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What can Obama do about Eric Garner? Political scientist Dr Wilmer Leon explains

3,757 views · Published 7 December 2014 · 40:00 · Indexed 14 November 2026

Channel: The Dr Boyce Watkins Black Excellence Channel · 2014 · People & Blogs

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With nation-wide protests occurring since the non-indictment of the officer responsible for the death of Eric Garner, there have been some tough political decisions for President Barack Obama to make.  

These protests are different from anything our country has seen for quite some time.  People of all ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic classes are standing up against the deaths of young black men at the hands of police.  This is difficult for the White House to ignore. 

All the while, there is a significant and consistent racial divide, much of which is driven by differing perceptions of cops and how they do their jobs.  If you're a middle class white American, you're more likely to see officers as friendly, supportive entities in your community.  But if you are poor and/or black, you've seen police at their worst.

In this interview, Dr Wilmer Leon, a noted political scientist, helps me to sort through some of these issues.  Forgive me for the audio problem at the end (I accidentally turned my mic off).  The interview goes on for a bit, but it's a great conversation.  Enjoy.

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