Many Detroiters know more than they want to about how frustration and anger can explode into urban unrest.

That's especially true of those born before generations were labeled with end-of-alphabet letters. Reactions to Baltimore's fires, looting and vandalism are being posted by social media users who smelled the smoke here in July 1967, or know about it from those who did.


"An uprising is an act of resistance against state-sanctioned violence and oppression," posts Sam Riddle of Detroit. (CNN photo by Brian Todd)

Here's a sampling from Facebook, plus a tweet. We welcome your perspective to in the comments area at the end.

► "Justice and peace:" Work for justice and peace. We deserve both. -- Kim Trent, WSU Board of Governors

► "Respectability politics won't save you:" The only time certain Negroes ever speak out is to mischaracterize, ridicule, chastise and condemn black folks who have the courage to fight back. Quit allowing for these fake-ass dichotomies between "good" protesters vs. "bad" protesters. If you're more worried about that than you are about the reasons why our people are taking to the streets in the first place -- whether violently or in peace -- then we have no cause to value a damn thing you have to say. Your respectability politics will not save you. -- Darrell Dawsey, ACLU of Michigan communications director

► "We have risen:" Some people are posting online will what happened in Baltimore occur in Detroit? I think not because we have risen somewhat from the ashes of 1967 and are experiencing a rebirth. We just need to communicate and work together. -- Peter Boykin

► Chief James Craig praised: The Detroit police chief doesn't wait to voice his concerns and updates when something happens in the city -- unlike Baltimore officials. -- Jared Wadley, Ann Arbor

► Have we "come so far?" Seeing Baltimore burn last night, I couldn't help but think about Detroit in 1967 -- being down at my father's bar at Grand River and 14th Street the Sunday morning it began, not so far from where the riots started. Later, we all saw the city go up in smoke. It seems like we've come so far in those 48 years, yet it seems we're dealing with some of the exact same issues. Sad. -- Allan Lengel, Deadline editor        

► "Who is the criminal?" An uprising is an act of resistance against state-sanctioned violence and oppression. . . . Really, WHO is the criminal? -- Sam Riddle, public affairs commentator 

► "Perspective is lacking:" The perception is bad police are everywhere and on the rise. First, I would say that bad people, in any profession, should be held accountable -- and that includes police. Now for perspective that is lacking: There are 800,000 or so police officers in this country. So, if .0001 of those do something wrong, it is about 80 people. So while this is a very very low percentage, if one is caught on an ever-present camera it is likely to replayed over and over for days until the next bad footage is available. This creates the perception it is rampant and growing. Again, when you have bad actions, hold people accountable. But things must be kept in perspective." -- Mike Bouchard, Oakland County sheriff

► "When the smoke clears ..." When the smoke clears, those same people have to go to their homes next to the burned out structures, the exact same powers that be that put you in that situation are still in power. Things are much the same or worse with this method. -- Addie Wilson, Detroit