28, April 2016 Black Lives do Matter
President Obama displayed uncharacteristic
insensitivity in criticizing the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. He urged
African-Americans to ‘work within the system and cease shouting’. Perhaps, this
admonition came when one prominent member encountered the Clintons and demanded
an apology for using the derogatory term ‘super predators’. That term could
more aptly describe rogue cops that prey on poor African-Americans hurling
racial epithets with guns blazing. Every 36 hours, a black person is killed by a police officer. This
year a staggering 1136 blacks have been killed by police officers. Comprising
only 2% of the total US
population, African American males between the ages of 15 and 34 accounts for than
15% of all deaths logged this year by an ongoing investigation into the use of
deadly force by police. The rate of police-involved deaths was five times
higher than for white men of the same age. Specific examples are too numerous
to mention. However, the tragic death of Tamir Rice, a 12 year old African-American fatally shot by
police within two seconds on arrival, is especially disturbing. When Tamir’s
14-year-old sister rushed to her brother’s side she was thrown to the ground
and handcuffed. No effort was made to administer first aid to Tamir.
African-Americans have tried to seek justice within the system to no avail.
President Obama’s high office has insulated his family from the harsh realities
confronting his brothers and sisters. He owes Black Lives Matter an
unconditional apology.
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