Another African-American male, another example of the blatant disregard that the white-dominated justice system has toward the black community ("Grand jury declines to indict N.Y. officer in chokehold death, Dec. 4). As a white man, I am horrified that less than two weeks after the grand jury failed to recommend an indictment against the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, another grand jury did not indict a white cop in the death of another African-American, Eric Garner. Michael Brown, unarmed, shot dead; Eric Garner, unarmed, choked to death.
In both instances, the white cop will face no charges in the killing of an African-American man. These are the latest examples of a justice system that is stacked against people of color, especially black males, who have been scapegoated and vilified, even as an African-American occupies the White House.
We are nowhere near the postracial ideal that some naively spoke of when Barack Obama was first elected president. Instead, we have a justice system that routinely preys on young black males, and constantly tells them that they are both dangerous and expendable. The white power structure of which the police are perhaps the most visible component will continue to perpetuate these myths until they are met with contrasting voices of reason, fairness and justice.
We need to begin now, before further lives are lost and before more families grieve for their lost sons or brothers.
Chris Ross-Brown, Fridley
ERIC GARNER: GRAND JURY
Look to the law, not to the media
Following the grand jury decisions not to indict police officers in New York City and Ferguson, Mo., there has been talk in the media of a miscarriage of justice. It should be pointed out that, per the Fifth Amendment, "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury." The members of these grand juries were ordinary citizens chosen from the general populace of their respective cities. They heard evidence against these police officers presented by prosecutors. And based on that information, they were unable to issue an indictment. We are a nation of laws and indictments, and justice is carried out based on those laws, and not by media reports.
Larry Bedard, Minneapolis
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Another black man killed at the hands of police. This time in New York. This time with clear video and the autopsy evidence. This was a homicide. What is unclear is how a grand jury could possibly reach a conclusion not to indict. As a grandparent of two black children, I am extremely concerned. Over the years, repeated episodes of police overreaction and brutality visited upon black people have been well-documented. Overprotective laws, stonewalling police unions, weak and unrepresentative city governments, and repeated failures of the criminal justice system should move all of us to protest and demand corrective action. This cannot continue.
Bruce D. Snyder, Mendota Heights
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