The Talk

[napkinz]

cross-posted from GD: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026122330

[YoungDemCA]

1. K&R. Powerful and poignant message.

And (white) people-and I admit upfront that I am white-still wonder why African-Americans are often deeply suspicious of police officers and the criminal justice system in general.

Well, imagine if it was your child who was always on the receiving end of suspicion, judgement, harassment, bullying, and other forms of abuse and dehumanization-all because of the color of his or her skin. Imagine if every encounter your child had with a police officer was potentially fatal to your child-again, all because of your child's appearance.

Now imagine that you and your children were still expected-not just that, but legally obligated-by the society and country you live in to fully, 100% comply with those same people at all times: the bullies, the abusers, and the suspicious racists.

"To protect and serve." That is the stated purpose of police in this country. Yet, African-Americans and other people of color often feel that the real purpose of the police is to "protect" white America from African-Americans and other people of color.

[napkinz]

2. as I wrote in the other forum ...

re And (white) people-and I admit upfront that I am white-still wonder why African-Americans are often deeply suspicious of police officers and the criminal justice system in general.

They are the same people who deny white privilege. The same people who talk about "black-on-black crime" but never talk about "white-on-white crime." The same people who see African-Americans protesting the death of an unarmed black male and call them an angry mob, but see white Americans rioting after a football game and say nothing.

[napkinz]

3. Want cops to stop killing unarmed black kids? Just follow these 5 steps ...

http://deadstate.org/want-cops-to-stop-killing-unarmed-black-kids-just-follow-these-5-steps/

[napkinz]

4. posted by kpete

Charles M. Blow: "The Scenario I Have Always Dreaded - Yale Police Stopped My Son At Gunpoint"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026138192