Can't believe it!

I have been asked why there were no protests last year when a black Minnesota policeman shot and killed a white woman last year who had approached him for help.
Perhaps it didn't matter because she wasn't American.

He, at least, was convicted of manslaughter and murder and is in prison.

This policeman should also face the justice system.

I have just got in from work, so gave just caught up on this thread where I left off.
I cannot believe some of the racist remarks I have seen on here.
My parners son drove in America, watched his speed, and was pulled over. He was was accused of speeding, and the officers were goady.
I am embarrassed at what 2 posters have written and one in particular needs to watch the footage again and apologise for getting it so wrong.

David,
The cop is being charged with 3rd degree murder. Not manslaughter. Because it was murder.

Jennifer,

Targeting A whole sub section of the population because of a few bad apples is terrible, and I can’t believe you are saying it like it’s a perfectly normal thing.

Lynne,
Please read some books and educate yourself on white fragility. Please.

You're right Sue.
We in Europe should remember that it was from our African colonies that these poor 'slaves' were bought by American landowners, mostly from Europe themselves, to work on their cotton fields in America.
Now their descendants are trying to assert their rights to part of America's current prosperity. Why not?
As a Jew, we have also been persecuted when things go wrong but then we can pass ourselves off as gentiles
We haven't got the 'handicap' of dark skins.
Then what about the Chinese, the Mexicans etc?

American security forces have also begun targeting journalists during the riots. Do you also think that is right, JenniferEccles? Are journalists also prone to crime?

If it is the case that one section of society seems criminalised at a higher rate than others then surely we should be looking at understanding why that is. Most people with an inkling of American history will, of course, know full well what has led to their society is so deeply divided.

Our son was a bit lively when he was a teenager particularly where his car was concerned, and yes he was stopped by the police on more than one occasion ! Our daughter was never stopped. I think young men do tend to draw adverse attention to themselves, usually with one eye on the latest girlfriend! He is now a respectable, responsible, loving 55 year old who can't quite believe that he once behaved so irresponsibly!

Jennifer, African Americans are frequently pulled over for being African American- Once pulled over, the officer provokes with intimidation tactics, false accusations, excessive questioning and button pushing- They'll radio in that they need back up and 2 other cruisers show up- They know full well that what they are doing is purposeful, to attempt to make the driver frightened and then accuse them of suspicious behavior-

The same type of dynamic plays out on this site day in and day out- Someone purposely types something ignorant to provoke a response - Once a response is gotten back up shows up, all using the same tactics as cops and handled by the site admins in the same manner as any American headquarters or precinct chief-

By the way I didn’t say it is right to target people according to their skin colour, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.

Dreadful for the majority of law abiding citizens of course.

Maybe there was SueDomin!!

He had never done anything wrong. I think it was just the fact he was a teenage lad out in his old banger! My girls were never stopped and still tease him about it. He’s now a perfectly respectable 40 year old with a family and mortgage!

None of my children has ever been stopped by police while in their car, JenniferEccles. Maybe it was something else about your son that raised suspicions.

I actually cannot believe people here think it’s fine to target people simply because of their skin colour.

I'm inclined to agree that riots are not the answer, Rosina, it causes a Catch 22 situation.

Well it’s inevitable that they would isn’t it?

If the police know that certain sectors of the population, (whether it be an age group or ethnic group) are more likely than others to commit crimes they are bound to check that group more thoroughly than others in, say, stop and search operations.

My son for instance, when he first passed his driving test and was out in his car in the evenings, would often be stopped by police asking to see his driving licence.

He wasn’t too happy about it but understood it was his age rather than anything else, so he accepted it !

Than you for starting the thread phoenix.

It is being talked about on social media. Perhaps the American police thought everyone was so preoccupied with COVID19 that one more death of a black person would pass by unnoticed.
They are wrong because this was a deliberate killing and all for the sake of $20. It is institutionalised racism, rife in some states of America and it will continue until there is a change of Government.

Police target sectors of society which experience tells them are the most likely group to commit crimes.

Oh Jennifer.

That's just awful

The police should not be 'targeting' any section of society!

A picture says a thousand words.

How about highlighting a video showing black violence to police officers?

Police target sectors of society which experience tells them are the most likely group to commit crimes.

If blacks are disproportionately targeted, you have your answer.

Utterly shocking, and let us hope that justice will play out the right way and give the victim's family some feeling of a suitable punishment having been meted out to a violent thug who should never have been allowed to have such power over others.
That said, I am at a complete loss to see how smashing up the city, stealing from innocent people, looting and burning cars and attacking others is helping, or is in any way going to get public opinion moving in the right way. What does this kind of reaction achieve?

Absolutely disgraceful behaviour, but it was just 2011 when WE had riots following alterations between young black youngsters and the police, and we have had examples of police using unacceptable force and aggression within minority communities. Never acceptable.

3 ‘brothers’

This very short video says it all.

Thank goodness that only a tiny minority on her show their latent racism. Very encouraging that so many condemn the murder of this young man. And yes, he is being charged with 3rd degree murder at the moment.

There is a video on twitter showing police violence against black people.

You could easily replace it with a video of the SS and violence against Jews in Germany.

I think police needed to have balanced personalities- They need to be the type of people that you want to hug-

David, when US police officers die, they're honored- The hundreds of people they kill yearly are not-

They're a group of humans who take an oath protect and serve the public- That's it-

But they consider themselves privileged, better than the citizens they've taken an oath to protect and they collectively use a variety of tactics to protect that status, one of which is to deflect accountability-

When sick people witness that power play dynamic, they aspire to enter the academy and become law enforcement officers- And do-

There is a toddler next door to me with his baby sibling.

They are happily and innocently playing in their garden paddling pool. Full of the wonder of life, let’s hope life is kind and good to them.
The toddler a dear child, very sensitive and already appears to have an empathy beyond his years.

They are black and there are posters on here who think the lesser of them because they are black.

We know that they will have obstacles to face that our white grandchildren will never have to face. That the sensitive child will face hate because his skin colour is different to mine.

Listening to their happy chatter I could weep.

About Floyd saying he couldn't breathe, obviously that was not meant literally. Anyone in that situation would not be saying Officer I'm having difficulty breathing with your knee on my neck. One would say as he did "I can't breathe"
Dreadful behaviour from men supposedly upholding the law.