Why I Do Not Support The Police | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why I Do Not Support The Police

My conscience in a time of heightened police violence, and why I do not support the police

37
Why I Do Not Support The Police

Notice that I did not say I am anti-cop (though many people will likely assume that anyway). I am not anti-cop because I recognize that some police officers are truly doing their jobs. They believe in justice, and follow the motto to “protect and serve.”

That being said, I do not support the police. I am anti-police. Not on an individual level, but on an institutional level. Because the institution of the police, whether you look at a single department or entire states, has proven to be persecutory and ruthless.

Let’s begin with the fact that modern-day police departments evolved directly from runaway slave catching organizations from back when slavery was still protected under the law. Therefore, while the public objective of said institution may have changed, the infrastructure has stayed relatively stable through the last two centuries.

The past couple years have increased tensions between Americans and police, specifically affected the Black community (but I’ll get into that later). 695 people have been reported killed by police officers just since January 1st of this year, and in 2015 98% of these incidents ended with the officer(s) involved facing no charges.

These numbers are shocking on their own, but consider the following: in 2014, 1100 people were killed by police in the US. The total number of US troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan was 58. The number of people killed by law enforcement in Canada in 2014 was 14, in the UK it was 1, and in China it was 12.

12.

A country with over 1.4 billion people reported 12 people killed by police. The US had 92 times more people killed by police in 2014. There is a serious problem here.

Now that I have your general attention, let’s segue into talking about the relationship between police and Black Americans specifically. I already mentioned the history of slave control, but in modern times the relationship has morphed into just good ol’ fashioned systemic racism.

I want to reference here that Black people are killed by police on an almost daily basis, with the latest victim being 23-year-old mother Korryn Gaines, shot in front of her five-year-old, who was then also shot, in their Baltimore home. If it feels like there’s always a new name trending, from Trayvon Martin to Freddie Gray to Eric Garner to Mike Brown to Sandra Bland, and most recently Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, it’s because there’s always a new Black person killed by police.

Typically, I would add here that these Black people, with the exception of Gaines, were unarmed, but a close friend and empowered Black woman recently put this into question by criticizing the label of “unarmed.” When armed and threatening white men are apprehended alive by police every day, why is it wrong to expect the same for armed Black people? When armed white people are inherently less threatening than armed Black people, race is the true perceived threat.

As such, I will no longer denote each victim of police violence as being either armed or unarmed; either way, police officers have a duty to not kill people.

On that note, let’s discuss these videos of cops doing public services and treating people fairly. The “blue lives matter” brigade loves to share these videos online with blurbs urging people to recognize that “not all police are bad.” Sidenote: it feels incredibly mundane to be congratulating people for doing the one job they are paid to do, but I digress. The most recent one making its rounds on social media is a video of a Virginia cop pulling over a Black woman and giving her ice cream.

This is sweet, and honestly does make me smile when I watch it. And then I remember that officers in nearby Maryland are busy shooting young women and five-year-olds, and the warm feeling goes away. While it’s nice to see videos of cops going out of their way to try and be better for their own communities, it’s simply not enough.

Black people can do without the surprise ice cream, I’m sure they would rather not live in fear of the very people paid to protect them.

To those police officers who want to make a difference in this trying time, use your place in this institution and hold your peers accountable. Demand systemic changes to the law enforcement industry. Lead by example. Please. Because too many people are not respecting the fact that Black Lives Matter.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

2475
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5192
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3222
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments