Don Lemon has decided to share his experience with the police with his viewers. On Thursday night, the main topic on CNN and all the great networks was the deadly shooting of two black men – Alton Sterling and Philando Castile – in the hands of white police officers.
During the intense and emotional debate, the host of CNN Tonight decided to open up about his own experience with law enforcers. Mr. Lemon stated that when he is stopped and is questioned by a police officer, he acts very polite because he does not want to get assaulted or killed.
“I shouldn’t have to do that, I shouldn’t have to be ‘Yes, sir’-ing anybody. I’m a grown-you-know-what man in America.”
He continued:
“I do it because I want to stay alive; that’s why I do it. My white counterparts, they don’t do that. They speak to police officers in a way that I would never in a million years do, and that is the reality of it. I have to do that because I want to stay alive.”
Lemon went on to reveal that despite being a recognizable figure, he does not get special treatment from the authorities when he is pulled over. He added:
“As accomplished as I am, and a man of color on television who is recognizable to many people, I have to do that because I don’t want to be shot and I don’t want to be killed. And I am someone who is never in trouble.”
Guest David Katz, CEO of Global Security Group, interjected that he tells his children to be respectful to police officers, Lemon was quick to reply by saying that Castile’s mother had taught her son to be polite, but that put him six feet under. Lemon explained:
“That’s what the guy in Minnesota, they said his mother said. She taught him the same thing, and he is dead today.”
By the time Lemon finished his show, things between black men and white police officers went from bad to worse. Snipers shot and killed five police officers “ambush-style” while Black Lives Matter members and other civilians were protesting in Dallas Thursday night. Six people were also seriously injured.
By early Friday morning, three criminals were captured, and Police is still in negotiation with another, who has refused to surrender.
