via Facebook
Read it and weep. Sheriff Jim Johnson of Tupelo, Mississippi described a local legislator as “worse than a Black person” in a text message. At the time, he was complaining about a representative’s role in debates about his jail. Here’s what led up to this whole racist fiasco.
A newspaper uncovered the racist text messages after a public records request. They wanted to see conversations he had with Lee County Supervisor Phil Morgan about the construction of a new jail. And sure enough, there it was for everyone to see.
You have to wonder what a cop like this says off record, if this is what he says when he knows the public can access it. The local NAACP called on him to apologize, but that leaves you with another question. Is that enough? We know how he’s policing if this is how he talks!
Saying that someone is “worse than a Black person” speaks volumes about what you think of Black people. It seems like Sheriff Jim thinks that being Black is a lowly punishment. He apologized by saying he was aggravated at the time, but anger doesn’t excuse racism.
It’s worth asking, why do cops get to openly be racist, abuse power, lie, and even KILL Black people without much repercussions if any at all. How does apologizing for exposing you’re a racist fix anything? Racism in law enforcement is deeper than hurt feelings, it’s about power.