“After a Missouri grand jury made the decision not to indict a Caucasian police officer in the shooting in Ferguson, Missouri which resulted in the death of a black teen last August, hundreds of protesters took to the streets and started wreaking havoc in the town. The police responded by deploying tear gas and turning to rubber bullets, but these proved ineffective against justice-seeking horde.
“In an appeal regarding the protests made from the White House a few days ago, President Obama stated: “we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make. There are Americans who agree with it and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It’s an understandable reaction.”
“One of the most important messages that the President attempted to convey to the public in his address emphasized that “much work remains to be done to improve relations between black Americans and law enforcement.”
Having said that, the President invited members of the press into the Oval Office, where he called the unfortunate police officer in person, and offered his words of support: “dear Darren, I can’t possibly imagine what you’re going through right now. The shock of taking someone’s life is something unworldly, and I admire your courage to step forward. I also salute you and offer my support; I know you only had the best intentions.”
Interestingly, Obama gave no direct comment as to why he offered his support to what thousands are calling a “racially-targetted murder”. However, he did mention something interesting in his phonecall to the officer.
“In these perilous times, you’ve reacted with tremendous instinct and courage; after all, a police officer’s first job is to make sure he gets back home safely to his family. I won’t say “thank you” because a young life was extinguished, but I will say you’ve set an example for the rest of us. Now, thanks to you, the racial issue that is at the very core of this country will have been raised once again, and the Republicans are stuck with “a hot potato” on their hands. The Democratic Party and myself thank you for it”, the President concluded rather emotionally.
