Don Lemon on 'Thug Cycle': "I’m a truth-teller, not a race-protector"
A video of an African-American toddler unleashing a barrage of profanity has gone viral in recent days after a Omaha, Nebraska police union posted it on their website . Their reasoning? The union claims it is an example of a continuing trend, which they call 'the thug cycle.'
An outcry ensued from the public, accusing the police union of being racist and perpetuating stereotypes of black men as criminals.
The face of the minor was not blurred and was originally posted on Facebook by a relative who found the child's profanity humorous.
We caught up with CNN's Don Lemon, who was OutFront on the 'thug cycle' story, and sparked a discussion about the word 'thug.'
OUTFRONT: Why was the story of Omaha 'Thug Cycle' video important to you?
OUTFRONT: Why was the story of Omaha 'Thug Cycle' video important to you?
LEMON: The story was important to me obviously because it’s so outrageous. That could have been me or my two great-nephews. One is just out of diapers. The other is a new born. I couldn’t imagine anyone ever treating them like that. I don’t know what I’d do to someone if they even tried. And they’re not even my children. Every child should have advocates. And the only way I know to advocate for that child and others like him is through my work. And that means doing the story and shining a light on it.
An outcry ensued from the public, accusing the police union of being racist and perpetuating stereotypes of black men as criminals.
The face of the minor was not blurred and was originally posted on Facebook by a relative who found the child's profanity humorous.
We caught up with CNN's Don Lemon, who was OutFront on the 'thug cycle' story, and sparked a discussion about the word 'thug.'
OUTFRONT: Why was the story of Omaha 'Thug Cycle' video important to you?
OUTFRONT: Why was the story of Omaha 'Thug Cycle' video important to you?
LEMON: The story was important to me obviously because it’s so outrageous. That could have been me or my two great-nephews. One is just out of diapers. The other is a new born. I couldn’t imagine anyone ever treating them like that. I don’t know what I’d do to someone if they even tried. And they’re not even my children. Every child should have advocates. And the only way I know to advocate for that child and others like him is through my work. And that means doing the story and shining a light on it.
I am not a donLemon backer BUT on this issue of thuggish, vile, decadent, filthy mouthed children, their thuggish,vile, decadent, filthy mouthed parents should be arrested for child abuse.......