Furor Over S.C. Trooper Racism Forces Resignations

March 3rd, 2008

The state’s Black lawmakers say they were shocked to see the videotape.
South Carolina’s No. 1 safety official and its top cop were forced to hand in their resignations to the governor Friday after African-American members of the state Legislature got hold of a 4-year-old videotape from a police cruiser showing a White officer using the “N”-word during a traffic stop and threatening to kill a Black suspect after a gun was found in his car. In 2004, South Carolina Department of Public Safety Director James Schweitzer and Highway Patrol Colonel Russell Roark reprimanded the officer by suspending him for 12 hours and making him take training in diversity and anger management. When challenged at the time for the seemingly light punishment, Schweitzer said, “I’ve made hundreds and hundreds of decisions in the last four years” and that he was sticking with the penalty. Representative Leon Howard, of the State Legislative Black Caucus, told Hatzel Zela of Live 5 News in Charleston, “When that trooper said, you better run ‘N,’ because I’m fixing to kill you. I really couldn’t sleep for days. I just couldn’t believe South Carolina would have anyone working in our law enforcement with that type of mentality. That type of behavior will not be tolerated. Our citizens will not be disrespected. They’re there to protect the citizens and not harass the citizens.” By the way, the trooper is still working as a highway patrolman. Should they have been forced to resign?

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Comments

grinchard2003 said on March 3rd, 2008

I live in South Carolina; what else is new about this hick state?! They are all very racist. Even the black cops hate blacks. They feel that they are blue!lol

Nay said on March 3rd, 2008

This is degrading, not only to the victim of this incident but also to the officer. FIRE HIM, make an example of him maybe…hopefully, this nonsense will stop.

sylvia said on March 3rd, 2008

of course they should be fired. I would have been fired for doing a lot less. This type of attitude should not be tolerated. Even if it was a black officer who made the comments

Swee-d said on March 3rd, 2008

Why are they keeping his name private???

TP - Philly said on March 3rd, 2008

You know, I read this and feel for the victims involved. But REALITY is, rasism will never stop. So what can you, I, we, do to stop it. NOTHING.
Don’t call me hopeless though, this is just life and I come to accept things for what they are. But don’t get it twisted, of course I want justice.

MDC said on March 3rd, 2008

Yes they should have resigned. The person this happen to should file charges against this cop that did this to him. They suspended kids from school for telling fellowing students they are going to kill them so a person thats suppose to protect all and responds like that to a citizen is subject to the law. How can he( the cop) serve the public at all being biased against Black Americans when we are a part of America as much as anyone else. We are inventors, scholars,mothers, daughter fathers, sons, and so much more. With the spin of bad media since ever blacks are looked at as criminals and no good. We are looked at as guilty and not innocent. This is how the cop looked at this guy and probably all black people , probably all minorites so they call us anyway. Propaganda! I say Justice. Prosecute them just like they love doing us. Make an example out of them.

Double "R" said on March 3rd, 2008

Many want to believe that racism doesn’t exist, we know in our heart that it does, but there is no end in sight but we can overcome it. It only shows signs of our progression and some of their needs for our possessions, our strength, our pride and our tolerance. Some may not count us, but they will never be able to count us out.

Life Power!!!!

tw said on March 3rd, 2008

Let me ask you all a question? What do you think BET only puts stuff like this on this website?

Instead of REAL issues and real concerns?

BET IS NO LONGER BLACK OWNED !!!

We know WHITE THINGS will NEVER change …YOU CAN NOT CHANGE WHO YOU ARE BY NATURE !! WE NEED TO CHANGE …WE NEED TO STOP CONTRUBUTING TO OUR OWN DEMISE BY BEING A PART OF THEIR LIFESTYLE AND THINKING.

To the White BET owners …you don’t need to tell us EVERYDAY how evil you are …we already know. You don’t need to continue to spread dispare to us by trying to daily let it be known you think we should stay in FEAR of you and your doings …tell that to you people …if thats what you are.

Itsie said on March 3rd, 2008

Should they have been forced to resign?
Should this question even be asked?

Pamela said on March 3rd, 2008

tw, so true. It’s as if they are compiling info to our feelings and strengths and they will act upon that data.

