GREER, S.C. – Like other recent cop shootings, this killing of Walter Scott is opening the door to dialogue on race relations; where we stand today and how they can be improved.
It’s important to note that it’s not known if race motivated the shooting death of Scott, just that he was black, Officer Michael Slager was white and the killing is escalating tensions according to some community leaders. The only way to cut the tension, they say, is education.
“There was a witness that came forward with video and the initial report was wrong. And that doesn’t happen all the time across this country. It doesn’t happen if you are African-American and it doesn’t happen if your are Caucasian,” said Scott family attorney, L. Chris Scott, Tuesday night.
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Stewart has been hesitant to call the shooting racially motivated. He’s quoted in the L.A. Times saying “It’s about power.”
Still, more than 24 hours after that shocking video stunned the public, the topic of race relations is in the spotlight.
“Every time something like this happens, it seems like it takes us to another point in our lack of understanding about race relations and how important it is for us to work together as a community,” said Maple Creek Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Reverend Earl Simmons.
Simmons said his heart breaks for the families of both parties involved and he’s hoping for some light in the midst of darkness.
“I would hope that this tragedy would be used to launch a dialogue. A dialogue between all races, particularly the police community…the minority community…and we work together to improve our understanding about our differences,” said Simmons
It’s not an easy fight, both historically and today.
Less than 6 months ago, the streets of Ferguson, Missouri were filled with violent protestors surrounding the death of Michael Brown. Tensions between police and the African American community are escalating said Simmons.
“We need to de-escalate that and it needs to be one of mutual respect and one of mutual understanding and sharing,” he said.
In college campuses across the state, student groups have organized the “Black Lives Matter” movement. This fall, USC Upstate will hold an 8 speaker series about the movement, focusing on race relations.
Student, Ariana Sanchez, is helping plan the series.
“I feel like students are going to get a new value to what’s going on. A new perspective. Clarification,” she said.
It’s a small step, she said, in educating her generation and creating a world more understanding to all races.
A recent Pew Research poll found many Americans think race relations in the country are worse in recent years. The poll saw a 12 point drop in positive black views on race relations since President Obama took office. The poll also found that 70 percent of black responders felt law enforcement does “a poor job in holding officers accountable for misconduct” and do “a poor job of treating racial and ethnic groups equally.”
