I’m not answering the question because you can do the research. Read the article. That’s not my point. Why NOW? When these things have been going on for decades?

Maybe it’s a technology thing.

Technology? Yeah, tech. Cellphones. Easy to get, potent tools for recording the data and putting it out there, without question. Bruce A. Jacobs, author of Race Manners, has a point. Video evidence puts the images in our faces so there is no denying the reality. He’s right: These protests wouldn’t be happening if we didn’t have the ability to see what’s out there.

Back in June, 2014, I became part of a jury selection process, for the trial of Sgt. Johnnie Riley, a District Heights police officer accused of shooting a handcuffed man in the back as he attempted to escape, paralyzing Kalvin Kyle in the process.

The selection of that jury eliminated every black man under the age of 50, excusing the young ones first. I didn’t keep the stats as I watched the process, but I was close to the end of jury selection process and had a front row seat for just about the whole thing, because I had nothing better to do except watch. I could figure out virtually every juror they excused over that excruciating week, based on demographics.

And here’s the funny thing: Sgt. Riley is black, too.

At what point do we trade our morality in exchange for power?

And how do we fix the problem?

I have no answers, only more questions. One thing is certain, though. Baltimore is the latest city, but it won’t be the last, Until the cops somehow figure out how to eliminate the evidence, there will be more unarmed men shot and killed for Running While Black. With men like Ryan fanning the flames, that sea change will be painful, but it is absolutely necessary. And long, long overdue.