Editorial: Charlotte is Drowning in Systematic Injustice by WILLIAM J. BARBER, II

[G_j]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/editorial-charlotte-drowning-systematic-injustice-n652541

Just before 4pm, on Tuesday, September 20th, a Charlotte police officer shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott outside Scott's parked car. Eyewitness and police reports do not agree on who the officer was, whether Scott was holding a book or a gun, or what took place between officers and Scott before the shooting.

There is much we do not know. But there is unrest in Charlotte because of what we do know.

We know that the law, as written and enforced, cannot protect us from police violence. We know Darryl Hunt and Henry McCollum, two in a long list of African-American men wrongfully convicted in this state. We know our criminal justice system does not function to protect black life, but to control it.

TO CONDEMN THE UPRISING IN CHARLOTTE WOULD BE TO CONDEMN A MAN FOR THRASHING WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO DROWN HIM.

We also know, since the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's ruling on August 31st, that Governor Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte, targeted African-Americans with "almost surgical precision" when he signed a 2013 voter suppression bill. When the highest court in the land declared the law intentionally racist, McCrory made no apology. His party's chairman doubled-down by trying to use the state Board of Elections to limit the number of polling places in areas where African-Americans generally vote.

..more..

[malaise]

1. K & R

for truth - I notice the media is silent on connecting the racist voting rights promoted by reTHUGs with other atrocities inflicted on African-Americans.

Watch this carefully - I have a feeling the Deplorables are going to try and steal the African-American vote.

[G_j]

11. you can bet on it. nt

[radical noodle]

2. I love Rev Barber!

He's an awesome advocate for rights and speaks from the heart.

[wildeyed]

3. Charlotte is a golden New South city for many.

People come here for good salaries, reasonable cost of living and mild winters. But it is a trap for the poor. Not enough affordable housing, little public transportation for those too poor to own a car and schools that have resegregated at a frightening rate. We have a ruinous level of child poverty. Problems with police profiling.

Many of my middle class, white Facebook peeps are making statements about how this is not "Our Charlotte". I love my city too, but yes, this is "Our Charlotte". We have Issues that we can't sweep under the rug anymore.

[mnhtnbb]

4. As an NC resident I noticed how immediate McCrory's reaction was to send in the National Guard.

McCrory is a bigoted, racist, a$$hole who must be voted out of office in November.

Earlier this week the Republicans wanted the Charlotte mayor (which McCrory was before he became Governor) to get
the Charlotte City Council to rescind the ordinance that they passed last spring which Republicans blame for
their need to pass HB 2. I'll bet McCrory was practically jizzing his pants at the thought of using military force
last night to show Charlotte who was boss.

The Republicans in NC absolutely cannot stand seeing the end of straight white males calling the shots on everything all the time.
They are racist, bigoted, a$$holes.

Rev. Barber has been leading the charge on the Moral Mondays here in NC in protest against the Republicans for the last several years.
He has gained national attention and it's not uncommon to see him now being interviewed on cable or by the networks. He is a wonderfully
articulate force for the concept of social justice for the common good.

[G_j]

16. I've heard him speak

and attended a Moral Monday gathering. He is one of the most inspiring speakers one can find today, a true asset and treasure!

[BootinUp]

5. Big Kick and Rec. nt

[Bonx]

6. "TO CONDEMN THE UPRISING IN CHARLOTTE WOULD BE TO CONDEMN A MAN FOR THRASHING WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING

Can we condemn the violence and looting ?

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

8. "Can we condemn the violence and looting ?"

Ever since I attended the Watts Riots in 1965, that question has been asked, and your point is?

[Solomon]

14. Why? Sitting for the

anthem isn't acceptable.

[Brickbat]

9. Knock yourself out.

I'm sure it'll be really useful.

[G_j]

10. sure

but why not read the editorial first?

[Wednesdays]

13. A quick look at your history

leads me to wonder why you're on this site, and how it is you've made it this long.

[alarimer]

7. This is what happens when people are pushed to the breaking point.

A society in which people are treated equally and have a legitimate chance in life, is a safer society. Why don't we ever learn that lesson? A truly level playing field, a school system without the school-to-prison pipeline, jobs that are good paying and located where people actually are, would be a good start, at minimum. And an absolute requirement of that is reforming the police so that they treat people better than animals.

For those who argue that these folks have the same chance as anyone else, you are ignoring the evidence in front of your face.

[G_j]

12. kick

[romanic]

15. I'm just so numb with the constant cycle.

Black man gets shot, protests turn into riots, national "conversations" start, editorials/opeds get published and those on the left and right bicker and argue and blah blah blah just until the next shiny news story comes up and everyone stops caring.

It's so pointless and tiring, im just sick of it.