TDSPILLS said on March 3rd, 2008

BY LETTING THEM RESIGN. THEY CAN GO AND GET A JOB THE SAME DAY IN THE NEXT COUNTY OR STATE NO PROBLEM THIS IS SAD…BUT AS BLACK WE ARE FIRED AND WHITE GET TO RESIGN AND KEEP THERE GOOD NAMER 30;.JOKE …A RE YOU TRUELY FREE

whitegirl said on March 3rd, 2008

this is a out rage when will it stop why are we as blacks hated so much what have we done nothing. its 2 many haters aganist us blacks and it’s sad when your own kind hates you!

Gary in Pismo said on March 3rd, 2008

Here we are ONCE AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN a WHITE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER somewhere in America has ONCE AGAIN displayed hateful, aggressive, violent behavior towards a person of color and ONCE AGAIN the WHITE AUTHORITY OFFICIALS responsible to deal it decide ONCE AGAIN that it’s not big a deal. So ONCE AGAIN it will be in the news for a few days until the Grammy Awards or a new movie by Denzel or Obama says something quote worthy and ONCE AGAIN we will be diverted to another entertaining topic until ONCE AGAIN another WHITE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER decides to do it…ONCE AGAIN!

Justice said on March 3rd, 2008

These types of injustice need to be brought to the worlds attention not just S.C. If you did something or said something that was hateful you would disappear. This is sad. You will never hear about this on National TV

mollie said on March 3rd, 2008

I’m not surprise in South Carolina. They still have a flag that shows we as black american are not wanted.

M & M said on March 3rd, 2008

The police and the lawmakers including the judges are KKK members and they are not in the interest of Black people. You put down your defenses and weapons too fast to people you know are out to kill you, your kids and your thought of freedom but you will not trust in a GOD that will help you have the courage to see them as who they are–killers, murderers, the devil, heartless people and “white people”. After that you know what to do. GET EVEN.

konchee moore said on March 3rd, 2008

TELL U THE TRUTH I TOUGHT ALL THIS HAD STOP ALREADY ALL THIS RAICST GOT TO STOP WE R FREE AND WE DOING OUR OWN THING NOW AND ALL SO IT LIKES OF BLACKS AND WHITE R DATING AND THEY R HAPPY..ONE THEY DO NEED TO BE FIRED CAUSE THATS NOT CALL FOR WAT THEY DOING AND THEY HAVING LEARN YET FOR FIRST I MILLION TIME WHEN THEY TREAT THAT PREGANT WRONG AND RODNEY KING AND SO OWN. WE POST TO BE EQUAL AS ONE… GOD DIDNT BRING US HERE TO HATE HE SEND US TO GET ALONG AND KNOW ONE OF ANOTHER AND TEACH OUR KIDS THE RIGHT WAY AND LET OUR KIDS GET ALONG AND TO BE FRIENDS…OUR KIDS DONT WANT TO SEE THAT OR HEAR ABOUT STUFF LIKE RAICST AND SO ON. IT GOING TO BE TIME OUR KIDS CANT TRUST POLICE ANY MORE CAUSE THEY GOING TO BE AFAIRD TO GO TO THEM..CAUSE IT DONT MAKE ANY SINCE AT ALL. IT SEEM LIKE THIS WHITE COP’S DO WATEVER THEY LIKE AND THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH I THATS NOT FAIR AT. NW IF WE DO IT THEY WILL FIRED THEM IN A HURT BEAT….THATS SAD THAT WE CANT TRUST THEM AT ALL THEY NEED TO PUT A STOP TO IT FAST BEFORE SOMEBODY GET HURT AGAIN. JUST LIKE THESE BOYS IN FORT LAUDERDALE THEY GOT SHOT BY COPS AND AND NOTHER GUY HE WAS KIILED AND ANOTHER ONE HE JUST OUTSIDE WAITING FOR HE CLOTHES FINISH AND POLICE THAT HE WAS DOING SOMETHIN WRONG AND HE WAS HE JUST STANDING OR WALK AND THE COP START BOTHER HIM AND KILLED HIM AND THE BOY BROTHER SAY THEY THOUGH HE HAD GUN ON HIM AND HE SHOT AND KILL THE BOY FOR NOTHING THATS SAID AND THEY TAKING IT TO FALL NOW IT’S LIKE ITS WAT TO THEM THEY GOING TO DO WAT THEY WANT CAUSE THEY GOT A BAGDGE. THIS NEED TO STOP CAUSE ITS TO MANY YOUNG BLACK MALES AND OLDER BLACK MALES GETTING KILLED OR GETTING MISTREATED AND ETC IT NEED TO STOP EVER TIME U TURN AROUND SOMEBODY PARENTS OR FAMILY ARE BURING THERE SON’S OR HUSBAND AND THAT DONT MAKE NO CENTS AT ALL CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG CAUSE GOD WOULD LIKE FOR US TO GET ALONG AND MARTIN L. KING HE WANT THE SAME AND WE R FREE…SAME THING THAT HAPPEN TO ME AT WORK I WORK AT CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS OLD WHITE GUY CALL ME A N WORD I WAS SHOCK THAT HE SAD THAT SO I REPORT HIM AND MY MANGER TOOK CARE IT CAUSE NO LONG CANT COME BACK IN THAT STORE NO MORE. IT HURT ME TO MY HEART HE SAID THAT BUT THATS OKAY GOD GUIDE ME THOUGH…ALL I WANT TO SAY THIS RAICST GOT TO STOP RIGHT NOW LIFE IS TO SHORT FOR THIS LETS ALL GET ALONG.

