MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough said Monday that the news media has done a “grave disservice” to police officers by pushing a narrative that “[police are] just going around looking to shoot and kill black people.”
Scarborough’s comment was in response to coverage of five NFL St. Louis Rams players who, ahead of their game Sunday, raised their hands above their heads, a gesture that was frequently used by protesters in Ferguson and elsewhere following the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in an altercation with officer Darren Wilson.
The gesture became a symbol for anger among people who believe Brown, who was black and unarmed at the time he was shot, was wrongfully killed by Wilson, who is caucasian.
“You don’t usually hear me blaming the media for stuff but it has been extraordinarily irresponsible over the past several months,” Scarborough said.
“For some reason, the media attaches to these narratives that will stir up further protests and I’ve got to say I just got to a tipping point this weekend.”
Scarborough continued, “We are doing such a grave disservice to police officers in this country by pushing a narrative that they’re just going around looking to shoot and kill black people.”
A grand jury concluded there was insufficient evidence on which to indict Wilson, who claimed he acted in self-defense.
“I have sat here quietly and listened to B.S. being spewed all over this network and all over other networks,” Scarborough said. “I can’t take it anymore.”
