Ok my two cents on everything I've read so far...It isn't so much that I would call out people for being flat out racist, but I do honestly believe that there has been a degree of racial insensitivity shown in some of the posts in this thread and in many others. There are a couple of things that need to be said.
1) Some of you guys in this thread don't have the experiences that others may have as it relates to the issue of cops and the use of deadly/excessive force. I've been pulled over in a new car, having done nothing wrong and ended up with my head on the hood being searched, only to have an officer bullshit and say my tail light was out. I've been thrown on the hood of a cop car with a group of friends after reporting a crime because the cops assumed we were the ones responsible. My best friend is an LAPD officer. I was the best man in his wedding and the thing I worried most about him is that the job forces you to be on high alert all the time and people make mistakes sometimes. So, I understand that not all cops are killers of PEOPLE, but I'm not going to sit here and say that everything they say or do is appropriate or true. That's based on my experiences.
2) Stop with the petty bullshit. The shit about lyrics from Killer Mike and the sarcastic comments that have been made are just that, petty. You don't have to like them, but first take the time to research and get a feel for the person and where they are coming from. Some of you implying that hip-hop is the problem need to do some research and look at artists that normally aren't on the radio.
3) To downplay race in this country simply because we have a black man in the oval office is to be completely ignorant to race relations in this country. Do we honestly believe it still isn't an issue because of this? I know people who voted for Obama who would still walk to the other side of the street if two black males were walking in their direction. Racism isn't so much the blatant, in-your-face kind that it was 50 years ago.
On BOTH ends, if you aren't capable of discussing these kinds of topics in a civil manner, please take a seat. There are some people in here that I think highly of, but you're starting to ruin that. Be productive with your commentary and discussion, seriously.