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Attorney Riddle’s thoughts of race relations are echoed of many throughout the country. Race relations are becoming more intense and the colors of skin are starting to create barriers. Attorney Riddle expresses that in order to move forward, healing must take place and relationships will have to be built amongst each other in order to move into a true post-racial nation.
While assessing race relations in its current state, Attorney Riddle expressed that it is lower than it has ever been.
“ Some progress was made in the 1960's and 1970's. It started to decline in the 1980's & 1990's. Due to recent events it has become worse. I feel that it is okay for people to have different views of religion and other matters. I feel that it is okay for people to love differently, live differently, believe differently, and to do things differently. However, the government it is the not answer to solve these issues. It has to be the will of the community to come together to make a change.”
Expanding on the topic race relations, Attorney Riddle touched on the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis.
Two law enforcement officers, Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr., killed Mardis in Avoyelles Parish. Mardis’ father, Jeremy Few was involved in a traffic stop gone awry. On a dead end street in the midst of the traffic stop, gunfire was opened on Few’s car. Within the rounds, Mardis’ was struck and killed.
Mardis’ death sparked outrage and opened conversation about race. Mardis who is white, and Stafford and Greenhouse who are both black, opened the conversation of race due to recent events where some felt as if the media coverage wasn’t adequate as if the situation was reversed.
Attorney Riddle says that the incident of Mardis’ death has hurt race relations severely throughout the parish and that the state of Louisiana has taken a “big setback” with race relations.
Attorney Riddle emphasizes that change must start with the citizens of Avoyelles Parish. He also emphasizes that better relationships must be built in order to move forward.
As the district attorney of Avoyelles Parish, Attorney Riddle’s heart is pure, and he is for the citizens of Avoyelles Parish. He is comfortable with every area of the parish and is comfortable with all ethnicities.
Attorney Riddle does not plan to retire soon and is planning to run for one more term in the year 2020.