Former RNC chair: 'A black man's life is not worth a ham sandwich'

Former RNC chair Michael Steele told MSNBC on Wednesday that the Eric Garner grand jury decision is "part of the same narrative" as the decision in Ferguson. And that narrative is devaluing the lives of black Americans.

"They tell us, at least, a prosecutor can indict a ham sandwich," Steele said. "Well, clearly, a black man's life is not worth a ham sandwich when you put these stories together. And that is the frustration that a lot of African-Americans see."

Steele added that cases like these two should be sent to a jury, because otherwise, they reinforce the notion that black Americans aren't treated equally.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up