This past week, former NFL star Joe McKnight was shot and killed in a road rage incident in New Orleans. It is quite upsetting especially that someone who had so much more potential had to be taken away too soon. Now, some may think of it as a racial issue. I am here to say that this is not a racial issue whatsoever, despite there being heavy social media traffic on that subject. McKnight is black and the shooter, Ronald Gasser is white.
This isn't an issue about race. Louisiana Sheriff Newell Normand claimed that a former Jefferson Parish deputy sheriff raised McKnight. It’s not entirely clear why the occupation of an adult who raised McKnight would insulate race from playing a role in McKnight’s death or in the investigation of it. If anything, that connection raises questions as to whether the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office can fairly investigate the death of a former employee’s dependent.
Race could take on more significance depending on evidence and witness testimony. For instance, if evidence surfaces that Gasser may have shot McKnight at least partly due to McKnight’s race, the possibility of a hate crime would enter the discussion. Yes, there was a heated exchange of words before the shots were fired, that could mean anything. Were the shots intentional? Probably. But, that does not mean that the color of McKnight's skin caused Gasser to pull the trigger.
Being a black person and listening to these kinds of stories on a daily basis really makes me think about how society is today. I understand that, to some, African-Americans are not as superior as the Caucasians, but that shouldn't indicate that we should be treated as inferior. I have seen several people of color strive for success whether it is through football, business, school, etc. And yet, people still treat us like we are nothing. It makes me sick.
To Gassner: You shouldn't get released after you just shot somebody to death. Now all of a sudden you're back on the street? What if it happens again? It has nothing to do with race — white and black, brown, purple — regardless, somebody that just did that shouldn't be on the street. At least have them in custody. You don't have to be in handcuffs, but at least have them until you figure out what's going on.
This disgusts me.
As for McKnight himself, he was a standout at USC before playing for the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs. Before his death, he played a few games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.
This death comes months after the death of former Saints star Will Smith, who's murderer Cardell Hayes was supposed to be on trial soon, that could get pushed back due to Gasser's trial.
Again, this isn't a matter about race. It's about why Gasser should not be walking free after killing somebody. All lives should be protected from murder, no matter the color.
