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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumstulipsandroses
(5,120 posts)Depressing because this is every day reality for so many. Mr. Butler was able to maintain his cool. But when you deal with this harassment and terrorism, numerous times over, one day you may lose your cool. Then you become " angry, threatening" - or run because today you do not feel like being harassed, which is then justification for violence against you.
Then the story is told to the public that you were threatening and the officers feared for their life. The public has swallowed that hook line and sinker for far too damn long.
BComplex
(8,017 posts)Intentionally
cilla4progress
(24,708 posts)Evil has a way of giving good a good run for its money.
When did this happen to Prof. Butler? Sorry...didn't have time to watch clip.
Reminds me of the incident in 2009 where AA Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested by Cambridge MA PD "breaking into" HIS OWN HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SMH
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/21/henry-louis-gates-jr-arrest-harvard
BComplex
(8,017 posts)And frightening.
sop
(10,090 posts)"I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that. But I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home, and, number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there's a long history in this country of African Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately."
A huge media uproar immediately ensued. Police organizations all across the country, rank and file cops and the GOP viciously attacked Obama's comments, and his handling of the matter. Reverend Jeremiah Wright's "God Damn America" sermon was cited as proof that Obsma was anti-American.
As a result of all the media attacks, and the police unions accusing him of being anti-police, Obama had to issue another public statement, apologizing for his comments and saying he hoped the situation could become a "teachable moment". Later President Obama held that famous "beer summit," with both the cop and Professor Gates, on the White House lawn, in full view of the corporate media cameras.
I remember.
I am so damned pissed right now.
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,686 posts)Being a Prosecute himself, he is someone not to be trifle with.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)A person is minding his own business, he should not have been bothered.
bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)H2O Man
(73,505 posts)in2herbs
(2,944 posts)the police to protect our rights. Their jobs are not the same.
oasis
(49,317 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)he knew what to do==
however, how many do not know what to do?