Watch CBS News

How Can Police & African-American Community Improve Relations?

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - Within the last month, we have seen numerous shooting incidents involving law enforcement and unarmed African-Americans.

These incidents with racial overtones have dominated the headlines and many are wondering when, how and what can be done to fan the flames of division between law enforcement and the African-American communities.

Last Sunday on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA, these questions were asked by radio host Chris Moore to Dr. Edward Rhymes, author of the book "When Racism was law and Prejudice is Policy."

"I think that we have to unravel the supposed moral equivalency. Not speaking of murder not being murder no matter who is doing the murdering," said Rhymes. "But, on the levels that blacks have been harassed and murdered not just in the past year or the past few months, but throughout American history."

Chris Moore asks if there is a "moral equivalency" with a numbers game where more cops have killed more civilians than civilians have killed cops and it's not even.

Rhymes clarified his statement by saying, "A group of people can only be brutalized, can only be harassed, can only be profiled, for so long before some in that community think about reacting in a way that some have reacted."

You can listen to the rest of the segment using the player below.

Like NewsRadio 1020 KDKA On Facebook
Follow NewsRadio 1020 KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.