Another police involved shooting of a Black male. More coverage of an African-American community being destroyed by African-Americans accompanied by the usual deflection of blaming “systematic racism” for the atrocities.
This time, the chaos happened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when law enforcement officers shot and killed an armed man. Protesters burned six businesses, including a gas station, and threw rocks at police, leaving four officers injured, seven police vehicles damaged and 17 people arrested.
According to reports, 23-year-old Sylville K. Smith and another person were driving through a north-side neighborhood and were pulled over by police. Both persons fled the car and a footchase ensued. It ended when an officer shot Smith after ordering him to put down his gun.
In all fairness, it is reasonable to question the police version of the incident given that there is a proven track record of killing unarmed black males and authorities trying to cover up evidence in support of their law enforcement officers but my complaint focuses more on the actions some of my African-American brothers and sisters think are justified.
I grew up in Chicago, Illinois on the South side. I lived in the Robert Taylor Homes (otherwise known as the “projects”) in the early 1960’s when true segregation and racism was common. Like many others, my parents and grandparents caught the brunt of the extreme prejudices that existed and fought to make sure the next generation would have better opportunities than they had.
My parents stressed a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King’s ” I Have A Dream” speech:
” I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
I live by that philosophy even today but when I see violent protests in our neighorhoods, another King quote comes to mind:
” Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.”
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