the top.

dam1953

I enjoy his writings and interviews. Too bad he and others like him can't get more exposure. Unfortunately, all one hears in the media is the race baiting vocalizations of Jackson and Sharpton.

Face it, the media promotes the violence.

saintsfan1976

For every Ben Watson, there are 1,000 Peter Kings....

SmashMouth

Precisely the kind of player we need to draft... not the excess baggage kind that appear to have talent, like many in the early part of the draft.

QBREES9

Thank You Ben.

burningmetal

In most of these situations of so called police violence, there is no real evidence that the police did anything out of the ordinary. It's constantly portrayed as the innocent black guy getting shot by the white pig. And when information comes out about why the officer had to defend himself, it is dismissed by much of the public as an excuse.

There have absolutely been instances of legitimate police brutality in the past. The problem is that because something happened before everyone wants to assume it's always the cop at fault. Once this rioting crap started it became a trend. People will jump at any chance to feel sorry for themselves over something that has nothing to do with them.

Violence is a part of this world. It happens to every "race" and in every culture. Is it acceptable? Of course not. But by automatically assuming that you know what happened and rioting over it, you are part of the problem. You are creating tension that doesn't need to be there. Grow up, America.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

hagan714

We have an issue with violence as whole in the country. Both with a badge and without. Yea we need it cleaned up but till the do good-er is put in there place and criminals are treated as such the issue will not change.

All these people miss one fact. this is not a race issue. more whites are killed than blacks. Racism knows no color. till this country stands up for its self it will be the good people of all colors that will pay the price. With a badge or not.

As long as we let Washington and the media sponsor racism of any kind we do not stand a chance. The last thing they want is a united voter base turning out at the polls on election day.

Jobs - I will not get started on Washington and the way they and big business have killed medium size businesses which are your largest employers locally in any city.

Education - then there is an education system that has gone from #1 in the world in the 1960s to the mid 20s among developed countries and into the 30s if you include under developed countries. In a gobal economy we are listed at idiot level employees. - 1000 points of light and no child left behind? All crock of crap.

in a nut shell we voted them in and let them get away with it all for over 40 years. We the voters are to blame. If Washington was run like company would have a board turn over years ago. yet we keep electing the same ones over and over again. Elect people that are willing to work together. Moderates are a thing of the past. Extremist own Washington no matter the party. extreme left extreme right.

Who is to blame for it all? not the cops. The few bad apples will not change a thing. This has to start at the top.

Great post from Ben

But once again it is micro management of the issue at hand. just what Washington wants

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

darksoul35

There is no excuse for the excessive force that the cops use especially when the suspect is already detained. Check the percentages of the race population that's in prison. This has been happening for years the only difference is its now being captured on video. There is no excuse for rioting in your own neighborhood but something has to be done but there is no good solution. I have mixed kids and I know that racism is a huge problem. Before I thought the race card was an excuse but now I see that it is very real.