This one was on film

The word just came down that the officer, it should be officers, involved in the death of Eric Garner will not have to face justice. I would like to say that I am surprised by this ruling, but I am not. This story has been played out too many times. The recent decision in Ferguson not to indict Officer Wilson, the death of 12 year old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, the murder of Akai Gurley in a Brooklyn stairwell while coming home with his family is a clear indication that police in the United States are out of control. It is also an indication that large sections of the public does not care about these injustices if it does not impact their own communities.

President Obama has called for police throughout the nation to wear body cameras in the hopes of restoring public trust. I am not Continue reading “This one was on film”

No Justice, No Peace

This song is over twenty years old, and sadly in light of grand jury decision in Ferguson, it is even more relevant today. The way Michael Brown was killed is one thing, but the way the entire case has been handled from the beginning is like having the system stick a gigantic thumb in the eye of the black community:

1. Police and paramedics let Michael Brown’s body lay in the street for hours.
2. Officer Darren Wilson was not arrested, or even forced to give a public statement on the incident.
3. The prosecutor Continue reading “No Justice, No Peace”