US President Barrack Obama in a post he shared yesterday evening says all Americans should be deeply troubled by the
recent killings of two Black Americans by white police officers. He
wrote:
All Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal shootings of Alton
Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon
Heights, Minnesota. We’ve seen such tragedies far too many times, and
our hearts go out to the families and communities who’ve suffered such a
painful loss.
Although I am constrained in commenting on the particular facts of these
cases, I am encouraged that the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a
civil rights investigation in Baton Rouge, and I have full confidence
in their professionalism and their ability to conduct a thoughtful,
thorough, and fair inquiry.
But regardless of the outcome of such investigations, what’s clear is
that these fatal shootings are not isolated incidents. They are
symptomatic of the broader challenges within our criminal justice
system, the racial disparities that appear across the system year after
year, and the resulting lack of trust that exists between law
enforcement and too many of the communities they serve.
To admit we’ve got a serious problem in no way contradicts our respect
and appreciation for the vast majority of police officers who put their
lives on the line to protect us every single day. It is to say that, as a
nation, we can and must do better to institute the best practices that
reduce the appearance or reality of racial bias in law enforcement.
That’s why, two years ago, I set up a Task Force on 21st Century
Policing that convened police officers, community leaders, and
activists. Together, they came up with detailed recommendations on how
to improve community policing. So even as officials continue to look
into this week’s tragic shootings, we also need communities to address
the underlying fissures that lead to these incidents, and to implement
those ideas that can make a difference. That’s how we’ll keep our
communities safe. And that’s how we can start restoring confidence that
all people in this great nation are equal before the law.
In the meantime, all Americans should recognize the anger, frustration,
and grief that so many Americans are feeling — feelings that are being
expressed in peaceful protests and vigils. Michelle and I share those
feelings. Rather than fall into a predictable pattern of division and
political posturing, let’s reflect on what we can do better. Let’s come
together as a nation, and keep faith with one another, in order to
ensure a future where all of our children know that their lives matter.