Tiwana said on March 3rd, 2008

The reason why we as so- called blacks go through these things is found in Deteronony 28:15-68
Deuteronomy 28:47
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. America is not the only captivity we have been in for four hundred years. Genesis 15:13
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
just droping some knowledge … Shalom

Tiwana said on March 3rd, 2008

Our people have been so caught up in mind control that we as have no Ideal of our true Identity. You have been led to believe lies and fables. II Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (KJV)
You are not Black, Negroe, African American or Afo- American but Hebrew … Wake up please and see that your true identity has been stolen from you like everything else. The Bible is your History book… read it.
more knowledge … Shalom

Tom said on March 3rd, 2008

I moved to South Carolina when I retired the cost of living is low but the State has a lot to learn I saw a woman who said she was a Christian pick up an Iron pipe to hit a man with whom has Aids she fast the day before and has all kinds of Jesus figerine on her desk along with a bible. And they call this place the bible belt. I find these Jesus Freaks horrible.

YouKnowMe said on March 3rd, 2008

What is the name of the caucasian officer who made the remarks? Why wasn’t his name released?

charla said on March 3rd, 2008

I did not know that BET’s Owner’s are White,,And if the is true that would explain a lot as to why we see the mess that is on BET,Our children need to see more history programs,not these video’s with all this mess of songs that really dont show them anything.and the negetive that BET show,,So what do we as a people do? find out the owner’s and demand that they show something that is positive as to how we truly live,,not everyone grew up in the street’s or ghetto’s

Tiwana said on March 3rd, 2008

In response to Tom, don’t let hypocrites discourage you! get to know the word for yourself then you will know who is really walking the walk and talking “thus saith the Lord” and not their own mind or from their emotions… you know the type … they say stuff like … well, what I think or what I feel is: Obedience to the Most High has nothing to do with what we think or feel. it’s about faith … acting on what the lord says without your (plural term for all of us) two cent input. Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

when we are doing what the Lord says, then we should speak on his word. not just toteing bibles and quoting scriptures like parrots trying to out do one another.
Shalom (peace)

Margaret said on March 3rd, 2008

Yes they should resigned.

anita said on March 3rd, 2008

why did it take four years??????
They both should be fired period. Why are things like this still accepted??????? We as a country look BAD

pennie said on March 3rd, 2008

This is a damm shame,. We still have this bull s@#t going down luckly they found the tape. Whites always think we are lying on them, now that it is cought on tape I think he should be fire F#$k retrainned. Retrainned for what so he can do us worser, and then turn off the camera the next time he stop a black person., Next time he will kill one of us.

Terence said on March 4th, 2008

Believe me my black brothas & sistas we are headed for REVOLUTION. First because of The Economy and then because of stories such as these. The American Dollar is declining in value and CEO`s are moving their businesses abroad for CHEAP LABOR. Revolution is right around the corner; you can take it or leave it.

Keyata Duckett from the Burgh said on March 4th, 2008

One Word “PITIFUL”

I B 4 US said on March 4th, 2008

I am a South Carolina resident and I can say from experience down here in South Carolina racism is here and it doesn’t look like it is going to change anytime soon. Most of the cities are little country towns with hickory cops running them. If a black a person look like they have money it is nothing for the white cops to pull them over, search there car, and arrest them. I was pulled over for speeding on the hwy. coming through a country town and my whole life was destroyed just like that. The white cop wanted to search my car off top because he probaly figure that I couldn’t afford my car. He claimed he found weed in my trunk and called the department of social services to take my baby just like that and he wanted to seize my car. They wouldn’t even my baby to my mother, they had rather put him in a foster home and make me suffer. All for what? Because I am a black young hard working women about to graduate from college. They couldn’t seize my car because it was official and my mother had to get temporary custody of my baby two months after having to fight with social services all because we were coming through a racist little town.

