Did Social Media Fail Philando Castile?
The not guilty verdict that the jury came to is not only unsurprising, it was planned from the start.
In the most traumatic moment of her life, Diamond Reynolds had the presence of mind to grab her cell phone. Her boyfriend, Philando Castile, had just been fatally shot by Officer Yanez when Reynolds started streaming the bloody aftermath on Facebook Live. The video quickly went viral – viewers were appalled by Officer Yanez actions and at first, it appeared that social media would usher the conviction of Mr. Yanez, but to the contrary, as the legal process wore on, it would be social media that facilitated his freedom. Last Friday’s jury decision to acquit Mr. Yanez lays bare how effective the legal system mines the profiles of potential jurors to ensure that those who are skeptical of America's legal system are not allowed to participate in it.Related: ON PHILANDO CASTILE, AKAI GURLEY, AND NON-BLACK PEOPLE OF COLOR’S COMPLICITY IN ANTI-BLACKNESS
We Need Valerie Castile’s Righteous Black Rage
Valerie Castile’s words of anger and mourning mix into a strong potion of Black rage, one that is holy in its justification and righteous in its power.
By Devyn Springer
TW// Police Brutality, Violence, Death A little under a year ago on July 6th, Philando Castile was shot and killed by officer Jeronimo Yanez while driving with his girlfriend and her four-year-old daughter. What was supposed to be a simple traffic stop turned into a death sentence for Castile —an occurrence that is beginning to seem routine for Black people. Castile’s death went viral causing mass protests and uprisings across the U.S. and particularly across Minnesota, where the killing occurred. This was largely due to the fact that Castile’s girlfriend Diamond Reynolds, live-streamed the tragedy on Facebook. While the medical examiners ruled Castile’s death a homicide – stating he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds – last week, officer Yanez was acquitted of all charges sparking a new round of nationwide protests, upset, and Black rage. While the majority of us are aware of the dangers of putting our hopes for justice into the same system responsible for our deaths, Black America also intently awaits for the chance to taste tiny slivers of victory by sending murderous officers to jail.Related: ON PHILANDO CASTILE, AKAI GURLEY, AND NON-BLACK PEOPLE OF COLOR’S COMPLICITY IN ANTI-BLACKNESS
On Philando Castile, Akai Gurley, and Non-Black People of Color’s Complicity in Anti-Blackness
Non-Black people of color, along with white people, are benefiting from and perpetuating state-sanctioned terrorism against the Black community. The term “people of color,” once an umbrella term used to encompass all people who identify as non-white, has become increasingly unuseful.
Where Was Facebook’s “Global Community” When a Girl Was Assaulted on Facebook Live?
Do people who witness crimes on Facebook Live have an obligation to report what they've seen to the police? And if they won't, can Mark Zuckerberg create the "global community" he dreams of? by Danielle Dorsey (Content warning: discussion of sexual assault) Since the
Police Shooting of Korryn Gaines Has White Privilege Written All Over It
Korryn Gaines becomes another victim and hashtag in the movement for Black Lives. Yesterday, I reported on a case of police brutality coming out of San Francisco involving BART police. The incident occurred this past Sunday. The victim in question is