Rodney King’s ‘turbulent life epitomized what Black men can become if we aren’t extraordinarily careful’

Nadra Enzi writes:

His absence of good decision making and lawful habits provided detractors with ample ammo to shoot holes in innocence claims.

He suffered from what I call ‘urban half-life’ where self-destructive behavior rises to the level of secular worship.

Rodney King was many things: criminal; addict; symbol.

He didn’t deserve what the LAPD did to him in 1991.

He also deserved better than the urban half-life he condemned himself to.

Brothers should look long and hard at this man’s life and realize that fame and settlement money mean nothing if you still choose urban half-life.”

PLUS — Black & Right notes:

While no one deserved the beating received, one can only imagine how different the world would be today if Rodney King had just obeyed the law that fateful night.

While StuffBlackPeopleDon’tLife offers up “A Tale of Two Kings”