Jon Stewart On Eric Garner Verdict: ‘We’re Not Living In A Post-Racial Society’ [Video]


As the Eric Garner case received a decision by the Grand Jury, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart was figuring out how to address his audience. The Daily Show is considered political satire, but with Stewart guiding things, we have seen poignant moments come out of his speeches during times when the public needs them the most.

Last night’s show was one of those moments, and for the first time in a long time, Stewart was speechless. An emotional Stewart addressed his audience about the police officer not getting indicted after putting Eric Garner in a chokehold, which lead to Garner’s untimely death.

Stewart decided to show the footage of Garner that we have all seen. Before this verdict was read, there was some hope or belief that cameras installed into a cop’s uniform would make a difference. Garner’s murder was filmed, and in the end, we saw the same verdict as we did with the Ferguson shooting. The fact that it was filmed made no difference at all.

Due to this verdict being so close to the Ferguson controversy Stewart stated, “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what to say. If comedy is tragedy plus time, I need more f–king time. I would really settle for less f—ing tragedy to be honest with you. I think what is so utterly depressing is none of the ambiguity that existed in the Ferguson case exists in the Staten Island case, yet the outcome is exactly the same.”

The Daily Show host offered his opinion on our society as a whole in the wake of these two rulings.

“We are definitely not living in a post-racial society. And I bet there are a lot of people out there wondering how much of a society we are living in at all. I don’t know what to say. It just happened, so I have not had a chance to digest it.”

Do you agree with Jon Stewart’s comments? Here’s a few social media reactions thus far.

[Image via screen grab]

Share this article: Jon Stewart On Eric Garner Verdict: ‘We’re Not Living In A Post-Racial Society’ [Video]
More from Inquisitr