Another Black Man Killed By Police

I would think police officers would want to speak out because this directly affects them.

Who bill Clinton sleeps with, for example, doesn't affect or concern me. I have an opinion on it, sure, but wondering if something horrible will happen to one of my boys well that just keeps me up at night. So I'm definitely going to scream about it.

I'm speaking about things that *do* affect us all, like denouncing terrorism or other such things.  I have seen people here on this board (well, mainly the previous board) who didn't feel that any member of a group causing trouble or killing people should be required to "speak out".  So why here?  Why 'must' honest cops speak out in order to satisfy people here?

Perhaps I'm reading it wrong, but the impression i got was the poster was saying her husband (who I am assuming is a cop) comes home every night with physical damage due to the actions of other people.  I read it that it's just blind luck that her husband isn't killed but that even so, he doesn't come home unscathed.  I don't see it as a deflection as much as stating what an honest cop faces out on the streets every day.

I didn't read the comment from @leowife that way at all.  I don't think she was trivializing death of these two men or deflecting.  I don't think we'll make inroads in improving the relationship between LEO and citizens until we can be forthright and honest about what's happening.  As a white woman, I don't pretend to understand racial profiling, but I do listen when people talk about fearing for their children "driving while black."  That's wrong, and the more we humanize and talk about these incidents as real people - the more I think things will improve.  


I don't think there's any question that many LEOs and their families fear for their safety every single day.  Talking about the violence between LEOs and their communities doesn't trivialize this or any other incident.  How are we supporting them, or determining that they're beyond capable of doing their job and are now at a greater risk to their communities their duty is to protect.

I'm so, but I don't see you as wanting to do anything but claim that it's the cops at fault. Cops are leery of blacks for good reason also. In fact, many LEO are scared to go into certain black communities because of the amount of violence and killing in those areas.

By insisting that only one side of the scenario is proper to speak of, you perpetuate the discord.  The sad reality is that violence is an all-to-common occurance in urban black communities. (far more blacks are murdered by other blacks than are murdered by LEO; far more). This ends up creating a hostile environment where everyone acts first and thinks later.  I'm not saying the cops here were right but I think the entire issue has to be addressed rather than merely focusing on the cops who act inappropriately.

You and I are going to have to agree to disagree. I think all people should speak up when they see wrong-doing. Heck, I can't remember how many people justified their attacks on Rainbowscrapper with the words "I have to speak up or my silence is an indication that I'm complicit".

IMO, if you make demands on one about speaking up, then the same holds true for all. I don't pick and choose who I feel should speak out against injustice and who gets a pass.

Are you referring to me? That is entirely untrue. I have a SWAT officer in my family and my nephews cousin just shot an armed black kid in my town a few weeks ago. I support officers, and I do it with action not just words. I've taken the precinct good on Christmas, I headed my community's blockwatch until recently moving.

Your statement about black on black shootings is derailing the intent of this thread. Far more people are murdered by whites than blacks. But they don't get the same profiling, mistrust, and just flat out ignorant fear.

I do think a discussion should occur regarding ways to improve community relations, but here isn't the time or place.

Wait...I have seen plenty of Muslims speak out against specific attacks and terrorism in general. On the news shows, standing with other religious leaders, at news conferences with city leaders, world leaders of Muslim countries... Seriously, there have been so many Muslims speaking out. 

It's not deflection it's an issue from both sides. Until it addressed from both sides it will never be solved.
Why should my husband be shot, stabbed and beat by a person breaking the law. Yes, he knew 100% what he was getting into and before you say it's his choice...if he didn't choose that whom would protect and serve.
LEO's are underpaid, overworked and under valued. Many of the good officers are leaving the profession which leaves a void.
Hiring, pay, training and support would be a good way to start working on issues. But working on those issues will never fix society's lack of decency.
If the officer is found guilty then wonderful, if he broke the law he needs to be punshied. I've never said in anything that all LEO are 100%, I've only said I reserve judgement untill all the facts are given.

What do you do in your community to bring change? Our departments and community engage in dozens of ways to bridge the gap and open communication.
Stop attacking and start doing.

 I understand to a point how people are upset, what I don't understand is the black community constantly blaming white people for their problems. I think people would be more willing to try and understand if it wasn't constantly a blame game. The blame game makes some people instantly go in defense mode. 93% of blacks are killed by other blacks but we never hear much about that. You guys can jump on this all you want but it's the truth. 

Some people on here mentioned how they have to tell their children about the mean white man but most of it is done by their own people. I don't know what happened in the 2 different shootings but if the cops are guilty then I hope they go to jail. But speak up for the rest of the 93% too. You know yourself when you are constantly blamed for something you had nothing to do with it makes most people defensive.

What a circuitous argument. if you don't know what happened then why do you feel the need to comment?

You are not swaying anyone to your point of view, Peace Sign. Your attacks on anyone here who doesn't blame the "whites" prove her point that " I think people would be more willing to try and understand if it wasn't constantly a blame game."

I don't recall responding directly to you about anything. I was talking about blame. How do you know what happened? How do you know if the police are "guilty" that they were not just shitty police officers, why does it have to be white vs. black. But if you want to talk white vs. black then let's look at statistics. 

That's the point, you don't know. None of us do. There will be more evidence besides what you or any of us think about the video. There's so much more to know, that we don't know. You can look at the video and think, "from what I can tell, it looks like the cops are guilty as hell" but without the other necessary evidence, you can't make an INFORMED opinion. And you (general you) can't get angry at other people because they realize this.