Frances Brown said on March 4th, 2008

Black people, black people,

You&# 8217;re making me sick. Why in the world are you so surprised how black people are treated in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, etc? South Carolina, Georgia, Florida are the worse states when it comes to being “r acist 221;.

Yes, there are black people who actually hate one another because their hair is long and straight, light skin, etc. As a black race, we are truly “pitiful”. Unity. Unity.

I B 4 US, God sees all and He knows all. The
cop(s) and anybody that were involved, you will hear about their drama”. A lot of people, especially those in high places, feel like God only loves their family.

Will said on March 4th, 2008

This happens in every city in the U.S. It’s nothing new, Police comes from overseers of slave when they ran away. Police gets away with so much stuff until it’s like the new KKK in uniform..
BLACK PEOPLE in the words of Mr. Tupac ” KEEP YOUR HEAD UP “

Ralph said on March 4th, 2008

OK lets see…. We have a black drug dealer with drugs and a gun in the car that runs into the woods….. the officer gives chase!!! dont have to but he does….. He says the word Ni**e* and people lose there mind… They forget that Black people call each other that all day long… in rap songs tv.. movies.. you want that word to die then You start by not saying it your self.. as far as i care all dope dealing son of a B*&%$s should be shot they ruin our youth… I am not white or black and not a cop… but people hate cops until you need one then they dont get there fast enough… He said the N- word wow the world is going to end…. Please get over it…. We give people the power by letting what they say bother us… its a word get over it…

Nothing Change said on March 4th, 2008

Not surprise or shock at this at all, the south is just like that and this country. Everyone saying go Obama, but this country is not ready for a black man in the White House, so no matter how happy black folks might be because he winning the race now, come November its gonna be the same ole story. They will kill a ni66er b4 they see him in the W/H

Alicia said on March 4th, 2008

YES! If he was black and it was a white person that was being threatened there would be no question he would be in jail or somethin.

Stephanie said on March 6th, 2008

Yes. I think the officer should be put into jail to think about what he did. BLACK PEOPLE NEED TO STAND UP FOR WHAT”S RIGHT!!!

Lucious said on March 6th, 2008

Yes,he shouldn’t be working for any job dealing with the public.People like that need therapy.Where’s the love????

Melva said on March 6th, 2008

This kind of behavior is common among our police officers. I do agree with those who say this man should not be dealing with the public.

jody92006 said on March 7th, 2008

I SAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK OFFICERS A LITTLE MORE OF THIS THEN WE MIGHT GET ENOUGH OUTRAGE TO DRAW OUR PEOPLE TOGETHER LIKE THIS ELECTION THE TURNOUT IS SO EMMENSE THAT THEY ALMOST CANT HIDE ALL THE VOTES FOR THE BROTHER THIS ALL BECAUSE OF OUR GREAT PRES.BUSH AND THE HELL WE BEEN THROUGH THESE 8 YEARS THINGS LIKE THAT DONT HAPPEN FOR NOTHING HEY I SAY BRING ON THE KAOS BABBY WE JUST GET STRONGER

Tony said on March 8th, 2008

I am a police officer, I feel that no one is above the law. The officer should have been fired, and yes the two officials should step down for letting this happen in the first. As officers’ we hold certain ethical standards that should help us better our way of performing our duties. If a badge is tarnished, then it will stay tarnished. However, if you keep it polished then it will shine forever. Meaning, if you use the badge for the wrong reasons, then you have not only made yourself look bad, but you have also made your agency and other agencies look like crap. Put if you hold yourself to higher standards by performing your job in the way you were taught in the academy, then you will represent your family, your department and your community in way that would make everyone proud. I love my job, and I love serving my community in way that my mother, my academy and my superiors have taught me. You see: I have learned to wear the badge and not let the badge wear ME! Please everyone, pray for the officers that are doing the right thing. And take the time out for at least thanking an officer for doing his/her job by shaking his/her hand.

Scotland said on June 17th, 2008

There seems to be a sharp divide in the attitudes and personalities between blacks and whites in the US even to a tourist!

WILLIAM said on February 24th, 2009

THAT IS REALLY SAD!

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