
After the sentencing of Amber Guyger for the murder of her neighbor Botham Jean, Jean’s mother addressed the press, calling for an end to corruption.
Jean was at home watching television when Guyger, then a police officer, says she mistakingly entered his apartment. Within in moments, Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean.
He was just 26 years old.
Yesterday, Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his murder. However, in the weeks following the murder, the special treatment Guyger received was revealed, including it taking three days for her to be arrested. She was also permitted to talk with friends after the murder, who had visited the scene of the crime. It was also revealed that Guyger didn’t even use proper CPR in the moments after the shooting. Guyger had also sent racist texts to fellow officers.
Following the sentencing, Botham’s mother called for an end to corruption.
Botham Jeans mother calling out police corruption. You won’t spin this into so Black forgiveness story.
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) October 3, 2019
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At the sentencing, Botham’s younger brother forgave and hugged Guyger in a powerful display of Christian mercy but, as several activists have noted, the act of kindness shouldn’t negate calls for justice and reform.
God bless #BothamJean’s brother.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) October 2, 2019
But don’t confuse his forgiveness with absolving this nation for its gross, bitter discrimination against Black people in a myriad of its systems and policies. Racism and white supremacist ideology can’t be “hugged out.” Do #BlackLivesMatter?
We would be living in a very different world if many of the people who exult in black displays of forgiveness reciprocated that grace and mercy but that’s not reflected at all in our criminal justice policy, and it makes you question what they really find compelling about it.
— Adam Serwer? (@AdamSerwer) October 2, 2019