Rodney King's Death & Urban Half-Life

Rodney King was found today in a pool. Police suspect no foul play

Nadra Enzi, a moderate-conservative Republican blogger in New Orleans, writes about Rodney King's death at age 47: "Rodney King was a lodestone which drew out the poisons and promise of the American body politic. There was no middle ground about him - some loved him; others hated him with equal passion."

He continues his commentary: "His case and turbulent life epitomized what Black men can become if we aren't extraordinarily careful: victims of bad choices colliding with bad actors from the larger community. Conservative friends, mostly White, feel King deserved the near fatal lynching he received that epic night. While also a supporter of good conduct and police, I differ. If a California monster like Charles Manson wasn't beaten within an inch of his life for ritual murder of a pregnant woman, how can King's video taped beating be justified?"

More commentary from Mr. Enzi, about Rodney King's life: "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."