“The vast majority of police officers are honest, hardworking people, trying to do a difficult job. But let us be clear. If a police officer breaks the law, like any public official, that officer must be held accountable.”

-Bernie Sanders

I may not have always felt the Bern, but if there’s one comment Sanders made that I wholeheartedly agree with, it is this one. So now that my opinion on police brutality has basically been summed up in one quote, let’s move on to all the problems facing our nation in the midst of police brutality and the black lives matter movement. Below are all the REAL problems that are dividing our nation.

PROBLEM: Protecting your own.

People with police officers in their family and friend group feel an obligation to stand with the police department at all costs, even if some officers have done wrong. Police officers feel a need to protect their own and support even the most immoral officers on the force. African Americans feel a need to support all black people in police custody even those who resist arrest or commit felonies. This idea of protecting your own only divides our nation more. This was exemplified in the OJ Simpson case. Prosecutor Marcia Clark says some of the nine black jurors “Came in for the purpose of payback,” and that, “They didn’t care whether he was guilty or innocent.” During this time there was a similar “racial mistrust,” black civilians had towards police officers.

Do I know if OJ killed his wife for sure? No, but what I do know is the case was not about justice for the deceased, but racial justice. Black jurors felt a need to protect their own. The justice system had failed them for so long that they did not care if OJ was a murdered; they wanted to see a black man go free. The question remains, “Is protecting your own worth it at all costs?” The answer is no. If you’re wrong, you’re wrong and if you’re right, you’re right.

As humans, we must see past labels such as race and job title. We must stop picking and choosing what specific groups we are going to protect over others. We must stand together as one in love and protect humanity.

SOLUTION: Protect humanity.

Problem: Payback

The reason there is an ongoing war between blue lives and black lives is because of the idea of payback. After black lives are lost, cities are destroyed by riots. It can be concluded that an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. But what can also be said is these protests will not cease until there is change. I don’t have the solution to the problem, but what I’d personally like to see, like Sanders, is officers being held accountable for their actions.

Solution: Judicial reform.

PROBLEM: A couple bad eggs spoilt the batch.

The genuine truth is that not all cops are bad. Being a cop is not easy and as civilians, we should respect men and women of the law who risk their lives every day to protect us. I encourage people to remember this and to always seek out the best in people.

Solution: Always keep an open mind.

PROBLEM: Nothing has changed.

We see terrorist attacks happening all over the world and believe that is what we have to fear most. Then black civilians are killed by law enforcement for misdemeanor crimes. Our world is crazy and we all live in fear, but African American lives are in the most danger. The rioting is about more than just payback, it is a call for change. Our nation needs change. There needs to be a reform in police officer training and criminal prosecution.

SOLUTION: CHANGE!

For those who still don’t understand, all lives matter, but black lives are in the most danger. America has never made African Americans feel like their lives matter. This must change. Our system continues to fail the black community and it, therefore, must be reformed. As a nation, we must come together in love and demand change. I do not want to see any more dead people, black or white, on the cover of Newsday.