Only one problem: The officer was a Black Male. (Guest: Michael Letts)
When it comes to finding out the motives of someone responsible for a mass shooting, there’s a lot to look at, from emotional to physical abuse. However, New York City Councilwoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn recently went way off base when it came to determining the reasoning for a shooting incident in Tulsa a few days ago.
Not long after Tulsa Police Department Chief Wendell Franklin identified the shooter as a disgruntled patient who were merely looking for further treatment on his back pain, Hermelyn posted a tweet in response to one made from the White House. She noted that “today’s atrocity in Tulsa happened on the 101st anniversary of the Tulsa Black Wall Street massacre. White Supremacy is clearly a factor.”
There’s just one problem with that – Franklin was a black male.
This marks the latest example of someone trying to lay the blame on a mass shooting for the wrong reasoning. Speaking to us about the concern is Michael Letts, a pro-police advocate who serves as founder and CEO of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to officers across the country through various sponsorships and charitable programs.
Q&A:
- So what do you think Hermelyn was thinking when she blamed the shooting on “white supremacy” when this clearly wasn’t the case?
- Do council people like to get attention such as this by playing the “blame game” instead of taking a closer look at what really could’ve made a shooter act out like this? We’ve seen it in the past with others as well.
- Hermelyn’s post appears to still be up, with many noting her error on Twitter. What’s your take on how she doesn’t seem to have all the facts?
- Is this maybe an indication that some people just shouldn’t have a Twitter account? Or at the very least remind people to think before they post?
- In spite of Hermelyn’s gaffe, what do you think about Tulsa’s quick response to the shooter?
- Where can we learn more about InVest USA?
- You can visit the official website at http://www.investusa.org
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Gerald McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com
