Dom Giordano Talks To Missouri State Senator About Ferguson And Race Relations
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal joined Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT to discuss statements she made that St. Louis was experiencing a race war following the grand jury's decision in Ferguson, MO not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown.
Chappelle-Nadal flatly rejected the claim that America is post-racial nation.
"I can speak from my own experience that that is absolutely incorrect because of how my own Democratic Party has treated me individually. That is why I'm concerned about the people in my community, who are obviously treated differently. All you have to do is look at the number of stops and arrests in Ferguson and you can tell that African-Americans are stopped more, even without any offenses whatsoever. What's really telling, when you look at the statistics, you have more Caucasians who have drug paraphernalia and guns who are stopped and they're never arrested. However, when African-Americans are stopped without any paraphernalia whatsoever they're still arrested. So we're looking at the statistics and obviously there is a disconnect between the two races and we need to talk about it openly and honestly."
She stated that the truth about what actually happened that day may never come out, but the nation needs to begin the healing process.
"What I know is that there were 12 shots that were fired. What I know is that the fatal shot was at the top of his head. So, was it 35 feet apart or was it 100 feet apart? You and I don't know that, the jury doesn't really know that. They're only estimating and they made the best decision that they could and we have to honor that and respect that and move on. Right now, what America needs to do is try to find resolve so that we do not have these racial tensions and that's what I'm committed to."
Chappelle-Nadal, whose own office was burned, also spoke out against the looting and rioting that have taken place in Ferguson since the shooting of Brown occurred in August.
"Anyone who participates in looting or destructing property, personal property or business property; that act is inexcusable and it shall not be tolerated whatsoever... I have refused to be with anyone who is either rioting or looting or destroying businesses because small business is the foundation of America, in my belief."