Community leader reflects on Charlotte riots

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One year ago, community leader Toussaint Romain stood between police and protesters as unrest overcame Charlotte, unrest like the city's never seen before.

SPECIAL SECTION: Charlotte riots, 1 year later

“The tension there was thick as pea soup, and I felt I needed to get in the middle and make sure nothing happened,” Romain said.

IMAGES: Vigil held for Keith Scott and Justin Carr

The riots started after a deadly officer-involved shooting in University City. Keith Scott, who had a gun, was shot and killed by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer on Sept. 20, 2016.

As an assistant public defender, Romain was in a unique position.

"There was this relationship that I had with both sides that allowed me to be in that space,” he said. “I was out there making sure the police were good because I knew many of them, and that the protesters or demonstrators were good."

Since then, Romain has helped dissect the underlying issues that have led to such tensions in Charlotte and across the country.

“I've been fortunate to travel around the nation and talk to people about this structural racism, and why we shouldn't be offended by it, but recognize it as it is, and then do our part to fix,” he said.

He attributes that to inequities in education, jobs and affordable housing but he's hopeful that more people than ever are working toward solutions.

“What I've been able to do over the past year is wake some people up and help others realize where they can use their privilege to do their part, and in that sense, I am really encouraged,” Romain said.

He explained how Charlotte has changed since the riots.

“Charlotte is a beacon of hope right now, and a lot of people are watching us to see how we do it,” he said. “I think we are doing it well and we can do it even better.”

Cox Media Group