Ways the Media and Police Justify the Killing of Unarmed Black People

Jezebel

There is a prevailing notion in this country that when an unarmed black person is shot by the police, there must have been a valid reason. In the spirit of fairness, it doesn't even have to be at the hands of the police. Black victims are routinely put on trial in the media with an unspoken but clear suggestion that they deserved what they got. Here is a rundown of some of the reasons unarmed black people deserved to die.

• That toy gun looked real
• The hoodie made him look suspicious
• He sold marijuana
• He smoked marijuana at some point in his life
• Marijuana made him crazy
• There are pictures of him making "gang signs"
• She shoplifted from Wal-Mart
• He wore a grill sometimes
• He was committing a petty crime
• She was intoxicated
• He was jaywalking
• He was playing loud music
• He kinda looked like that other guy
• He was a graffiti artist
• He accidentally startled a cop
• His wallet looked like a gun
• She was bipolar and schizophrenic
• He had a juvenile record
• He touched his waist area
• She was double parked and her cell phone looked like a gun

No one is suggesting that black Americans are saints who never commit crimes or do things that call for police action. But I have to say, it sure is funny how many actions become a death sentence when a black person is the one doing them.

Photo via henkel.com