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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums17 Honest Thoughts From a Black Man After Watching That Walter Scott Video
By Darnell L. Moore April 07, 2015
1. On Saturday, Michael T. Slager, a white police officer from North Charleston, South Carolina, fired eight shots into the back of an unarmed black man named Walter Scott. The attack was caught on video.
2. This is a good thing, people say. But another black family may forever be haunted by the last few minutes of their loved one's life cut short by none other than the "law" that was meant to protect him.
3. On Tuesday, Slager was charged with murder.
4. This is justice, people say. But legal charges and bloated prison cells can never make up for the loss of black lives. Death is not justice. Black people alive is.
5. Since late last summer, we have marched, protested and sung under the banner #BlackLivesMatter, because some in this country still don't believe they do.
6. This is progress, people say. But after all this time and all these songs, and all these chants we still have failed to convince everyone that while "All Lives Matter," all lives are not disproportionately ended by police violence. Black lives are, so often that it's hard to stomach all this evidence of black people being ridiculed, beaten, choked, tasered or shot by police as it surfaces, over and over again. And every time I am forced to watch another act of police abuse, I am reminded that body cams and smart phones are no match for a justice system that seems to almost always grant police impunity.
7. Tuesday, the day this latest video of a black man being killed in broad daylight by a white police officer broadly surfaced, is the same day many in Ferguson, Missouri have been on the streets encouraging neighbors to get out and vote.
*snip*
16. Now is time for change, people say. This is a 21st-century American tragedy of epic proportions. None of this should be normal.
17. And yet, it already is.
The rest is at the link: http://mic.com/articles/114888/17-honest-thoughts-from-a-black-man-after-watching-that-walter-scott-video
The video is also at the link.
My heart is broken.....again. I weep for these families; I fear for my brothers, my nephews. No words could fully convey how fucking sick of this shit I am. What's worse, is I know it's a gazillion times worse for the black community and for that I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, help more or at least take some of the pain from you.
South Carolina is my state, so this white guy hurts even more than the last time. Somewhere through my shock and shame, Mr. Scott and his family and friends and my black countrymen are all very much in my thoughts and prayers.
Phentex
(16,330 posts)This is a truly great piece. Thank you for sharing it.
THINGS HAVE GOT TO CHANGE!!!!!
brer cat
(24,401 posts)While we all will applaud if the officer is convicted, it does not bring back a single life. That is the tragedy and the great American loss.
dorkzilla
(5,141 posts)It seems that is the only way well change this; well have to meet their point and shoot with our own version. When their prison sentences keep mounting theyll think twice.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Stop killing. Stop killing now. Please, Stop killing now.
democrank
(11,052 posts)need the lights to shine on their despicable deeds.
DesMoinesDem
(1,569 posts)blackspade
(10,056 posts)No comment on the substance?
F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)Unnecessary and rude. That OP spoke the truth.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)blackspade
(10,056 posts)F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)Not much else to say that hasn't been said over and over again. Damn.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)I am surprised he was charged with murder, but now let's see if a jury lets the cop walk. Putting the cop in jail would send a clear signal. And we need police cameras, not military weapons, everywhere. We need to police the police. And we need to teach everyone how to stream the video so cops can't confiscate it. They are out of control and because their commanders are just as corrupt, the public needs to be in charge now.
And end the war on drugs which is the justification for all of it.