I haven't posted on DU in many months

[Skidmore]

but I wanted to stop by here in this group again to express my deep sorrow and frustration with the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Americans can be better than this. We must find a way to justice for these men and the others like them. We must find safer communities for our families. Black lives matter.

[rbrnmw]

1. awww

[safeinOhio]

2. The events of last few days

Have brought a few tears to the eyes of this old White man. I'm with you 200%.

[redstatebluegirl]

3. When I saw the video of the murder ofPhilando Castile in front of his girlfriend and her daughter

I started to cry. I am praying for his family and writing letters to everyone I can think of to try and bring these police under some control. I can't imagine what it feels like to be Black in America right now.

[lunatica]

4. I cried this morning when Philandro's mother and uncle spoke on CNN

It's so hard to believe that a cop would shoot a man with a little child in the back seat. It's just makes me sick thinking about it.

[tblue37]

15. That cop had tunnel vision. He wasn't even aware of the child (though if he had been, I am sure he

wouldn't have let her presence restrain him).

All he was aware of was his own racist fear reaction to a "scary" black man. If he had been thinking at all, he would have realized that the man was following the law to the letter, politely informing him of his concealed carry license and the presence of a gun while fully complying with the cop's order to show his DL and car registration.

A person intending to shoot him would not have informed him of the gun, but the stupid, panicky cop heard "gun" at the same time he was looking at a black man, so he shot several times to save his own cowardly skin from a nonexistent threat.

[forgotmylogin]

18. As I've said, despite everything else, this guy is not qualified to police.

He failed to assess the situation and escalated to gunfire when it was absolutely not necessary.
He should be fired.
He should be prosecuted.

[tblue37]

19. Absolutely. Unfortunately, the same is true of way too many cops. nt

[pnwmom]

5. I was up late last night, watching all this, and just dreading the morning

when I knew some of my friends would wake up to learn this . . . on top of Alston Sterling.

I'm so sorry.

[nolabear]

6. Happy to see you and deeply sad for the reason.

I truly don't know what's going to become of us.

[ismnotwasm]

7. K&R

[Eleanors38]

8. Agreed. I actively support the end to the WOD, and recommend likewise.

[aintitfunny]

9. Thank you.

[mcar]

10. President Obama just spoke eloquently

We can be better than this and there is no excuse for us not to be.

[calimary]

11. I am still stunned about both of those.

Watching that woman in the car, recording the encounter on her cell phone, and her absolutely stunning composure while her fiance is slumped over against her having just been shot - I'm amazed how she could have remained so composed. I doubt I could have been as clear-headed as she was and not start freaking the hell out. That was just shattering! Appalling! Horrifying!!!

Nor can I believe this shit happened AGAIN AND AGAIN. TWICE in less than a week. I am just dumbfounded. I guess the "crime" here is BEING black.

I CANNOT believe it. I haven't cried yet, but I think it's because I'm still in shock. PARTICULARLY after seeing the NY Daily News cover this morning, of Alton Sterling lying dead on the pavement, his hands empty, and no gun anywhere in view - except in the hands of one of his police attackers still in Rambo position.

[GitRDun]

12. I've been gone forawhile myself

Too many negative waves.

I just wonder if when it's ever going to be enough killing for citizens to force change...

[IronLionZion]

13. I'm disgusted that the first response is to shoot

rather than the last resort.

Yes there is the racial component. But there is also the shooting component. Normal law-abiding peaceful people should not be living in fear that we will be shot by police. It's a nasty situation when people are afraid of being shot by each other.

[Cha]

14. Mahalo for this, Skidmore~

We Should Not Have To Jump Through Hoops To Prove That Black Lives Matter




Philando Castile and Alton Sterling~
11:12 PM - 6 Jul 2016
5,863 retweets 4,404 likes

https://theobamadiary.com/2016/07/07/we-should-not-have-to-jump-through-hoops-to-prove-that-black-lives-matter/

[lillypaddle]

16. So upset I could barely breathe

I haven't been able to read most of the articles or watch the videos. My heart breaks for these families.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Glad to see you pop in

I am not surprised. I am not shocked. I am weary. It is a continuance of something that has gone on since slavery times. The difference being that although we are certainly NOT seeing all of the instances of similar abuses that may have occurred or are occurring, but with the advent of "social media", we ARE starting to see what we have always suspected and railed about, and so is the world.