There have been a great number of shootings lately involving the police and unarmed black men. I’m sure these are not unique events, but they all seem to be making it into the news of late. They also seem to have the same theme. Someone is given an order by an officer and then refuses to comply. After their non-compliance, they are shot. While I’m sure that the police take the brunt of the fault in these situations, they’re not the only participants. I can’t look at these scenarios and not believe that some of the fault lies with the victims. Let’s face it. Pissing off an adrenaline fueled mound of testosterone with a firearm is never a combination that’s going to end well.
I am not a conservative, or some hood-wearing redneck yahoo. If you think I am, then you haven’t been reading my blog. When I was very young, say in kindergarten, I was taught that when a police officer tells you to stop. You stop. You don’t move. I didn’t come from the greatest neighborhood so police would come to our school and give us lectures on how to act when an officer issued you commands. When I got my driver’s license I was taught how to act when I was pulled over by a police officer. Never in any of these sessions was I told to confront the officer in any way. Basically I was told to keep my mouth shut, and do what I was told. End of story. They are armed. I am not.
I realize that young black men feel victimized by society. I’m sure they are. The problem is that everyone is victimized by society. The extent to which that victimization goes depends upon many factors. Color is just one of them. You will notice here that I don’t use the term African American. That’s because I think the term is racist. How do I know if someone’s ancestry is African, or Jamaican or whatever? I’m white, you’re black. It’s a color not a label…get over it.
If you think you are being treated poorly in a situation sometimes, if not usually, it’s best to wait until emotions are a little less volatile before you stand your ground with a guy pointing a gun at you. If you think mouthing off to a guy wearing a miniature arsenal is a good plan, then you’re a moron. Cops are not the courtroom. If you want to challenge the man, do it there. If he tells you to lie down and shut the hell up, then lie down and shut the hell up! Don’t argue with the man! Believe me, that’s better than challenging someone who wants nothing more than to put a notch in his gun with your life.
Let’s think about what is going through a cop’s head when he stops you. He most likely joined the force because he thought he would be doing some good. However, it also might be because he was bullied as a kid and likes the power. Either way all he sees all day is the worst of humanity. When he goes to work he knows he goes out there with a target on his back. Every situation and all his training tell him that if he is not completely vigilant he will not go home alive. This is basically a guy who’s fighting for his life and if he sees your dumb ass as even a minimal threat, he’s going to eliminate it. Knowing that, wouldn’t it be best not to be a threat?
Too many young people, white, black, or any race for that matter, think that they are entitled to be treated with respect regardless of their own actions. Wouldn’t that be the idealistic world! Be an asshole and still have people treat you like you crap gold. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way, not even for the police. That’s why they fight back when you’re being a jackass. So next time you’re on that high horse, why not step off for a moment and see if your actions are going to get you killed?
I hear all the time how the “system” is stacked against minorities. You’re right. It is. I think Michel Martin, host of the Barbershop on NPR said it best: “If you know that game is stacked against you, then don’t play the game.” Perhaps if you think the cops are out to get you then maybe you shouldn’t give them a reason. Does that mean they won’t pull you over or question you because of your race? Nope. But if you’re harassed while being a black attorney driving a Bentley rather than a crack head driving a stolen Buick, chances are the cops will be writing you a check after that encounter, than your family writing you off.
Rex