Doug Martin’s family is claiming that police brutality—yes, you heard that right—allegedly played a “substantial” role in his untimely death. They’re not just mourning; they’re going straight to court, suing the city of Oakland and the officers involved. But let’s take a moment to dissect this scenario and the predictable media reaction.

First, how does the mainstream media handle these sensitive cases? Look at CNN and NBC—they’re going to carry this story, but they’ll frame it through the lens of societal issues, pushing their usual narrative that suggests systemic racism is the root cause. They’ll gloss over the fact that excessive force isn’t just a black-and-white issue; it’s complex and multifaceted, but that nuance doesn’t fit their narrative. The objective? To keep you outraged, all while taking a nice little detour from any discussion of personal accountability.

Then there’s Fox News, which might show a tad more skepticism about the police but often end up sensationalizing these incidents for ratings. They dive into the “bad cop” narrative, neglecting to explore how many officers are put in life-or-death situations daily. Understanding that the majority do their jobs honorably doesn’t make for compelling television, does it?

The truth is, both sides are playing the same game, just with different uniforms. The Martin family’s lawsuit deserves a fair hearing away from the spotlight of conflict-driven media. It’s time we demand more balanced coverage backed by facts, instead of sensationalist agendas that push us further apart.