A white cop. A dead black teenager.
The white cop fires multiple rounds. The dead black teenager was unarmed.
This is our normal.
It's often said that a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich if the prosecutor so desires. This prosecutor not only didn't desire to get an indictment, he clearly desired to get an exoneration. His press conference sounded like that from a defense attorney, which is what he effectively was. It was timed to maximize the potential for public backlash.
The worst thing about the failure to indict was that it came as a surprise to no one. We take it for granted that when an unarmed black man is shot dead by a white man there will be no justice. We take it for granted that when anyone is shot dead by even a police officer with a history of misconduct there will be no justice. This is our normal. We take for granted that this is how things are, but we cannot take for granted that this is how things will continue to be. Our humanity is at stake.
In the hours before the failure to indict was announced, the authorities made very clear that they would be out in force so that the public reaction wouldn't get out of hand. It was important that white people not have to worry about unnecessary violence. Black people already know that violence can be a part of their lives at any time. This is our normal.
A white man shoots dead an unarmed black man. The white man is ruled not to have committed any crime. Again and again and again and again.
This is our normal.
The killer was not indicted. The Missouri criminal justice system was.
The killer was not indicted. The United States was.
This is our normal. This is not normal, but it is our normal.
A young man was shot dead. There was no justice. We all are condemned.