Stephen Colbert Spells Out Perfectly Why Racial Tension Keeps Erupting

Funny how a comedian can get it right.
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As racial tension over police shootings dominated the headlines on Thursday, “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert offered his own take.

Referencing the state of emergency in Charlotte, North Carolina, after the fatal shooting of Keith Lamont Scott, the comedian observed: “The shooting of African-Americans by police officers and the community outrage that follows seems to keep happening over and over again, no matter how many times we do nothing.”

“I just wish there were some kind of respectful, silent civil protest that people could engage in that wouldn’t enrage the other side,” he said later, as a photo of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick flashed onscreen. (Kaepernick has received death threats for kneeling during the national anthem to protest police shootings.) 

“Yeah, no, that’s not going to work, either.” Colbert said.

And of course, he eventually got down to ripping you-know-who. “In the face of continued heartbreaking racial strife, all eyes turn to civil rights icon, the Rev. Dr. Donald Trump.”

We’ll let Colbert take it from there.

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Before You Go

Protests Break Out In Charlotte After Police Shooting
(01 of21)
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Police clash with demonstrators as residents and activists protest the police shooting death of Keith Scott. (credit:Brian Blanco via Getty Images)
(02 of21)
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Police and demonstrators carry a seriously wounded individual into the parking area of the the Omni Hotel during a march to protest the death of Keith Scott. (credit:Brian Blanco via Getty Images)
(03 of21)
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Protesters throw chairs at a restaurant during a demonstration against police brutality. (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
(04 of21)
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A woman smears blood on a police riot shield in downtown Charlotte. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
(05 of21)
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Protesters block traffic on I-85. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Protesters attend a demonstration against police brutality. (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
(07 of21)
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A demonstrator comes face to face with law enforcement during protests. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
(08 of21)
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A protester chants during a demonstration against police brutality. (credit:NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
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Demonstrators argue amongst themselves during protests. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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A woman gestures as she participates in a protest at Marshall Park. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Police officers face off with protesters on the I-85 during protests. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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A police officer in riot gear walks past a fire on the I-85 during protests. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Protesters throw objects at police officers. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Police officers hold their line. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Protesters block traffic on the I-85 interstate. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Police officers remove a man from his vehicle. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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A protester reacts to a sprayed deterrent while blocking traffic. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Police officers take position at an onramp on I-85. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Protesters block traffic on the I-85 interstate. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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Protesters gather on I-85 during protests. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)
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A police helicopter illuminates protesters blocking traffic. (credit:Sean Rayford via Getty Images)