Monday, August 31, 2015

Just Not getting It




It is understandable that this law enforcement officer is angry, upset and stunned by the violent tragedy that happened to his deputy.

But, it is also unfortunate that he complete misstates and confuses the issue of #black lives matter.
Take into account his statement: “When the rhetoric ramps up to the point where calculated, cold-blooded assassination of police officers happen, this rhetoric has gotten out of control," Hickman said. We've heard 'Black lives matter,' 'All lives matter.' Well, cops' lives matter, too. So why don't we just drop the qualifier, and just say 'Lives matter,' and take that to the bank.” 

He’s just plain wrong on two counts.  

First, he make the bald-faced and unsubstantiated assumption that the shooter - who is black – was motivated by the #black lives matter movement.  Why?  Because in the sheriff’s mind the shooter is black and the officer white so there couldn’t possibly be any other motive.

Two, #black lives matter in no way suggests or states that the life of a cop is in any way less than that of another person.  And to publicly say that because a group of people are vocally and forcefully demanding equal rights must in some way be violent extremists is one thing and one thing only.  Racist. 

I’m sorry, but if it was a skinhead who killed the officer, he would do what he’s supposed to do.  Make statements about the crime and the investigation.  But he’s a racist sheriff and he responds as a racist sheriff.

It’s really too bad.

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