How outrageous for a police officer to believe that he has the authority to pump six slugs into an unarmed citizen who is not in the process of committing a felony. Unfortunately, the political indolence of the black citizens of Ferguson, Mo., enabled such an attitude to develop.
With about two-thirds of the population, black voters should control town government and the police, as well as influence county judicial processes. By not voting, blacks not only relinquished the power available to them, but they also tacitly assented to become targets of judicial abuse from excessive fines and fees.
According to journalistic reports, Ferguson residents blamed the failure to vote on the absence of leaders. How absolutely pathetic. Voting is a personal responsibility. Even when there are no attractive candidates, every citizen still has the responsibility to go to the polls on Election Day. Just blank the ballot but let the record show you are ready to support the right leader.
It is no wonder that talented blacks are unwilling to step forward to represent citizens who are unwilling to inconvenience themselves enough to go out and vote.
According to the St. Louis County Clerk’s Office, only 109 residents of Ferguson registered to vote in the last month ending on Sept. 15.
