Thursday, December 5, 2024

The Great Stevie Wonder Rails Against Latest Police Violence Toward Blacks in Minnesota, Virginia

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Stevie Wonder, one of my heroes, posted a long Tweet expressing his frustration over the latest police violence against Blacks.

Like Stevie, I was infuriated by the killing in Minnesota of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon.

Then we saw the video of excessive force and basically, racism, against Lt. Caron Nazario during a stop in Windsor, Virginia. It’s despicable behavior.

Stevie wants to leave the U.S. but we need him. His singing voice and his speaking voice. He has always been a leader, and this is no time to abdicate.

Here’s what he wrote on Twitter today:

How many more Black lives will be lost at the hands of police? This is why we need police reform.
Why is the police chief making a conclusion after he refuses to discuss details? We need police reform. A mistake???? How does this happen?? We need police reform.

Expired license plates?? We need police reform. Black people in this country are dying at the hands of police. Anybody confused?

I remember an accidental police shooting in Minnesota four years ago. A Black police officer accidentally shot and killed a white woman. The police officer immediately stated it was an accident and apologized to the family.

He was tried and convicted of 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter. The judge refused any leniency and sentenced him to 12 1/2 years in prison. He was the first Minnesota police man to be convicted of an on duty shooting in recent years.

Black police- white victim-justice was swift and stiff. Another unintentional police shooting last night – White police and Black victim. What will justice serve this time? A police chief who had made a conclusion without discussing any facts? Will the police officer apologize?

Will the judge ignore leniency? Will this Black victim and his family in Minnesota see swift and stiff punishment? Does this system need reform? Do the math.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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