Anger & Respect. Are the two candidates going to mention Sean Bell?

[NJObamaWoman]

Yeah I'm bringing up race today because I'm angry. Well today Sean Bell's killers were acquitted. This is all over black media right now. What I want to know is whether our two candidates will talk about this and RACE in America? See I'm angry because I don't think anyone is going to talk about this. Barack if he does mention this will be blasted by the media that he's either against cops or uncaring to the plight of blacks in this country. While I feel HRC wont even mention it at all. Even though this is big news in her own state.

I don't want anymore debates. You people hear are calling each other names over this issue but fail to realize that nothing is resolved over these debates. If this party doesn't start speaking out than we are doomed. This IMHO is HRC's moment if she wants to heal the wounds between her and the black community I feel she needs to speak NOW.


These are my crazy mixed up feelings. Everyones welcome to reply because I'm interested in hearing how everyone feels today.

[rucky]

1. I'm not familiar with this story.

Could you post some links?

[mcctatas]

3. ...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24305660

[NJObamaWoman]

6. read this blog. They are really good in terms of Black news & politics

http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/

[Coexist]

2. I think Sean Bell's killer's acquittal saya a lot of race in America

and should be discussed. Openly and in depth.

[NJObamaWoman]

4. Its sad really. I come from a family of cops and even they said its wrong

50 Shots= Not Guilty? My heart goes out to the wife. Being black in American is a bitch. I can't support this crap no more. I'm tired of just getting over things. I want action and resolution.

[unpossibles]

5. seriously. especially with 31 shots from one person

I think. I read it this morning, so my number may be slightly off.

But that is crazy.

[mcctatas]

7. that officer had to reload more than once...

that alone speaks volumes!

[NJObamaWoman]

9. Given a free pass because they are cops

[NJObamaWoman]

8. Being a black man at night means police can kill you and get away with it

in this country.

[RoadRage]

10. Were the 3 cops who shot him all white?

I couldn't tell from the story on CNN.. the showed 3 faces - 1 white, 2 black. I didn't know if those were the cops, or the victims.

I only ask because the backlash always seems to be higher if it's White cops shooting black victims. If 2 of the cops were also black, that would seem to take away a small portion of the racism issue - and leave it as a very horrible over-zealous police issue.

Thanks for any clarification.

[Crabby Appleton]

12. That was the 3 cops, 1 white, 2 black. nt

[graycem]

13. You're right..

there was 1 white officer, and 2 were black. But I still think it speaks to racism. What if the victim had been white? In another part of town? I've seen some black people hold the same stereotypical beliefs against blacks that white people do. From different perspectives of course, but stereotypes cause prejudice, I think. Just my opinion. And there's on way they can justify that many shots on 1 single person. It's a very despicable outcome.

[RoadRage]

22. I'm not at all justifying it..

I think it's horrible.. from what I understand, the victims didn't have any sort of weapon, and the charges that they were trying to "run over" one of the officers were debunked by several witness (who were deemed to be un-trustworthy??).

I think this is a case of horrible police misconduct.. cops on (yet another) power high who think that they can do whatever they want to innocent citizens.

But, I think the race of the officers does make a difference. I think it could make the difference between what happened in LA with Rodney King, and this being deeper look into police brutality.

Honestly, I think Police Brutality becomes the focus of this, not racism - which might be better. Cops of all skin colors seem to think that they're above the law. Sadly, these 3 were able to get away with it.

[graycem]

23. Oh no, I didn't mean to disagree

with you, or discount your point... because when I first saw their pictures, it gave me a little bit of a pause too.

But then I asked myself that question. What if it had been in a different neighborhood? What if the victim were white? I think you're absolutely right about overzealous police, but I still think they would've shown a bit more restraint if the victim had been white.

[graycem]

11. I was ALMOST shocked...

until I heard the reporter saying that they called in something like 100 police before they announced the verdict, just in case.. that in itself is disgusting. They have to call in an army of police "in case the blacks go crazy." And that stupid reporter sitting there arguing the reason behind 51 shots...unfreakingbelievable.

[dmallind]

14. Make your mind up

Do you want to talk about race in America or do you NOT want debates?

The only way to reconcile the two is to assume that you wnat to hear from those who agree with you but not those who do not.

[NJObamaWoman]

18. No darling I want Action. My mind is made up

I don't want any more debates because I think we've had enough already. But I'm fair to the people who have yet to cast a vote for our nominee. Therefore I only want debates for those people so they can hear our nominees. But I don't want anymore debates that are totally BS. I want real discussion about real issues that I and other americans face.

[dmallind]

21. sorry sweetcheeks then you don't want to talk about race after all

You just want to preach to those who agree. Go nuts if you like. It hasn't done that much so far but more power to you if you think you can change that.

[stray cat]

15. It hurt the presecution case that all of the non-police witnesses had criminal records

It was a trial with the judge as jury and federal charges are being weighed.

[NJObamaWoman]

19. their actions speak for itself. I don't care how bad the witnesses are

50 shots is a no no.

[Barack_America]

16. Obama addressing this now on CNN. n/t

[Barack_America]

17. "We need to make sure this doesn't happen again"...

but, "Expressing anger over this through violence would be counterproductive".

To paraphrase.

[NJObamaWoman]

20. thanks for the recap. I'm at work