A few bad apples? The racism is systemic. The racism is endemic. A pandemic. A KKKlandemic.
If there is a force with 1,000 good officers and one “bad apple” (and this is hyperbolically low — there are a lot more than one out of a thousand “bad apples”) but the 1,000 “good ones” know who the bad apple is and cover up for them or hide behind a “blue wall code of silence,,” there are 1,001 bad cops.
As an old white guy driving an electric car, I rarely get stopped and only if I’ve actually done something wrong. When the officer approaches my car I am not in fear of being shot. I am addressed respectfully, professionally and if I get the ticket I get the ticket and I’m on my away, still alive.
We have seen in recent days an outpouring of stories by African Americans, including dignified, educated professionals, who are repeatedly pulled over and harassed. Highly respected Harvard professor and producer of PBS documentaries, including the highly acclaimed series “Finding Your Roots,” a man who just oozes with dignity, got arrested for breaking into his own home (which led to the famous “Beer Summit” at the White House). There was an account in the Los Angeles Times awhile about an African American JUDGE was pulled over pretextually and harassed by a police officer who tried to explain the law to him.
All we are asking for is that black drivers be treated the way white drivers are. If you try to beat a yellow light and don’t make it, get your citation and be on your way. Be treated with respect and addressed in a calm, professional manner. Don’t assume that because a person of color is driving a nice car or in an upscale neighborhood that they don’t belong there. Very likely the person of color is a respected professional with more education than the racist cop.
What is now seen as “white privilege” should be the way ALL PEOPLE are treated, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, orientation or identity.
A few bad apples? The racism is systemic. The racism is endemic. A pandemic. A KKKlandemic.
If there is a force with 1,000 good officers and one “bad apple” (and this is hyperbolically low — there are a lot more than one out of a thousand “bad apples”) but the 1,000 “good ones” know who the bad apple is and cover up for them or hide behind a “blue wall code of silence,,” there are 1,001 bad cops.
As an old white guy driving an electric car, I rarely get stopped and only if I’ve actually done something wrong. When the officer approaches my car I am not in fear of being shot. I am addressed respectfully, professionally and if I get the ticket I get the ticket and I’m on my away, still alive.
We have seen in recent days an outpouring of stories by African Americans, including dignified, educated professionals, who are repeatedly pulled over and harassed. Highly respected Harvard professor and producer of PBS documentaries, including the highly acclaimed series “Finding Your Roots,” a man who just oozes with dignity, got arrested for breaking into his own home (which led to the famous “Beer Summit” at the White House). There was an account in the Los Angeles Times awhile about an African American JUDGE was pulled over pretextually and harassed by a police officer who tried to explain the law to him.
All we are asking for is that black drivers be treated the way white drivers are. If you try to beat a yellow light and don’t make it, get your citation and be on your way. Be treated with respect and addressed in a calm, professional manner. Don’t assume that because a person of color is driving a nice car or in an upscale neighborhood that they don’t belong there. Very likely the person of color is a respected professional with more education than the racist cop.
What is now seen as “white privilege” should be the way ALL PEOPLE are treated, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, orientation or identity.