America is at a crossroads on the issue of race. Two unarmed black males are dead within two days at the hands of police. The terrorist Ahmad Rahami in New York City injured 29 people in a attempted bombing, but is still alive. Let’s not forget he also shot at the cops when being apprehended. African American Terence Crutcher was shoot and killed by Tulsa, OK cop Betty Shelby while his hands were in the air. The man’s vehicle stalled in the road and he did not pose a threat to officers. Multiple police cameras, including ones mounted in squad cars and in a helicopter, captured the Crutcher shooting on tape. In the video, Crutcher can be seen with his hands raised above his head prior to his death.
Why are African Americans profiled as trouble makers? In footage from the police helicopter, which circled in the sky above the car, the pilot can be heard describing Crutcher as a “bad dude.” Crutcher is already pre-judged as if he is a instant threat. All this means is that some officers automatically enter a situation when an African American is being question the officer has an intent to shoot. I didn’t know being tall, black, and big fits the criteria for being a “bad dude”.
Of course the police department are going to make excuses for the shooting. The lawyer for officer Shelby has stated Mr. Crutcher was high on PCP and he tried to reach in the driver window. Seriously stop with the excuses. His window has up and hands in the air. Let’s review Crutcher was unarmed, he did not charge the officers, his hands were in the air and he did not reach for a weapon. He is shoot and killed in cold blood.
In Charlotte, police went to serve a warrant Tuesday and shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott in the parking lot of The Village at College Downs apartment complex. Scott was not the man listed on the warrant. A gun he was holding was found at the scene, police said. The Scott family told CNN that Scott was a father of seven and was sitting in the car reading a book when officers arrived on the scene. This set off protest thru the night and people demanding justice.
When are black lives going to matter? Why is there always a rush to judgement when comes to African Americans? We matter, this our country too. We helped make America what it is today, one of the most powerful nations in the world. African Americans deserve the same fair and equal treatment under the law.
