Let me start off by saying as a Black man, I'm just as appalled over this senseless shooting of an
innocent police officer just out doing his job as I am about
innocent Black men being needlessly gunned down by police officers who use poor judgment. Moreover, I hold the same regard for anyone who loses their life needlessly when such loss of life could have been avoided.
I don't like how the thread's originator felt compelled to start this thread not as a means to inform, but rather as a way to "stir the racial pot" and make blanket aspersions against those who may be of a different race or have different political views than he. I can deal with debating the issues; what I've grown tired of is the race baiting because all this does is spur hate.
As to the OP itself, the victim in this case deserved to get shot. The officer(s) were 1000% justified in using lethal force. No doubt about it! But to use such a tragic event as a "gotcha moment" - as if some sort of racial, justifiable "payback" for White people was in order...sad.
It's as if some folks want to start a race war.
I'll say what some folks won't: Police officers are the keepers of good order and discipline within every community throughout this country. They deserve to be respected and their authority adhered to. I'm probably one of the exceptions rather than the rule because in those rare instances where I have been pulled over by the police, I don't do anything to give them reason to do anything more or go any further than is necessary for them to do their job - which in most cases is assess the situation as to why they pulled me over (routine traffic violation), an ID search (clean record here - no outstanding warrants of any kind), issue me a warning or traffic ticket and be on their way. (And for those White folks who still think themselves racially superior, if you want to say "that's being a good nigger" go for it. But you'd be hypocrites since obeying the police and obeying the law is what you want Black people to do. Moreover, isn't that what all of us should be doing anyway? Think about it...)
Now, don't get me wrong. I DO have a problem with police officers who abuse their position of authority, who DO get over-zealous in ensuring good order and discipline in a civil society is maintained. I DO get pissed when I learn that a Black man has been unjustly pulled over simple for "driving while Black". (And for those who don't know what that means, it's when a Black man is driving a nice looking vehicle which the police officer
assumes he can't afford and, thus, presumes that the only way he could afford such a vehicle is if he was selling drugs or stole it.) I DO have a problem with Black people being racially profiled. However, I DO believe that there are some instances where we, as Black people, bring trouble unto ourselves, i.e., driving without a valid driver's license, having outstanding warrants or just being uncooperative with police. None of those things places any person least of all a Black person in a good light with local police. However, neither does being purposely singled out because of the color of your skin engender Blacks towards police. All that does is add to the air of mistrust by the Black community to law enforcement. (Nevermind the disparity in arrests and subsequent sentencing of Blacks for the same crimes committed by our White counterparts.)
I think changes in prevailing attitudes need to change on all sides, between Blacks and cops, cops and Blacks, and Blacks and Whites. But originating a thread in the manner this one begins does nothing to change attitudes. This only proves to make things worse.
I'm happy to know that the officer is recovering from his wounds. I'm sadden that some people feel the need to widen the racial divide by eluding to all Black people as being criminals or thug-like or making the nation's first Black President culpable for the bad behavior of a few (Black people).
Shameful...