Police brutality is often blamed on the victim. Why don’t Black people just comply? I hear that a lot. Maybe if we just didn’t run or not ask questions. Let me explain something. It should not be a death sentence if someone runs from the police. People run for all types of reasons, being afraid is the major reason for Black people. We know how it may end for us, so oftentimes running feels like the only option to live. Who gave police the license to be a judge and jury? Why are they shooting to kill because a suspect is running? Why is the onus on Blacks rather than cops to de-escalate? Let’s try to answer some of those searing questions, shall we?
Ibram X. Kendi wrote “Black and brown people’s defiance is not the problem. Our compliance is not the solution.”
Dr. Kendi likened American policing to American slavery. Where’s the lie? Enslaved people were policed. They were told to comply and to never use free will. The enslaved were governed by their master.
According to Speaking Security Newsletter – state and local governments spend nearly $118.8 billion on policing.
Police are the 6th leading cause of death for young Black men, after cancer. For every 100,000 arrests, there are 12 deaths. These statistics are horrifying.
According to the database maintained by Mapping Police Violence in the United States, police have killed over 100 people in 71 days so far in 2022. Black people are 2.9 percent more likely to be killed by police than whites.
There are a few causes of police brutality, none because Black people don't comply. Factors include lack of accountability. Other factors are racial discrimination and inadequate laws.
Daunte Wright was pulled over and they immediately treated him as a criminal, why wouldn’t he panic? Many times Black people aren’t even told why they are being pulled over or stopped. George Floyd wasn’t fighting; he was face down on the ground and murdered.
Philando Castile complied and disclosed he had a weapon in his vehicle when he was murdered in front of his child within 40 seconds of being pulled over, so one would say, the murders of Black men, women, and children have nothing to do with compliance. Breonna Taylor was sleeping when she was murdered by police.
Remember Caron Nazario? An Army 2nd Lt. in uniform was stopped without probable cause. He complied, he was calm, despite having guns pointed at him. He was peppered sprayed and arrested. Elija McClain was 23 years old and had a deadly encounter with police. Some of his last words were “I can’t breathe. I have my ID right here. I was just going home. I’m an introvert. I’m so sorry. Why are you attacking me? I don’t even kill flies.” He was given no mercy, did he not comply?
You’re killed if you don’t run. You’re killed if you do. You’re killed in police custody. Killed being respectful. Killed regardless of age. Stop blaming the victims of police brutality. Police brutality comes from racial bias. Biases that have been ingrained. Black men are monsters; black children are thugs; black women are hyper-sexualized, all stereotypes handed down from one generation to the next.
The passing of the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act would be a start for breaking through the impunity police are wrapped in.
Lana
@LqLana