CNN’s Don Lemon says it’s time for black Americans to stop whispering in response to those who deny the existence of systemic racism.
The “CNN Tonight” host covered ongoing George Floyd protests across the nation Wednesday evening and scoffed at President Trump and White House officials who assert that most police officers are hardworking professionals.
“Hmmph,” Mr. Lemon said with a laugh after playing a montage of men talking about “99%” of law enforcement officials who reject racism. “Listen, I’m going to say it. I’ll say this stuff from now on. And I’m not going to, people say ’black folks, white folks,’ whatever, whisper. We don’t have to whisper anymore. White men denying systemic racism: That is the essence of white entitlement.
Mr. Lemon took issue with U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, for example, for saying, “I think there’s racism in the United States still, but I don’t think that the law enforcement is systemically racist.”
“We do not need their permission or sign off on what we know to be true,” the CNN host retorted. “And what we have lived. That is white mansplaining.”
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police officer who knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck prior to the suspect’s death in late May, was arrested and ultimately charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.
The officers who made the arrest with him — Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao — also face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.
“How can you solve this problem, the systemic racism that is killing people of color if you won’t even admit there is a problem?” - @DonLemon on several WH officials claiming that systemic racism is not an issue— even as many Americans protest against racism and police violence. pic.twitter.com/JwwSDi1ZDZ
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) June 11, 2020
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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