It's a pity that the news media tend to take things that have been going on for ages, and that might continue on for ages more, and only call attention to them in cycles -- in cycles at best.
I understand that you may feel that regurgitating something that is perpetual is something that shouldn't be a part of everyday discussion but one of the things that makes people aware I've found both as a researcher and as a person who has experienced racism is that constant awareness is key. What I also find both online and offline is that the discussion of racism is an annoyance to some. The term "white guilt" comes into play when these types of discussions happen.
"Why should I be aware of racism? I have black friends"
Is the ode of the great many!
To answer such comments I look at it like this.....
I was never a Nazi so why am I soused to learn about the Holocaust?
I was never a Turk so why should I learn about the Armenian genocide?
I was never an English pilgrim so why should I learn about the Pilgrims killing the Native Americans with their diseases?
We learn about racism to constantly remind us of our ugly past, and to remind us to never return to a history in which humanity can morph into something so ungodly.
It isn't pity except those that express the behavior, but it is however, important to know these things do exist and those even in the rural areas are made aware this ugliness happens.