NBA Boycott Will Never Stop Police Murder

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Doc Rivers, LA Clippers coach.

After learning about how Kenosha police in Wisconsin repeatedly shot Jacob Blake in the back August 23, Doc Rivers, LA Clippers coach, said some things that reminded me of George Floyd’s murder.

On 25 May, Floyd, a black man, said, ‘I can’t breathe,’ as Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis white policeman knelt on him for almost eight minutes.  Floyd died afterwards. There was world wide outrage known as Black Lives Matter protests.

What Doc Rivers said is similar to some of the messages on the Floyd placards. ‘Love us. Don’t hate us.’ The LA Clippers coach also alluded to love a few days ago.

“It’s amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back.”

Trayford Pellerin shot and killed by Lafayette police a day before Jacob Blake shooting.

Jacob Blake’s attempted murder must have resurrected painful memories for Rivers, that is why he was so emotional, but the fundamental issue is basic human rights.

There is no love in the world. No love in Buckingham Place. No love in the White House. No love at home to the extent that some kids were convicted of killing their parents. No love at work. No love in church and other places of worship.

Shooting Blake in the back is answer to the question: is it necessary to say black lives matter? Anybody is free to hate black people, but should not be in a government uniform and carry a government issued weapon. Love should not be part of the equation. It is about human rights. This is a human being, who should be treated as such.

The police should see a human being first, not a black man. It is not a request, it is compulsory, if we are to believe the U.S. Constitution and America’s claim to being leader of the ‘free’ world.

Blake’s father said his son was shot like a dog, but police treat dogs and animals better than black men. Dogs have a right to life, not black men.

May 25, George Floyd.

August 22, Trayford Pellerin shot by police in Louisiana.

August 23, Jacob Blake, in critical condition in the hospital.

Who is next?

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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