The vast majority of law enforcement officers are good, decent heroes trying to make our communities safer. We see many stories of police officers who use their own money (out of underpaid salaries) to help struggling families or troubled youths. They are true heroes.
But sadly there is also a significant minority of officers who have shot African Americans in the back while they are running away, shot a mental health professional who was accompanying a troubled patient after he had identified himself, was lying down on the ground with his hands up; have shot victims who were only accused of very minor infractions, shooting a school employee who raised his hands, notified officers of a LEGAL firearm in the car, etc., etc., etc.
Now we see a backlash. Now we see increased number of random shootings of law enforcement professionals. The victims are random and, sadly, often target some of the best.
Black lives matter. Blue lives matter. But if blue lives want to stop setting up the shooting of their own, they had better first stop shooting unarmed young men of color — Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Alton Sterming, Tamir Rice, Terence Crutcher , Stephon Clark and many more.
Trigger-happy racist cops who shoot UNARMED African Americans are the ones who are putting targets on the backs of their less brutal brothers and sisters.
Black lives matter. Blue lives matter. If Blue lives want to stop getting shot, then stop putting targets on the backs of Black lives.
The vast majority of law enforcement officers are good, decent heroes trying to make our communities safer. We see many stories of police officers who use their own money (out of underpaid salaries) to help struggling families or troubled youths. They are true heroes.
But sadly there is also a significant minority of officers who have shot African Americans in the back while they are running away, shot a mental health professional who was accompanying a troubled patient after he had identified himself, was lying down on the ground with his hands up; have shot victims who were only accused of very minor infractions, shooting a school employee who raised his hands, notified officers of a LEGAL firearm in the car, etc., etc., etc.
Now we see a backlash. Now we see increased number of random shootings of law enforcement professionals. The victims are random and, sadly, often target some of the best.
Black lives matter. Blue lives matter. But if blue lives want to stop setting up the shooting of their own, they had better first stop shooting unarmed young men of color — Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Alton Sterming, Tamir Rice, Terence Crutcher , Stephon Clark and many more.
Trigger-happy racist cops who shoot UNARMED African Americans are the ones who are putting targets on the backs of their less brutal brothers and sisters.
Black lives matter. Blue lives matter. If Blue lives want to stop getting shot, then stop putting targets on the backs of Black lives.