USA Today reported
FERGUSON, MO. — Attorney General Eric Holder flew to Ferguson, Mo., on Wednesday as the nation's chief law enforcement officer leading an investigation into a police shooting.
He also arrived as an African-American who said he understands the racial tensions that have fueled days of protests that have been marred by violence and mass arrests since the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
"I am the Attorney General of the United States, but I am also a black man," Holder told Ferguson residents at a community meeting. "I can remember being stopped on the New Jersey turnpike on two occasions and accused of speeding. Pulled over. ... 'Let me search your car' ... Go through the trunk of my car, look under the seats and all this kind of stuff. I remember how humiliating that was and how angry I was and the impact it had on me."
What a beautiful example of someone understanding the reality of unspeakable acts of violence and saying something about the situation. A trend amongst police and people of color; murder is not secret to anyone. From the people arrested by police that "disappeared" years ago to those who repeatedly are harassed and their last moments speaking the truth " I can't breathe" to those who are riddled with bullets without cause.
RIP Eric Garner, Ezell Ford, and the many others that suffered your same fate.
Reflection- Christopher Dorner, former police officer with the LAPD, (who snapped) stated in his manifesto
KTLA reported February 12, 2013, The Disturbing Manifesto of Christopher Dorner
"I’m not an aspiring rapper, I’m not a gang member, I’m not a dope dealer, I don’t have multiple babies momma’s. I am an American by choice, I am a son, I am a brother, I am a military service member, I am a man who has lost complete faith in the system............."
The manifesto of Christopher Dorner was filled with insight into the world of the blue shield:
"From 2/05 to 1/09 I saw some of the most vile things humans can inflict on others as a police officer in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the streets of LA. It was in the confounds of LAPD police stations and shops (cruisers). Those Caucasian officers who join South Bureau divisions (77th,SW,SE, an Harbor) with the sole intent to victimize minorities who are uneducated, and unaware of criminal law, civil law, and civil rights. You prefer the South bureau because a use of force/deadly force is likely and the individual you use UOF on will likely not report it."
There are no easy answers to fix this situation. There are good/great police officers that put their lives on the line everyday to serve and protect. They are the reason we can sleep easy at night knowing there is someone out there to tactically administer justice. There is also a history of police brutality resulting in the termination of lives before their time. There are too many wives and mothers crying tears and experiencing pain that can not be comforted. You can't argue self defense when shooting people in the back or several officers utilized to arrest one person.
"We will not go Back" a march scheduled in NY August 23rd is being held regarding the death of Eric Garner.
One thing is for sure there has to be a change and the change starts with recognizing, although you may not respect/like/fear a group of people, to decide to end lives at will is not an option. Every person is someone's son, daughter, mother, father, husband, wife, and a part of the human race.
As children we learned and sung songs that unfortunately does not hold true in society as adults. "Red or yellow, black or white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world." As teenagers and adults we understand and realize that racism and the blue shield can be a deadly combination.
