The recent shooting of Renee Good, an American citizen and mother of three, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, Jonathan Ross, in Minnesota, has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the United States. The incident has also sent shockwaves through the NBA, with prominent figures such as Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers, head coaches of the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively, condemning the act as "murder".
Kerr, in particular, was vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration's attempts to portray Good as a terrorist, stating that "it's shameful that the government can come out and lie about what happened when there's video and witnesses who have all come out and disputed what the government is saying". The anger and frustration felt by Kerr and Rivers are echoed by many Americans, who are demanding justice and accountability for Good's senseless death.
However, not everyone shares the same sentiment. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has faced intense backlash for his comments on the incident, which seemed to align with the Trump regime's assessment of Good's death. In a shocking display of insensitivity, Smith appeared to blame Good for her own death, suggesting that she "wrongfully disregarded a law enforcement official" and that the officer's actions were "completely justified".
Smith's exact words were: "I saw the video on numerous occasions and seeing what transpired from a lawful perspective as it pertains to a law enforcement official, don't expect him to be prosecuted. He was completely justified... From a humanitarian perspective, however, why did you have to do that? If you could move out the way, that means you could have shot the tires. That means you could have got a few feet away after you shot the tires. And if you were unsuccessful in doing that, you could have got her down the road."
Smith's comments have been widely condemned, with many accusing him of being tone-deaf and insensitive to the plight of Good and her family. Don Lemon called him a "disappointment", while former ESPN personality Keith Olbermann called for his firing. Veteran broadcaster Soledad O'Brien also weighed in, stating that Smith "consistently jumps into issues, whether it's politics or social issues, or in this case a legal issue that looks at how law enforcement is supposed to react, with zero knowledge or expertise and happily weighs in".
In response to the backlash, Smith attempted to clarify his comments, stating that his words had been "twisted and reported out of context". However, his subsequent explanations only seemed to dig him deeper into controversy. Smith maintained that he was only discussing the "legality" of the situation, but his comments continued to be seen as blaming Good for her own death.
The incident has also highlighted the issue of qualified immunity, which often protects law enforcement officials from prosecution. As Chuck Modi, co-host of The Collision: Where Sports And Politics Collide, points out: "If you're going to make that point, the next thing out of your mouth should be that that is a terrible law. And he didn't say that". The fact that Smith failed to condemn the law has led many to believe that he is sending a message that the law is just, when in fact, it is not.
In conclusion, the death of Renee Good is a tragic reminder of the need for accountability and justice in our society. While some, like Stephen A. Smith, may attempt to justify or downplay the incident, it is essential that we continue to speak out against police brutality and demand that those responsible be held accountable. The conversation surrounding Good's death is complex and multifaceted, but one thing is clear: justice must be served.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
