The problem in the states is 2 fold. First the police in the past decade and a half have become militatrized and now there is really no difference between them and the army when a civil police force should be no where near an army. The second I would say is a loss of service to the community. It has been said that the main problem with police is you get in trouble for back talking to them. The police exist to protect and serve the community but have members in there ranks who are just bullies and want to exert power over others.

You think every black man who was murdered by the police argued or resisted? “Don’t do this and don’t do that!” That’s easy for you to say when they don’t instantly assume your guilt based on your skin color, right? Tell me how you as a white man understand the dynamics of interacting with the police as a black man. I’d love to hear this because of course you assume it must be the same when it isn’t. Just being black is “treatening” to a cop and justification for lethal force.

You witnessed this incident and know something we don’t? Maybe you should go tell the Baltimore police since you have it all figured out. You’re sickening as always.

A second American revolution need not be bloody – I would expect it to be largely based on non-violent principles, albeit with the right to self-defence. It will only be as violent as this dying and rotten system chooses to make it.

The “seizure” of the city?

seriously dude – to condone violence akin to the American revolution is just Looney

Have you ever been put in that same situation?????? My guess is no. When that happens, first reaction is to run because over there the police could be attempting to frame or inflict harm on you just because. This is the norm for black people in America. Most are terrified of the police and as a result of that try to evade them at all costs.

As you say, “Must be nice having hours to pontificate in front of a keyboard over an incident.” The same can be said about you my friend.

It seems you don’t even try to understand whats going on over there. His brother in-law who was the witness has already spoken out against the actions of the police, but you like others who seem to lack an objective understanding quickly side with the police without even trying to listen to those who are there. Its almost as if you are implying that the public is full of liars and only the police tell the truth.

“That cop has a family to go home to at the end of the shift & he DOES want to go home.” – This young man also had a family to go home to, yet you mention nothing of it, almost like that family doesn’t matter. You think that young black man did not want to go home too?

I implore you to try and grasp a better understanding of whats going on rather than automatically placing blame on the young man who gave his life to overaggressive officers.

The loss of any life – be they a citizen or a police officer – is of course always regrettable. However, until the roots of inequality and continuing racism are confronted and dealt with, these periodic tragedies and subsequent outbursts are inevitable.

And as you rightly point out, the media narrative is all too often tinged with a middle class and/or ‘white’ bias that both fundamentally misunderstands the context perpetrate the problems, both through failing to explore the roots and by encouraging reactionary rather than reflective solutions.

Unfortunately, these outbursts, these uncoordinated riots, cannot resolve the problem either. It would be better for them to organise and coordinate actions beyond looting and confrontation and instead into outright insurrection – the seizure of the city by and for the people. With any luck this right to the city, this right to justice, might just spark the second American revolution that they need if they are ever to achieve the dream of Roosevelt’s economic bill of rights or MLK’s dream of a just and equal society.

A better world is out there – but we must organise to win and build it. It won’t fall like manna from heaven, but will be built through action and determination.

That cop has a family to go home to at the end of the shift & he DOES want to go home.

When a cop tells you to do something you do it. You don’t run. You don’t argue. You don’t do anything that could be threatening to the cop. Protesting can come later, in front of a judge.

Happened to be in the Baltimore area when this occurred. The local news version is different from the National versions.

Had this individual complied with instructions when & as given the outcome would be very different.

Herein lies the problem.

We talk about racism from certain segments of the community and yet, here’s divisive commentary perpetuating the us vs them mentality.

where effective, so is he saying if peaceful means aren’t effective to result to the acts taking place?