Wow, conservatives suddenly care about black on black crime.

Although the shooting of Michael Brown is recent we have seen and heard this script before. Whenever there is an issue of race and the killing of a young black man by police we hear of the rights sudden "concern" on the issue of black on black crime. One issue has nothing to do with the other. The conservative talking heads and pundits bring up this red herring to avoid talking about the topic at hand. On a side note why don't we ever hear the term white on white crime? But back to the topic at hand.

To avoid talking about race conservatives throw out stories about the killings in Chicago and other urban areas. They also suddenly care about the lack of black fathers in the home. They question what those protesting or talking about the killing of a black man by a cop is doing to stop black on black crime in cities or states miles away. They bring this up knowing it has nothing to do with the murders of Michael Brown, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Ezell Ford, John Crawford, etc.

What gets me is no one ever turns to them and ask, "What are you doing to stop black on black crime?"

Conservatives are always allowed to bring up what they believe are issues in the black community and then allowed to dump them in someone else's lap. No one ever calls them out and questions them about their sudden concern for the black community. It's about time that they be called out for the hypocrites they are.

If they cared about the black community you would hear more from them when there's not a crisis. We would hear about the groups and people they have working in the black community to make things better. We don't hear that because there is not much to talk about when it comes to what conservatives do in the black community unless you count criticizing it.

So my question to the right is why don't you care about our issues on a regular basis just not when you are trying to avoid a conversation on race?

George Cook AfricanAmericanReports.com. Email me

Black NFL referee refused to work Redskins games in protest of racist team name

A former NFL referee told The Washington Post that he requested not to work home or away games for the Washington Redskins due to the team's controversial nickname.

Mike Carey, who retired after the 2013 season following 24 years in the league, says he requested off Washington's games beginning with the 2006 season because it became clear to him that "something disrespectful" was happening and being on the field "probably (was) not the best thing for me."

"Human beings take social stances," Carey, the first African-American referee to work a Super Bowl, told the newspaper. "And if you're respectful of all human beings, you have to decide what you're going to do and why you're going to do it.

Longtime NFL referee Mike Carey said "even if I didn't have Native American friends, the name of the team is disrespectful." "In America we've learned that respect is the most important thing that you have. I learned it from my parents, my schools, from my faith. And when you learn there's something that might not be as respectful as you like, when you come to terms with it, you have to do something about it."

"I know that if a team had a derogatory name for African-Americans, I would help those who helped extinguish that name. I have quite a few friends who are Native Americans. And even if I didn't have Native American friends, the name of the team is disrespectful."

Read more here: Mike Carey said no to Redskins

From Eric Holder: A message to the people of Ferguson

The following is a statement on the Michael Brown shooting from the US Attorney General Eric Holder to the people of Ferguson Missouri.

by Eric H. Holder Jr.

Since the Aug. 9 shooting death of Michael Brown, the nation and the world have witnessed the unrest that has gripped Ferguson, Mo. At the core of these demonstrations is a demand for answers about the circumstances of this young man’s death and a broader concern about the state of our criminal justice system.

At a time when so much may seem uncertain, the people of Ferguson can have confidence that the Justice Department intends to learn — in a fair and thorough manner — exactly what happened.

Today, I will be in Ferguson to be briefed on the federal civil rights investigation that I have closely monitored since I launched it more than one week ago. I will meet personally with community leaders, FBI investigators and federal prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to receive detailed briefings on the status of this case.

The full resources of the Department of Justice have been committed to the investigation into Michael Brown’s death. This inquiry will take time to complete, but we have already taken significant steps. Approximately 40 FBI agents and some of the Civil Rights Division’s most experienced prosecutors have been deployed to lead this process, with the assistance of the United States Attorney in St. Louis. Hundreds of people have already been interviewed in connection with this matter. On Monday, at my direction, a team of federal medical examiners conducted an independent autopsy.

We understand the need for an independent investigation, and we hope that the independence and thoroughness of our investigation will bring some measure of calm to the tensions in Ferguson. In order to begin the healing process, however, we must first see an end to the acts of violence in the streets of Ferguson. Although these acts have been committed by a very small minority — and, in many cases, by individuals from outside Ferguson — they seriously undermine, rather than advance, the cause of justice. And they interrupt the deeper conversation that the legitimate demonstrators are trying to advance.

The Justice Department will defend the right of protesters to peacefully demonstrate and for the media to cover a story that must be told. But violence cannot be condoned. I urge the citizens of Ferguson who have been peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights to join with law enforcement in condemning the actions of looters, vandals and others seeking to inflame tensions and sow discord.

Law enforcement has a role to play in reducing tensions, as well. As the brother of a retired law enforcement officer, I know firsthand that our men and women in uniform perform their duties in the face of tremendous threats and significant personal risk. They put their lives on the line every day, and they often have to make split-second decisions.

At the same time, good law enforcement requires forging bonds of trust between the police and the public. This trust is all-important, but it is also fragile. It requires that force be used in appropriate ways. Enforcement priorities and arrest patterns must not lead to disparate treatment under the law, even if such treatment is unintended. And police forces should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

Over the years, we have made significant progress in ensuring that this is the case. But progress is not an endpoint; it is a measure of effort and of commitment. Constructive dialogue should continue — but it must also be converted into concrete action. And it is painfully clear, in cities and circumstances across our great nation, that more progress, more dialogue, and more action is needed.

This is my pledge to the people of Ferguson: Our investigation into this matter will be full, it will be fair, and it will be independent. And beyond the investigation itself, we will work with the police, civil rights leaders, and members of the public to ensure that this tragedy can give rise to new understanding — and robust action — aimed at bridging persistent gaps between law enforcement officials and the communities we serve. Long after the events of Aug. 9 have receded from the headlines, the Justice Department will continue to stand with this community.

As we move forward together, I ask for the public’s cooperation and patience. And I urge anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the FBI by dialing 800-CALL-FBI, option 4.

Eric H. Holder Jr. is attorney general of the United States.

US Attorney General Statement on Federal Civil Rights Investigation in Ferguson

Attorney General Statement on Latest Developments in Federal Civil Rights Investigation in Ferguson, MO by George L. Cook III

Michael Brown: Second autopsy results released

The preliminary results of an autopsy that Michael Brown's family requested is unlikely to settle the dueling narratives that have defined the case from the beginning.Brown was shot at least six times -- all to the front of his body, according to the preliminary results.