Oscar Grant's mother speaks out after Dallas shooting

HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- The broader question out of Dallas following the deadliest day for law enforcement since 9/11 is - how did America get to this point where police shootings are a common occurrence and communities don't trust officers?

FULL VIDEO: Watch Wayne Freedman's full interview with Oscar Grant's mother

Smartphones with cameras and Facebook Live are changing the game; we now see and sometimes watch live what we would only read about not that long ago.

The recent incidents hit home especially hard for a family in Hayward.

On Friday morning, Wanda Johnson looked through a photo album and reminisced while looking at pictures of a little boy who would grow up to became a victim, a martyr, and part of a nationwide conversation.

"That's my baby boy Oscar," she said. "Oscar Grant."

Her house may have been the quietest place to try to make sense of what has happened this week.

It came to a head in Dallas Thursday night -- five police officers were shot dead and seven wounded at a demonstration against police shootings. The apparent single sniper personified a national rage against police that has been festering for years.

"We have got to sit down and begin to come together and talk about it," said Johnson.

We're certainly watching it. Cellphone video seems to have brought all of this on after incidents in Baton Rouge two days ago and Minneapolis on Wednesday.

The reactions were swift.

"Would this have happened if the driver or passengers were white?" asked Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton. "I don't think it would have."

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Georgia Rep. John Lewis adds, "Police officers need to be taught the way of peace, the way of love, the way of non-violence. To respect the dignity of every single human being."

"Policing has not changed with the speed of the culture," said retired San Francisco Police Commander Richard Corriea.

Freddie Gray, Mario Woods, Sandra Bland. All people of color. And all their incidents, at least partially in the public eye.

"These images of people dying in confrontations with the police are enraging the community and we need to pay attention to that," said Corriea.

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It would appear that we are, more than ever.

But not soon enough for Wanda Johnson, the mother of Oscar Grant.

"The double standard is not working," she said. "The separate bill of rights for police is not working."

Click here for full coverage on the deadly Dallas police officer shootings.