CNN commentator Van Jones sparked a backlash for claiming the cops – who were all black – who beat and eventually killed Tire Nichols may have been “racism-driven”.
Video released Friday night shows Nichols, 29, screaming for his mother multiple times during the brutal Jan. 7 attack, which took place just blocks from his home. He died shortly thereafter.
Jones, one of CNN’s star liberal commentators, wrote Friday that black people are “not immune” to the effects of anti-black racism and that narratives of police violence should never be as simple as “white cop kills unarmed black man.”
“The message from society that black people are inferior, unworthy and dangerous is pervasive,” Jones wrote. “Over many decades, numerous experiments have shown that these ideas can infiltrate both black and white minds. Self-loathing is a real thing.’
CNN commentator Van Jones sparked a backlash for claiming the cops – who were all black – who beat and eventually killed Tire Nichols may have been “racism-driven”.
He said this kind of thinking could lead a black shop owner “to view customers of his own race with suspicion”.
“Black people can harbor anti-Black feelings and respond to those feelings in harmful ways,” Jones added.
He continued that the problem is that black cops are “socialized” in police departments that treat neighborhoods as “war zones,” and claims that cops of all races are “internalizing” the notion that few officers are responsible for brutal acts to get punished.
He then quoted the lyrics to “F**k tha Police” by rap group NWA, who share similar sentiments about black officers.
“At the end of the day, it is the race of the victim being brutalized — not the race of the violent police officer — that is most relevant in determining whether racial prejudice is a factor in police violence,” he said, suggesting that it “It’s hard to imagine a white person being beaten to death by the police.
Many voices of different political persuasions were outraged at the attempt to divide people over this issue.
Patrick Bet-David, a podcast host and author, wrote: “Any opportunity CNN gets to divide America, jumps at it. It’s a shame. Why not even try to unite? This was a tragic event. What these 5 officers did to Tire Nichols was horrible to say the least. My heart goes out to all his family.’
Jones, one of CNN’s star liberal commentators, wrote Friday that blacks are “not immune” to the effects of anti-black racism and that narratives of police violence should never be as simple as “white cop kills unarmed black man.”
“The message from society that black people are inferior, unworthy and dangerous is pervasive,” Jones wrote. “Over many decades, numerous experiments have shown that these ideas can infiltrate both black and white minds. Self hate is a real thing’
Columnist Thomas Chatterton Williams added: “What if, stay with me, these five men would actually be agents responsible for their own reprehensible actions, and not just unfortunate puppets wielded by the unseen hand of the inescapable and all-powerful white supremacy.” manipulated?”
Connor Boyack replied: “The most racist people in our society seem to be the ones who bring racism into every possible circumstance.”
“It’s racism, CNN is the racist,” said Olivier Janssens.
The Memphis Police Department has released harrowing bodycam footage of five officers fatally beating Tire Nichols after a traffic stop for allegedly reckless driving.
Video released Friday night shows Nichols, 29, screaming for his mother multiple times during the brutal Jan. 7 attack, which took place just blocks from his home.
‘Mummy! Mummy!’ shouts Nichols as he is pinned to the ground by several officers, pepper sprayed in the face, kicked and punched in the head, and beaten with a metal club.
Video shows police raining down at least nine punches on the FedEx employee while shouting obscenities during the nearly four-minute altercation.
Even after paramedics arrived, a handcuffed Nichols remained lying on the sidewalk for nearly half an hour with no significant medical intervention.
All five officers involved in the murder were charged with second-degree murder, with the district attorney saying that although they all played different roles, “they are all responsible.”
Still, police across the country braced for possible violent unrest as protesters rallied to express outrage in response to the graphic and highly disturbing footage.