One of the most disturbing elements in watching the videos of a white police officer firing shots at Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was the proximity of children.
In one video, a toddler, presumably that of a neighbor, is just a few yards away from the violent scene.
In another, Blake is shown being shot numerous times by the policeman as he attempts to enter his car. Inside the vehicle were his three sons, ages 3, 5, and 8.
Blake was unarmed. Altogether, there were three officers involved in the incident.
IF THEY COULD replay that Sunday afternoon in Kenosha, Wis., law enforcement officials hopefully would have pursued their investigation of Mr. Blake in a more peaceful manner.
If tempers were hot, they could have used their training to de-escalate tensions. Or come back later. As far as we know Blake was not a fugitive.
Instead, they used unnecessary force. And put others, including youths, in harm’s way.
Blake has survived the assault, but remains in serious condition due to one of the seven bullets fired at close range severing his spinal column.
Blake’s shooting is not an anomaly.
Black Americans are more than 2.5 times likely to die at the hand of police than whites.
THE OUTRAGE of yet another instance of excessive force by police has sparked three nights of violent protests in Kenosha, including two deaths, and untold destruction to public and private buildings.
In their quest for racial justice, those protesting the violence against Blake have asked authorities to give a full account of the incident as well as require officers to wear body cameras so their actions are recorded.
Had it not been for a bystander recording the incident on their cellphone, there would have been no visual record of how Blake was treated.
Nationwide, BLM advocates are calling for the repeal of Graham v. Connor, a 30-year-old U.S. Supreme Court decision that in essence legalizes police violence by giving them undue protections.
Kenoshans, rightfully so, are worried that what should be peaceful protests have been turned into outright riots.
