A Threat to Black Americans

When young blacks confront white police officers, the outcome is often fatal — not only in Ferguson. It’s time for politicians to do something about the use of force by police.

The grand jury in Ferguson did its duty thoroughly. For more than 25 days, the jurors questioned witnesses, pored over autopsy and police reports, and gave comprehensive advice. It wasn’t easy because there was so much contradictory testimony. In the end, the jury determined there was insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing by police officer Darren Wilson, who shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown to death in August. Although some aspects of Wilson’s account remain in doubt, the jury’s decision appears reasonable.

But the incident begs one question that is repeated in so many similar cases: Why do confrontations between young black men and white police officers often result in fatalities? A white police officer just shot and killed a 12-year-old black child in Cleveland because the child was reaching for a toy pistol; in St. Louis recently, two white police officers emptied their magazines into a black man just meters away because he was brandishing a knife.

The list could be easily expanded just by adding similar incidents that have taken place this year alone. That’s why it’s understandable when black citizens demonstrate in Ferguson and other American cities. They justifiably believe the police often don’t protect them, but pose a threat to them instead. President Obama understands that sentiment and has appealed to the police to address that problem. It’s about time.