All this talk about Grant/Martin/Brown/Garner reminded me of this episode of the Fresh Prince (the video link). Talk about police brutality, talk about it a lot, but dont forget that its a small piece of a bigger puzzle. Solving police brutality will not end racism in this country. Just surviving an encounter with the police is not enough! There is a system in place that ensures that the colored people in this country will have to be constantly subjected to those encounters, only to participate in a more than likely unfair trial, and even be wrongfully indicted. Its a cultural system, its a deeply-rooted system of racism. About a month ago I was pulled over in Texas for zooming past a cop at 95mph, and as he was exiting his car, I was laughing with my friend Desi about it all, saying that it sucks Im getting a ticket, but that Ill calm down and be more careful for the rest of the trip... I didnt even get a ticket, I got a talking to, the cop praised my honesty, I got a warning, and a pat on the back. The thought of a threat never even crossed my mind. Fear never even crossed my mind. I was perfectly comfortable, a little upset that Id have to get a ticket, but not at all scared that the situation would escalate. I never even reflected until now on that incident, and how standard that lack of fear is, and how standard that fear is for anyone who is colored, regardless of whether they are going 95 or 65. The way I felt that day should be how EVERYONE feels when they get pulled over or otherwise stopped by the police. I felt that I was clearly at fault for breaking the law, that the officer had a clear reason to pull me over, and that I would pay a reasonable fee breaking the law. Not only that, I took it for granted that I felt that way, or that everyone should be able to, but not everyone gets to. I wonder how many assignment extensions I got, how many interviews, how many votes, how many friends, how many jobs, how many lucky breaks, I wonder how many times I have driven past a cop and not thought twice about it. I am ashamed of every moment that I have ever taken for granted, and enraged at every moment that my fellow humans cannot take for granted. I am ashamed of having air in my lungs while others, who have done much less harm and much more good, are, as Garners wife said, six feet under. A father, a grandfather... I dont have any kids expecting me to be Santa Claus for them this Christmas. I would say it shouldve been me, but even that is wrong. It shouldve been nobody. This president is shameful for his calculated response and his excitement over his police task force that will analyse the situation. These justice systems and their romances with their local police forces are shameful. This culture is disgusting. Lives are being broken. Something needs to change. https://youtube/watch?v=qQtDXxXyPYQ
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:06:17 +0000
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