Friday, December 5, 2014
Ferguson, Police Brutality, and Eric Garner
Recently, there have been controversial events, like the Mike Brown and Tamir Rice cases, that have been making people scrutinize the police force and police and whether or not it is a problem here in America. Another event that has recently happened is the Eric Garner case. This case has been causing a stir in social media. One of the trending topics was #CrimingWhileWhite. People were saying all these crimes they've committed that they might not have gotten away with if they were black, implying white privilege in America. I'm not saying I necessarily agree with this, but any thoughts on everything that's been going on?
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Based off of the facts that were presented after the Grand Jury made their decision, I feel that Darren Wilson felt as though shooting Mike Brown was his only option. Being the niece of a former police officer, I know that cops are trained to only pull out their gun as a last resort and that they are supposed to shoot to kill, not injure. I haven't heard of the Tamir Rice case, but in regards to the Eric Garner case I trust that the Grand Jury thoroughly looked at all the evidence before deciding not to indict the officer, but at the same time I feel that the police force he works for should punish him for going against regulations by putting Eric in a choke hold.
ReplyDeleteWhile the trending topic is bringing awareness to some of the situations that have happened, we also have to realize that there's more than just "white privilege." There's privilege of being born into an affluent family, having connections, and having the ability to deceive the police.
ReplyDeleteI find it a bit ironic to how everyone thought the solution to the Michael Brown case could have been prevented or found if police officers were wearing body cameras. But here you have the case of Eric Garner, and a full video of him saying that he couldn't breathe up to 11 times. As I'm not particularly aware of the whole case, it's a bit baffling to see how some politicians are comparing a broken arm to not being able to breathe, as many criminals use that as a trick to try to get out of handcuffs. Another point would also be, "If you can't breathe you wouldn't be able to talk."
But in conclusion, I do believe there is privilege, from being white, from being rich, from having connections. It is not right and nor will it ever be, but this is something that we will always have to deal with as long as people who are in power have emotion and friends/family.
As for Michael Brown's case, the evidence supported Darren Wilson's testimony. Some of the witnesses commited perjury, and others even changed their testimonies to work witht the physical evidence once it was rleased. There is no set definition for police brutality, as we often forget that the police's job is not to discriminate but protect. The police have the responsiblity to watch out for the lives of people in Ferguson, an while many protests can be non-violent and effective, there is always a risk of violence. Police breaking up the protests, by using tear gas and rubber bullets, may sound wrong and excessive, but we have to remember that there are many people in ferguson that lost their businesses and livelihoods to some of these protesters. Police brutality is an issue, but the term should not be used lightly.
ReplyDeleteI believe that white privilege does exist in America. From the facts I have seen from both the Eric Garner case and the Mike Brown case, I do believe that race did play a part in the resulting deaths. I do understand how people could think otherwise, but racial harassment and discrimination does still exist in this nation, and police brutality is becoming an issue. I know for a fact that many police officers are innocent and aim to protect this nation, but among that group, just like many others, there are people who exist that abuse their power.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you heartfeat-heartbeat that in at least the Michael Brown case that race did not play a part in the death of Mike Brown. Had Mike Brown listened to officer Wilson and gotten off the street if that is what truly happened then Wilson wouldn't have been forced to defend himself. I don't see how that has anything to do with race. It was self defense. If a 6' 4", 250 pound white man charged you after scaring you to death, wouldn't you discharge your weapon to save your life.
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