Since when has the phrase, "they deserved it," come into play when it comes to justice?

In fact, growing up, I got into plenty of fights because, "they deserved it." However, the fact that somebody DESERVED a kicked in the shin doesn't change that there are consequences to kicking somebody in the shin.

That is how I eventually I learned that, "you can't solve your problems with violence."

The fact that there is obvious racism in the town makes escalating vocal racism into physical violence and even WORSE idea...

Had they beaten that kid to death, it could've triggered a huge anti-african american backlash... i mean if you've got a town that has kids that hang up nooses every time a black kid sits on their turf are you really goign to single out the idea of a full out race riot? One that could've resulted in an unquantifiable amount of violence? Would that have solved this whole civil rights issue? The answer is no. The reason for that is that if you look historically, civil rights haven't been gained through violence. Rosa Parks didn't punch the guy until he couldn't stand up anymore for telling her to get up out of her seat.

The entire problem is if you beat up one racist, chances are you'll give birth to ten more racists.

It's a lesson that's very simple, that's age old, violence predicates more violence. Until we can all agree on that, we're still going to need laws so that people think twice before they turn metaphysical differences into stitches

The reason these boys should be punished for the crimes they commited is because they commited those crimes. That's the way law works. Justice is Blind. Unfortunately, those who uphold justice can't be given the same credit... This is why elections aren't held based on bare knuckle boxing matches. The problem here is that there aren't any Jim Crowe laws that need to be overturned. The laws that these protests want overturned are there to protect EVERYONE from... well... beatings...

What Mr. Ford does in this article is play Devil's Advocate to a cause that so many are afraid to voice dissent over out of fear of being labeled racist.

The most important detail of this article is the obvious problem caused by social-segregation, something that one of the most outspoken protestors of this whole ordeal, Al Sharpton, supports...

It points out an obvious contradiction. Basically, you can't end voluntary segregation when you yourself volunteered to be segregated.

If equality is demanded, then demand equality. If justice is demanded, demand to bring justice to those kids who were able to get away with their crimes based on race. Not those who didn't fully think of the repercussions of violence.