The black community is (again) all in an uproar and indignant about what a white official had to say about a young black man. This seems to be a daily issue across the country.
Let’s review the facts in the Michael Brown situation. I assume Thomas, including many of us who follow big news stories, viewed the security-camera video where Mr. Brown, a 6-foot-2, 242-pound “kid” stole $42 worth of cigars from a convenience store and bullied/intimidated the slightly built store owner as Brown brazenly walked out the door.
Mr. Brown didn’t need a weapon to commit the robbery because his height and weight was intimidating enough to get away with almost anything. Mr. Brown, at his young age, had learned to wield his imposing body mass to get whatever he wanted without paying for it. That’s what we call a thief – and that’s what Thomas called him. The video told the story.
Why the Kent City Council thought it was appropriate to honor a thief with a moment of silence is beyond me. The councilman doesn’t need to apologize for anything – let alone resign. We don’t typically honor law-breakers in this country. But there is some sort of egg-shell-walking that white people are doing that has just gone hog wild.
As for the policeman’s actions in the Ferguson case, it’s a matter of conjecture whether Mr. Brown had his hands up or his arms extended as he came forward to tackle the police officer. His bullying behavior in the store would give weight to the latter scenario and would explain why the police officer kept discharging his weapon when this large, football-player-size young man came charging toward him.
If Mr. Brown stood still upon command from the officer and put his hands up, then the officer may well be liable for Mr. Brown’s death. The medical examiner can probably establish if Mr. Brown was moving forward or standing still when all the shots were fired.
We have seen racial bias run amok in the O.J. Simpson trial. Racial animosity runs both ways and is wrong when justice is denied.
Thomas took issue with the council’s misguided attempt to be socially “correct” and pander to one minority group in the city regardless of the dubious character of the person being “honored.”
The race card is getting frayed at the edges from over use in inappropriate situations. What other minority is given a free pass in a complex case like this? Why are so many black people and their advocacy groups so quick to cite racism and brutality? Why are our prisons housing so many convicted black felons? Despite DNA evidence, there is a hue and cry about discrimination. There should be more efforts at responsibility and instilling values and law-abiding character in young people instead of expecting society to give them a free pass in life just because they are black. Mr. Brown showed himself to be a bully and a thief. He may have died because he didn’t respect the law. That’s not an honorable legacy.
– Sandra Gill
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