America in Black and White Under The Law

Welcome to Free Byte. I have watched the events of the Stephon Clark shooting unfold on news broadcasts, and it's clear to me that if police shoot an unarmed black man, it's OK. No problem. If that's the way police are trained, then we are still living in two Americas. In one, the law will favor one and slam the other. Case in point: Here is a tale of two mothers from Arizona. One mother, Shanesha Taylor, is Homeless. She went to a job interview an left her 6 year old and 2 month old IN THE CAR. The other mother, Catalina Clouser, drove while high for 12 miles with her 2 month old ON TOP OF THE CAR! And that was BEFORE the child fell off the car. So what was the fates for both of these women? You'll love this! Shanesha Taylor is sent to jail and has her children taken away. Catalina Clouser, however, is sentenced to PROBATION! Wait: The mom who left her 6 year old and 2 month old in the car has her kids taken away and she's sent to jail, but the mom, who was high, driving 12 miles with her child ON TOP OF THE CAR only gets probation? What is up with that?

Now, to the issue at hand for this Free Byte. Stephon Clark was shot and killed by police last year when confronted by police when they mistook a CELL PHONE for a gun. A CELL PHONE, ladies and gentlemen. Then just recently, we just find out that the officers involved in the shooting will not be charged. So once again, police shoot and kill an unarmed black man and get away with it because they felt their lives were being threatened. And you wonder why we have such a mistrust with police. It's a case of shoot first and ask questions... NEVER!

So you're wondering "Why is he talking about Two Americas? We only live in one." To some degree you're right, we do live in one America. But on a legal front, we live in two. It's as simple as black and white. If you're an unarmed black man, if you look like you're struggling to resist being detained, you're gonna get shot. You will be killed. If you're an unarmed white man, however, and the same events occurred, you're likely tasered, but you will still be detained, and brought to jail for booking. Is it fair? Some would say yes. Others with a right mind would disagree. Equal under the law? Looks like the punishment differs depending on whether you're black or white.

That's just the way it looks on the surface. And again, you wonder why Blacks have a huge mistrust of police. You wonder why blacks run when they see police, whether they have committed an offense or not.

Right now, we have a long list (since 1999) of unarmed black men who were shot and killed by police and they got away with it. So far, of all of them, there are investigations open, but no results so far with the few exceptions that the officers were not even charged.

So where is that "equal treatment under the law" thing?

When you find it and show me that it truly exists, let me know because lately, I have not seen it. This proves it.

Just Saying.