Despite video evidence of his killing,the case ended in a mistrial. It is a reminder that American law simply does not value black lifeLike most black people I know, I wasn’t particularly surprised that a jury was unable to convict white South Carolina police officer Michael Slager for killing Walter Scott, or despite shooting him multiple times in the back and on video. The people I know who live in black and brown skin were also relatively unsurprised to learn final week that a white man in Louisiana,Ronald Gasser, was initially released from custody without charges after shooting and killing former NFL player Joe McKnight. He was charged with manslaughter on Tuesday.
Are we hurt by news of tragedies like Scott’s killing and a lack of justice for it? Yes. Are we unhappy to know Joe McKnight’s killer was walking around free after the shooting? Of course. Humiliated to know that Gasser could possess emboldened other people to shoot black men with impunity? Very much so. Related: George Zimmerman's gun auction is an ugly symbol of racism | Steven W Thrasher Related: Tamir Rice was killed by white America's irrational fear of black boys | Steven W Thrasher Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com