"The fast food workers at a Plymouth, Minnesota Arby’s were getting nervous.
Derek Wolfsteller, who had just notified authorities himself that he was going through a “mental crisis,” was clearly becoming a threat in the restaurant—and workers quickly called 911.
Police responded.
Workers were in the process of trying to subdue Wolfstellar, who had already grown dangerous.
The police’s commands fell on deaf ears; the Taser didn’t work—and the man grabbed the officer’s gun.
She quickly regained control and was forced to shoot.
Wolfstellar took a hit in the head, and died.
With few exceptions, there was virtually no outcry.
And rightfully so.
The man was dangerous, he refused to obey the officer, could not be subdued by any other measure, and tried to grab the officer’s gun.
Derek Wolfstellar made a choice, and he paid for it.
Fast forward a few months, and a few miles to the east in the same metro area—and it’s a totally different story.
Never mind that Jamal Clark had added to an already extensive rap sheet by assaulting his girlfriend. Never mind that Clark returned to the scene after paramedics were called, and harassed and intimidated paramedics to the point where THEY felt compelled to call 911.
Never mind that Clark engaged in a physical confrontation with the officers.
Never mind that he eventually gained physical control of the handle of one of their guns.
Never mind all that, because we live in one of the most racially polarized periods in recent history.
You see, Derek Wolfstellar was white, and Jamal Clark was black.
And somehow when race is made a part of the debate (whether it played a factor or not), personal responsibility suddenly only applies to the officers, and not to the perpetrator.
So how does it all break down? And what, if anything does this have to do with Thanksgiving?
Bear with me—I’ll get there.
Let’s take a closer look at the components that don’t always make the news and opinion reels:
Mary Ramirez
Read it all. We need to be informed!!!
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