Some observers, lacking in empathy, have blamed black victims for their own deaths by claiming they did not comply with police instructions, mouthed off at officers, or were thugs or gang members. Unfortunately, many segments of society cannot (or refuse to) appreciate suffering until and unless it affects them or their own community. It is for this reason that black and brown people often believe their lives are not valued. When white lives are at stake, society takes notice. It's too soon to know whether Ruszczyk's death will bring the problem of police violence home to white Americans in ways that previous shootings haven't.

Source: CNN July 19, 2017 17:37 UTC