What needs to happen in the United States before law enforcement officials tell the truth in regards to their training and policies in the area of policing in the African American community? The Caucasian police officers did not just wake up one day and say, "I'm going to join the police force so I can kill some African American men." Walter Scott's death represents a systemic issue with the police training and screening process. Walter Scott should not have been shot and killed. Will this be a landmark case for the country, or will the police officer walk free after more is revealed about the incident?
It seems like unarmed African American males are being shot or killed every day. Walter Scott was executed for what appears to be no reason at all. While people march across the world, the killings continue. A young man was killed in Oklahoma while running without a gun.
You cannot fix a problem if you do not admit to having a problem. The biggest issue is denial and total disregard for the lives of African American males. The president will need to mandate changes in police policies across the nation. Right now, it appears that some local law enforcement agencies need to be overhauled.
Several community leaders and civil rights attorneys are taking on the issue of excessive force. The success rate, however, is very low when it comes to securing a conviction against some of the rogue officers. The majority of people in the United States already agree that the vast majority of police officers are good people. It's always a small percentage of people across the world that commits most of the heinous crimes against other people. This police matter is getting out of control and there appears to be no end in sight.
Rodney King once stated, "can't we all just get along?" during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. His message was well received after several days of looting and mass chaos. It should not take marches and looting to bring an end to this barbaric behavior. Law enforcement officials should admit to wrongdoing. How can you go from riding in a car without any known weapons to being shot down like a dog in the streets? This is exactly what happen to Walter Scott. People are tired and weary from all of the protest, demonstrations, rallies, etc. The United States is a world leader in bringing world peace, but we continue to struggle with peace within the African American community and police. If our elected leaders really worked on a serious plan, then we could make the necessary changes to ensure that innocent African American youth isn't shot down in cold blood.