There have been a number of letters written to the newspaper in the last few weeks pertaining to the killing of a black man by a white police officer in the town of Ferguson, Mo.
One letter criticized three women carrying signs alluding to the injustice of a white police officer taking action towards a black man for no reason whatsoever. Under our Constitution they had every right to lawfully protest.
Another stated in part, “it involves consideration for a young black man who didn’t deserve to be shot dead no matter what he might have stole.” A third stated that “it is time white people acknowledge that there is a problem.”
Tragically this past week two police officers (not black) were murdered while sitting in their patrol car by a black man. Could these murders have been racially motivated? Maybe it’s about time that everyone — white, black, red and yellow — acknowledge that there is a problem, pointing the figure at one race is not a responsible act.
I was a police officer in Memphis, Tenn., for 25 years and during that time I suffered through every major riot that occurred in that city. I served with some of the most dedicated and brave men and women I have ever known during those years. Notice I said some not all: yes there were a few bad apples in the barrel as you will find in all professions.
The next time you find the need to write a letter to the editor on a topic that is troubling you please get all the facts first and look at both sides of the issue before taking pen in hand.
Tom Butler
Cortez
