I sometimes wonder whether the reason there is near-impunity for police violence and police shootings is that we, as a people, value the collective trauma this violence inflicts on people, particularly on Black people.
I don't really wonder, I am pretty damn sure.
I don't really wonder, I am pretty damn sure.
Look at the responses from police apologists. What words do they use?
The person did not: comply, obey, respect, listen
The person was: talking too much, angry, defiant, resistant, aggressive
In other words, they were not servile.
The person did not: comply, obey, respect, listen
The person was: talking too much, angry, defiant, resistant, aggressive
In other words, they were not servile.
We see the high tolerance for disrespect, aggression, anger, and abuse from white suspects while poor Elijah McClain could not apologize enough.
And the police go unpunished and I think it's not so much that people think what they did was right, but they think what they did was useful.
After all, taxpayers end up paying millions in lawsuits over police abuses. Millions of dollars not spent on roads, water, schools, parks, and libraries, but on paying for abusive police actions that violated people's rights.
We seem to be fine with having to pay those millions
We seem to be fine with having to pay those millions
White America is willing to spend millions to inflict trauma on Black America. White America is willing to risk white lives to police abuse in order to inflict trauma on Black America. White America is willing to cede some of its liberty and freedom to inflict trauma.
White America wants the trauma. If we didn't, qualified immunity would be gone nationwide. If we didn't, police would be convicted. If we did not find value in the trauma, we would end it.
And what does that trauma give us?
Look at the Beckys and Karens calling the cops. They act in confidence their actions will instill fear and prevent Black people from being in the space they think is their space. You don't belong here, let me call some cops to come to kill you
Look at the Beckys and Karens calling the cops. They act in confidence their actions will instill fear and prevent Black people from being in the space they think is their space. You don't belong here, let me call some cops to come to kill you
The collective trauma of police lynchings gives white people the feeling we have authority over public spaces, the parks, the stores, the sidewalks, the roads. It is white supremacy written in blood.
And yes I am white and until we end it, not one of us is innocent.
And yes I am white and until we end it, not one of us is innocent.
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