Black LSU Football Player's Harassment

"If I didn't tell those incompetent officers that I was an LSU football player, there's no telling if I wouldn't be here to tell my story", said LSU football player Koy Moore. Why are those words so important to a young Black man who was stopped by cops that hasn't (as of press time) been explained by law enforcement officials in Baton Rouge or the mayor, as to why Moore was stopped. It only adds to the narrative of how Black men are continued to be signaled out by police officers, adding further distrust between them and the Black community. According to Moore, he was approached by officers Saturday night (Nov.7), who pulled their guns on him, demanding that he surrender a weapon(gun) and drugs that he was accused of having on him. Nothing in the media report or by officials mentioned why Moore was approached and what was said by officers before questioning him about having alleged drugs and a gun on his person. Moore said that officers "tried to unzip" his pants in search of a weapon, despite Moore's insistence that he wasn't armed. An investigation is underway by Baton Rouge Police officials, giving credence to Moore's statements that something happened to him Saturday night. As a result of the investigation being underway, three officers have been placed on administrative leave. Police Chief Murphy Paul said that, he "pledge a thorough investigation", adding that "accountability and transparency" are critical in building trust with the community". Baton Rouge mayor, Sharon Weston Broome said that Moore's allegations are "taken seriously" and that "we will get to the bottom" of the situation and keep the lines of communication open to the community. The most telling comments might have come from LSU Coach Ed Orgeron when he said, "We must work collectively to embrace our differences. We have to listen, learn and come together to combat social injustice and racism if we are to create a safer and more equitable society for all people". Orgeron may have to come back and clarify his words, especially the "social injustice and racism" part. Was Moore's stop by officers that of racial profiling? How many times do the Black or white community ever hear of a white man being stopped and literally held hostage for not committing a crime? Orgeron, a white coach at a predominately white prominent university knows that Black parents trust him to "look after" their sons who wear the Purple and Gold. His voice can carry a lot of weight within the white community. Nevertheless, Moore or any of us shouldn't have to tell police officers what their status (LSU football player) is, hoping that we can go on our way without the fear of being harassed. Moore also said something else that is very real and true. He said. "I could have lost my life, and I know for a fact, nothing would have happened to the guys (police officers) who did it. As some celebrate the election of a new president, understand that the real problem (killing of Black men by white police officers) has not changed. Wisdom from a young Black man who is speaking from firsthand knowledge. We keep hearing about trust from mayors and police chiefs, but none of the bridging racial divide that is continuing, will not get any better until the Black community sees rouge police officers not only lose their jobs, but end up behind prison bars. Then, we can brag about equal justice for all.