I believe President Obama needs to be blunt about the out of control police departments across the country, about how they target minorities, about how they're power happy and trigger happy.
It made me think of the phrase "Profile in Courage", from JFK's book. One of the most important roles that the President plays, or should play, is that of a leader, not just this current craze for military stuff, the Commander in Chief business, but a moral leader. The President should tell us what's what, honestly, as I believe JFK did in 1963, as you'll see if you click on the video on the other side of the squiggle
June 1963, when racists were acting like they are now, when young kids were having to run the gauntlet of screamers just to go to school, the Federal Government sent troops to make sure they made it inside. But school wasn't the only problem, just as cops shooting kids isn't the only problem now. It goes deeper, as it did then.
Kennedy said this:
It ought to be possible for American consumers of any color to receive equal service in places of public accommodation, such as hotels and restaurants and theaters and retail stores, without being forced to resort to demonstrations in the street, and it ought to be possible for American citizens of any color to register to vote in a free election without interference or fear of reprisal.
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case.
He went on to talk about injustices and then said something I found especially interesting. We hear talk about what's legal and what's not. But Kennedy said this:
This is not even a legal or legislative issue alone. It is better to settle these matters in the courts than on the streets, and new laws are needed at every level, but law alone cannot make men see right.
We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution.
And he talked about the effect this was having on the country. He mentioned protesters. Where President Obama brushed past the police in his recent comments after the non-indictment in Ferguson, and then proceeded to tell the people in the street just what they should or shouldn't do, Kennedy went to the heart of it, saying
The fires of frustration and discord are burning in every city, North and South, where legal remedies are not at hand. Redress is sought in the streets, in demonstrations, parades, and protests which create tensions and threaten violence and threaten lives.
We face, therefore, a moral crisis as a country and as a people. It cannot be met by repressive police action. It cannot be left to increased demonstrations in the streets.
He wasn't afraid to call the police repressive. He didn't try to placate them, as Obama did when he said "Understand, our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. They’ve got a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law." Kennedy didn't say "And there are good people on all sides of this debate".
I believe President Obama should see this and use his moral authority to be as bold. This is a sick country. The comments on articles are atrocious. We've seen what cops say online. I'm sure you've all seen the horrible, unbelievable racism that's everywhere. The President needs to set the country in the right direction.