The CNN anchor stated on Friday night that major changes in police reform would only come when “white people’s kids” start dying at the hands of police.
What We Know:
- During a segment on his show “Cuomo Prime Time,” the anchor criticized the slow progress on police reform. Specifically, Cuomo attacked those white Americans who have pushed back against initiatives that would hold police more accountable for their actions.
- Cuomo spoke on police reform during his show in light of the recent shootings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo. During the episode, he noted that many of the people killed by police are ultimately forgotten because of how often these incidents occur. “George Floyd, Daunte Wright. I wonder if you’ll remember their names six months from now,” said Cuomo.
He’s absolutely right. This clip from @ChrisCuomo is a must watch. pic.twitter.com/FSJdUdjYgw
— Mike (@lIllImikelIllI) April 18, 2021
- The anchor noted that many white people tend to focus on the alleged criminal behavior of minorities killed by police. This makes the victim the focus of the problem and not the system itself. “It takes the onus off the idea that you’re wrong about policing not needing to change,” Cuomo said.
- To that end, Cuomo shared his belief that the reaction would be much stronger if the circumstances were changed. “Shootings, gun laws, access to weapons. Oh I know when they’ll change. When your kids start getting killed,” he said, speaking directly to the audience. Cuomo then did an impersonation of a white parent responding to that hypothetical situation; he asked, “What’s going on with these police? Maybe we shouldn’t even have police,” indicating that would be the response of those same white parents who decry police reform now.
- Cuomo even went on to suggest that if Black Americans began to arm themselves and form civilian militias, the government would respond in turn by enacting stricter gun laws. “We saw it in the sixties,” he added. The Gun Control Act of 1968 was implemented shortly after the Black Panther Party rose to prominence in the U.S.
Protests over police brutality were common throughout the country following the death of George Floyd. The Minneapolis community and nation at large remain on edge in the wake of Daunte Wright’s murder and the expected verdict in the ongoing trial of Derek Chauvin.
