Because all of the details of the Oscar Grant Shooting have yet to be revealed, I am hesitant to give an unwavering opinion on the case. Too often, the people who are not in blue are treated as guilty before proven innocent and I am loathe to do that, even when all of the visual evidence makes it pretty clear that a grave injustice occurred on that subway platform in Oakland.

So, I will just make a few points here, knowing that in the days and weeks to come, my opinions may be rendered moot by new revelations in the case.

1) Any cop who does not know the difference between a gun and a Taser should not be carrying either. At close range, a gun is most likely a life taker and an eternal life changer. A Taser, except in the most unfortunate of cases, incapacitates but leaves wiggle room for mistakes or bad judgment.

I am stating this under the assumption that Mehserle, the officer in question, was intent on using a Taser when he reached for his holster and not his gun. This also assumes that the officer actually had a Taser on his person. As of now, this is not an absolute.

If in fact the officer was reaching for his Taser and not his gun, what was the urgency of the situation that did not allow him to ensure that he had the correct weapon in hand?

2) If it is proven that the officer was not in possession of a Taser or that he had intended on using his gun, then anything less than a second degree murder charge will certainly threaten to resurrect the ire and destructive frustration that years ago caused the city of Los Angeles to erupt in flames. And rightfully so.

3) What was Oscar Grant III, who on the grainy video appears to be complying as he lay prostrate on the subway platform, doing that would cause the officer to reach for his weapon and negligently or maliciously shoot and kill the young man and father? By all accounts, he was not being belligerent or recklessly disobeying the police officers’ orders. It will be interesting to hear what the officers in question have to say about Mr. Grant’s demeanor and compliance during that time.

Two months ago, it seems our fears were slightly mollified by the election of a man who, for many, was seen as the beacon of hope for humanity and the harbinger of change. The needless death of a young father at the birth of this new year shows us that the change we so crave may still be a long time coming.

Richard Pryor was considered a master of his craft and is still considered by most to be the best comedian to ever pick up a microphone. I believe it was his ability to explicate the sorrows and pain of men while at the same time making his audience hunch over with laughter at the gross inequities of life that made him the genius that was so revered by his peers. I think the clip below is an example of this. It is also an example of how sad it is that something someone stated over 30 years ago is still so relevant today.

Niggers vs. the Police (Richard Pryor 1974)