I live in St. Paul, across the Mississippi River from Minneapolis. [View all]

[MineralMan]

I was horrified by the video of one white policeman killing a black man while three other police officers stood by and did nothing. I am an old white man. I recognize the incredible amount of privilege I have for simply being an old white man.

Here's my take on the looting and burning that took place last night in Minneapolis. I watched it live on YouTube, as recorded by many people on their cell phones. I watched more of it this morning on the local and national news. I understand why it happened. Apparently, the white powers that be do not understand it.

Had the four police officers been arrested immediately and jailed for their part in the murder of that black man, the ensuing rioting probably would not have taken place. Inaction on the part of authorities after the deliberate killing of a black man in handcuffs, and the failure to immediately arrest all involved in that death played a pivotal role in inciting people who have no recourse against police killings to do seemingly unrelated acts of violence, etc. in the neighborhood of the police precinct office from which those officers acted.

Was looting and burning a useful protest? No, it was not. However, when nothing is done about the police murder of a black man in a neighborhood full of people of the same race, people will react to that failure of justice. It's not a matter of whether or not the reactions are related to the crime that was committed. It is a matter of empowerment.

By not arresting and charging the officers responsible for the death of a black man in handcuffs, the law enforcement community in Minneapolis signaled that a black life does not matter. It signaled that a black man can be killed without consequence. What happened next was predictable.

Nobody has been arrested still for the unjustified death of that black man. The response from the community will continue, I have no doubt.

To the Cops in the MPD: "You're not all that!"