Racially Charged Murders

23 years ago, an unsuspecting person stood just out of eyesight, under the cover of shadows and VIDEOTAPED while Los Angeles police officers surrounded and beat Rodney King.

Later the following year, 4 police officers were acquitted of criminal charges. The California city immediately broke out in riots. Stores were looted. Buildings burned to the ground. Now more than 20 years later, the powerful hatred of prejudice and racism still plagues this country.

Just in the last couple years, police officers have killed several black men in high-profile, controversial fashion. Just recently, a New York police officer took Eric Garner down with an illegal chokehold and another officer shoved his face into the pavement. While Garner was on the ground, video shows him pleading for help, saying he can’t breathe. A judge later ruled the death a homicide. Garner was unarmed.

In April of 2012, police responded to a call in Sanford, Florida where community patrolman George Zimmerman shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Police failed to arrest Zimmerman for several weeks, taking his testimony as gospel truth. Prosecutors tried to nail Zimmerman for second degree murder, but the judge wasn’t convinced. Zimmerman got off without charges.

Later that same year, also in Florida, 47-year-old Michael Dunn shot and killed Jordan Davis because Dunn didn’t like his loud music. Dunn says Davis pointed a shotgun at him, but authorities never found a gun in the car.

Now, just this week, police in St Louis are battling protesters with tear gas and SWAT teams. Monday night, an unnamed police officer shot and killed teenager Michael Brown. Witnesses say Brown put his hands in the air and said, “I don’t have a gun,” before the Ferguson officer shot him. The officer is currently on paid leave. 50 of the 53 Ferguson Missouri police officers are white. Brown was unarmed.

The angering news brought details to light in a similar shooting death in California where a lady says police shot and killed her son, Ezell Ford. Police say there was a struggle between Ford and the officer, but Ford’s mother says her son was shot in the back three times. Ford was unarmed.

Riots continue to rage near St Louis today, and once again, the country is facing with the unfortunate reality of racism. Until American’s learn to admit their bias and prejudice, and choose to love and protect their fellow countrymen, unjust murders like this will never end.

Rodney King’s speech on national television was such good advice over 20 years ago. It’s still great advice today.