Riot not just about shooting Florida violence: Implications concern the state of race relations nationally.

AMERICANS SHOULD know by now that race riots aren't really about the specific incident that sparked the violence. The National Guard had to be brought in after 11 people were injured during rioting in St. Petersburg, Fla., that followed the fatal shooting Thursday of a black motorist by a white police officer. African Americans questioned not only the officer's need to shoot the unarmed man, but also whether they could expect justice if the policeman did wrong.

That skepticism isn't about one police officer who may have made a mistake; it's about a lack of faith in an American criminal justice system that 30 years after the civil rights movement is still viewed as racist by many blacks. Their mistrust is largely based on the disproportionate number of black men in prison and anecdotes about dozens of police abuse victims like Rodney King. As a result, distrust of police forces, the CIA, the FBI and other government agencies is as endemic in the black community as it is among white militants.

This aspect of race relations, closer to the root of the problem than any disagreement over so-called "affirmative action" programs, is hardly ever discussed by people in the best position to do something about it. Certainly the presidential aspirants ought to say what they would do to make every American believe he will receive equal and fair treatment by law enforcement officers and agencies. Yet the candidates are saying very little.

President Clinton and his challenger, Bob Dole, either don't think race relations are important enough to talk about, or they are afraid too much talking will cost them votes. Without discussion, the skepticism of those who have lost faith in the system will persist. And the occasional riot will occur.

Pub Date: 10/29/96