How Many Bullets Does It Take
67Trying To Make Sense of Justice
As an ethnic women I would very much love to believe that I could be safe when it comes to those who are dedicated to protect and serve. It would be comforting for me to be able to depend on them but when pondering what would happen if found alone driving on the streets/highway, suddenly summoned by an officer to stop for some reason, conclusions of little consolation surface. What choices and reactions would one be confronted with. The results conjure up solemn images and dreaded fear with the instinct to continue driving until feeling safe. What would be the consequences, as this is supposed to be a right. Would it become twisted, until developing into a situation far more deadly? These are honest questions people of color aref aced with, even before the cases of at least four incidents, rocking the pages of newspapers and televised news reports, where each person involved was black:
These are current captions in the news today:
50 Shots by NYPD Kills Black Man
92 Year Old Black Woman Shot By The Police
Beating of a 27 Year Old Black Man Caught On Tape.
Is This Police Brutality?
14 Year Old Black Teen Dies While Being Subdued By Guards
At A Florida Bootcamp (Also caught on tape)
These disturbing scenes cause a great deal of concern and a quest for answers regarding how necessary these actions really were. Could the truth be worse than speculation? Maybe there is enlightment available in the near future.
Elderly Woman Shot By The Police
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Yes jimmy, very difficult circumstances to contemplate let alone coming up with answers. It appears that these cases are still under investigation, except one that I know of. Thanks
That's a crying shame, reminds me of the way the police killed one of my friends mother they pulled her over for a routine traffic stop, she reached in her pocketbook to get her asthma medication, they thought she was reaching for a gun; they opened fire on her shooting her countless of times killer her... I also knew teenager that was killed by police shot in the back, and they claim he had a gun. They are to quick to shoot especially when your black. It's just sad.
It's hard to understand the side of the police when it appears that most of the victims were either unarmed or innocent. With this elderly lady I heard that she shot 3 bullets but then if you live in a bad neighborhood and fear for you live and someone kicks your door in without a warning..? The police also knew the territory.
It is really sad because I think that the majority of law enforcement, and people in general, are good. The few bad ruin it for the lot. Maybe some of those going into law enforcement have a bone to pick and have a higher tendency toward violence; thus there are more "bad seeds". I don't know, I do know it is a profession that I would never want to do.
I was thinking about how cautious I am of people this morning as I was riding the muni train with my daughter downtown to meet up with Paul. I know that most of the people on the train are good people; in fact, because I have a young child, many talk to me where they wouldn't regularly. I'm such a mama lion though...so protective. I am very aware of what is happening and who is around us. I catch myself thinking... is he a child molester? Has he been in jail, and if so what for? Why do I do that? Is it the news/media? Is it the mother in me? I wish I wouldn't ask myself these questions. It's crazy!
I wonder if I'd be as safe if I expected that nobody would hurt me or my kids. I wonder if it is possible to even feel that way, or if we are too conditioned to be cautious of everyone. Sorry, I got a bit tangential on ya! Just a few thoughts on this cold night.
it's worse than what you are reading from a few news sources, nightflower. there is still a terrible amount of racism in society and in the police force and if people say there isn't, they aren't looking at the doj stats. the new york case is a big deal and might help some with public consciousness.
today's news:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061201/ap_on_re_us/la
"LOS ANGELES - The city's fire chief announced his retirement Friday amid a racially charged furor involving a black firefighter who was served spaghetti mixed with dog food.
In a letter to the mayor and a separate statement, Chief William Bamattre gave no reason for his departure and did not directly address the controversy. He planned to step down Jan. 1.
The firefighter who was fed the spaghetti claimed that it was racial discrimination and that he was harassed after reporting it."
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/155104,CST-N years of precedents paved way for blatant police brutality "On Tuesday, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg called the 50 shots that killed Sean Bell, 23, on his wedding day, and critically injured two of his friends "inexplicable" and "unacceptable." But that's PR talk meant to appease black leaders. Firing 50 shots at unarmed men should be called what it is: extreme brutality. Worse yet, the only reason six undercover New York Police Department officers -- who by the way, were black, Hispanic and white -- could even think they would get away with such a barbaric act is because of what happened in the shooting case of Amadou Diallo......For example: How could police shoot an 88-year-old woman to death? Last week, Kathryn Johnston of Atlanta was killed by officers who came to her apartment looking for a man who had allegedly sold an informant crack from Johnston's home......It is highly unlikely that those cops would have exchanged gunfire with an elderly white woman over that small amount of drugs. Yet, this is the blatant brutality that goes on in black communities. I'm afraid that just as the Dred Scott decision affirmed slavery, the Diallo ruling justified cop brutality. Until reckless cops are prosecuted as criminals, black people won't have any rights that cops are bound to respect.
"but you know, it's not me, it's not my family..." (cranberries - zombie) who cares, right? ;)
jimmythejock says:
3 years ago
i agree with you 100% nightflower the questions are often asked but no one ever has an answer...jimmy