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Yes, there can be unity in American politics. This doesn’t mean every single person on a given side agrees — but there can be enough unity so there is clearly a consensus. And the emerging consensus over a New York grand jury not to prosecute a New York policeman widely seen on videotape as choking an African-American to death in a case involving a minor in fraction has created notable unity. NBC’s First Read summarizes what is now unfolding:
Politically, there’s been one key difference between the reactions to the two recent decisions of grand juries not to indict white police officers for killing an unarmed black man. Unlike in Ferguson, conservatives have united with liberals to criticize the decision out of Staten Island, NY. Maybe the biggest reason for this unity: the videotape that exists of the killing. Here’s the cover of the conservative New York Post: “IT WAS NOT A CRIME,” which shows still frames of the New York cop putting Eric Garner in a chokehold. Conservative commentator Erick Erickson endorsed this statement: “[A] government that can choke a man to death on video for selling cigarettes is not a government living up to a biblical definition of justice or any recognizable definition of justice.” Conservative writer Allahpundit also decried the outcome. There were two notable exceptions, however: Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), who represents Staten Island, called the grand jury’s decision “fair and reasoned.” And GOP Rep. Peter King (R-NY) also defended it. But that was pretty much it. And in this era of increased polarization — especially when it comes to matters of race and law enforcement — it’s rare to see this kind of unity.
AND:
Does this create a political consensus to reform law enforcement’s treatment of African Americans?
This unity around the Garner killing serves to underscore that African Americans aren’t being paranoid when it comes to how they’re treated by law enforcement. The story out of Ferguson wasn’t as clear cut to as many people — there wasn’t video and it turned into a he said-he said type of situation. But the story out of Staten Island is different. And we wonder if it brings additional pressure for politicians, Democrats and Republicans alike, to address how African Americans feel under the law in this country.
graphic via shutterstock.com
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.