If They Were White
Delisa Troupe
62 seconds. That’s how long it took from the moment Philando Castile was pulled over by police to the moment he was bleeding out in his car. On July 6th, 2016, Castile was pulled over by Officer Jeronimo Yanez for a broken tail-light. The officer requested Castile’s driver’s license and proof of insurance. Philando calmly explained that he had a registered handgun. While trying to reach for his ID, Yanez shot him 7 times, killing him. “I wasn’t reaching for it” were his last words.
On March 18, 2018, Stephon Clark, an unarmed father of two, was shot and killed by two officers of the Sacramento Police Department. He was shot 20 times in the backyard that he shared with his grandparents and siblings. All he was holding was a phone in his hand.
Eric Garner died on July 17, 2014, when a New York City police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, wrapped his arm around Garner’s neck, and along with other officers, wrestled him to the ground during an arrest after he was seen selling untaxed cigarettes on a Staten Island street. The tactic used, the choke-hold, is banned based on NYPD policy. He repeatedly gasped out, “I can’t breathe,” but was ignored.
Police brutality is a civil rights violation that occurs when a police officer uses unnecessary, excessive force. It’s not uncommon for officers to violate and abuse the law for their own benefit, mainly against minorities and powerless social groups such as homosexuals.
Lots of work needs to be done to battle inequality in the justice system, employment, education, and housing. Police brutality not only causes its victims unwanted media attention and legal battles, but also physical and psychological trauma that can last for a lifetime. Police brutality may cause PTSD and should be treated as a public health issue.
Black communities often face higher rates of crime, therefore wanting good relations with police enforcement. But that is not likely until the U.S. finds a way to enforce strict punishments on police officers that abuse the law. Currently, even when there is footage of police misconduct, it doesn’t lead to a conviction of an officer or the revoking of their license. Leniency has led to cops believing that even if they do use lethal force, there won’t be legal consequences.
However, times are changing. Over the years, many people have stood up in protest of police brutality. One example is Colin Kaepernick’s “take a knee” protest.
Another instance of protest is the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Black Lives Matter is an international activist movement, originating in the African-American community that campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people. The movement was inspired after George Zimmerman was not held accountable for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in 2013.
Although there has been change, some people are hurting the progress that activists have made. Donald Trump, along with many of his supporters, want NFL players that protest to be fired. They believe that the national anthem protest disrespects the American flag. Trump is seemingly unconcerned about police brutality. Trump’s push to remilitarize the police would lead to increased confrontation and lethality, backlashing on activists everywhere.
Racial injustice and profiling are morally wrong. Police brutality damages the mental health of black communities and people of color, regardless of their relationship with those involved. The change starts with you. I urge you to stand up for what is right, to take a stand against injustice. The next time you see the shooting of a black person or a person of color on the news as a victim of police brutality, ask yourself this: Would they be dead if they were white?
On March 18, 2018, Stephon Clark, an unarmed father of two, was shot and killed by two officers of the Sacramento Police Department. He was shot 20 times in the backyard that he shared with his grandparents and siblings. All he was holding was a phone in his hand.
Eric Garner died on July 17, 2014, when a New York City police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, wrapped his arm around Garner’s neck, and along with other officers, wrestled him to the ground during an arrest after he was seen selling untaxed cigarettes on a Staten Island street. The tactic used, the choke-hold, is banned based on NYPD policy. He repeatedly gasped out, “I can’t breathe,” but was ignored.
Police brutality is a civil rights violation that occurs when a police officer uses unnecessary, excessive force. It’s not uncommon for officers to violate and abuse the law for their own benefit, mainly against minorities and powerless social groups such as homosexuals.
Lots of work needs to be done to battle inequality in the justice system, employment, education, and housing. Police brutality not only causes its victims unwanted media attention and legal battles, but also physical and psychological trauma that can last for a lifetime. Police brutality may cause PTSD and should be treated as a public health issue.
Black communities often face higher rates of crime, therefore wanting good relations with police enforcement. But that is not likely until the U.S. finds a way to enforce strict punishments on police officers that abuse the law. Currently, even when there is footage of police misconduct, it doesn’t lead to a conviction of an officer or the revoking of their license. Leniency has led to cops believing that even if they do use lethal force, there won’t be legal consequences.
However, times are changing. Over the years, many people have stood up in protest of police brutality. One example is Colin Kaepernick’s “take a knee” protest.
Another instance of protest is the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Black Lives Matter is an international activist movement, originating in the African-American community that campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people. The movement was inspired after George Zimmerman was not held accountable for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in 2013.
Although there has been change, some people are hurting the progress that activists have made. Donald Trump, along with many of his supporters, want NFL players that protest to be fired. They believe that the national anthem protest disrespects the American flag. Trump is seemingly unconcerned about police brutality. Trump’s push to remilitarize the police would lead to increased confrontation and lethality, backlashing on activists everywhere.
Racial injustice and profiling are morally wrong. Police brutality damages the mental health of black communities and people of color, regardless of their relationship with those involved. The change starts with you. I urge you to stand up for what is right, to take a stand against injustice. The next time you see the shooting of a black person or a person of color on the news as a victim of police brutality, ask yourself this: Would they be dead if they were white?