fidzbit

Should we really be surprised at the intensity of reaction to the ‘apparent’ murder of George Floyd? I use the word apparent deliberately because, whilst the policeman involved has been charged, he has not yet been convicted of murder. And that is a vital distinction. The claim is that a massive injustice has been committed and that this is indicative of systemic injustice against black people. From the video footage we have seen of the incident, it seems fairly clear that a crime has been committed. But I do not believe that we can call it injustice unless the wheels of justice - police investigation, trial by judge and jury, conviction or acquittal, and sentencing - fail to turn. In fact, it seems to me that uproar at this stage reflects a different kind of injustice which has become increasingly common in our media driven society. It is the injustice of mob rule. If enough people congregate to protest the police will make a ‘tactical’ decision not to intervene, despite current ...