BLACK LIVES SHOULD MATTER
Why Mississippi Police Killed a Black Man and Never Notified His Family
Police have no credibility in the black community because of cases like this
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Mississippi officials engaged in a cover-up after a police cruiser ran over and killed a 37-year-old Black man, Dexter Wade. While the Mayor of Jackson called his death a tragic accident and claimed the police had "no malicious intent" in hiding his death, the coroner revealed he had his I.D., which clearly stated his home address. There is no logical reason why authorities wouldn't follow protocol and contact his next of kin, but there was a potential motive to hide that information, protecting the police officer responsible for his death. Vehicular manslaughter is a crime, and if the person was intoxicated, they could face "between five and 25 years in prison — plus fines and fees." Refusing to notify the family was a choice, one that would ultimately represent a blue wall protecting the officer responsible for Dexter Wade’s death.
A PBS NewsHour-NPR Marist poll suggested two-thirds of Black Americans do not trust police, and cases like this make it painfully obvious why. When police violate Black Americans' civil rights, they are rarely held accountable for their…
