economic necessity

BFP writing about reality tv shows set in Detroit (and a whole lot more):

"Whole industries *exist* because we believe the racist tropes about black led urban warfare. It makes sense to us as viewers that a majority black city *needs* tankers and massive arsenals to deal with rampant uncontrollable crime.

[...]

And so industries build up around that response (reality television cop shows)–whereby not only does a militarized response to violence *make sense*–but becomes *economically* necessary . *Violence* becomes economically necessary. 

And in the end–Racism (and sexism, heteropatriarchy, nationalism, etc) all become economically necessary. That is, we must continue to believe that the best way to deal with raving black criminals is with paramilitary–and we must continue to believe that there is such a thing as a raving black criminal. How could reality shows like these exist otherwise?

Violence and militarized responses to violence will pay for more than one child’s college education and make more than one person’s house payment–and as such, *racism* (and sexism, heteropatriarchy, nationalism, etc) will pay for more than one child’s college education and make more than one person’s house payment.

In city where foreclosures are rampant and 40 % of the people are unemployed–what would *you* choose? Getting paid to be on a show about violent (black) Detroit, or sitting in a crowded room with social justice community organizers doing a skill share?"