Charles Barkley: Michael Brown looters are ‘scumbags,’ criticizes media and stereotypes
Charles Barkley voiced support for law enforcement and criticized the media following a grand jury’s decision against indicting then-Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown. He slammed those who looted the Ferguson, Missouri, stores, calling them “scumbags.”
“There’s a perception among some black people that if you’re not a thug or hood rat or if you don’t war your pants around by your ass, you’re not black enough. They’re always holding us back, plain and simple.”
Barkley said that there are so many media narratives that it’s tough to know what really happened between former officer Darren Wilson and Brown and that he wants “to take the time as a responsible person” to read the grand jury statement more closely.
Michael Brown linked to robbery moments before shooting, media knew but dismissed it at “rumor”
“The true story came out from the grand jury testimony,” Barkley said told host Mike Missanelli. “I can’t believe anything I hear on television anymore. And, that’s why I don’t like talking about race issues with the media anymore, because they [the media] love this stuff, and lead people to jump to conclusions. The media shouldn’t do that. They never do that when black people kill each other. ”
“I’m not saying who’s right or wrong, I’m just hearing the true story that came out of the grand jury investigation,” he said. “We have to be really careful with the cops, man, because if it wasn’t for the cops we’d be living in the Wild Wild West in our neighborhoods. I think we can’t pick out certain incidents that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad. I hate when we do that. Think about it: Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn’t for the cops?” he said while speaking with radio host Mike Missanelli for Philadelphia’s 97.5 The Fanatic.
Barkley also called looters “scumbags” and said the action was pointless.
“It’s no excuse for people to go out there burning down people’s businesses, burning down police cars. That serves no purpose. That serves no purpose whatsoever.”
