Whenever news breaks of another black man falling victim to police brutality, part of me wants to despair at the futility of justice. I feel most people subconsciously share, at least partially, in my defeatist, encroaching on nihilistic, sentiment. A George Floyd will almost undoubtedly happen again and, as unproductive as these thoughts are, it is based in reality. It is a sempiternal threat that constitutes heightened prudence when interactions with police occur — civil or otherwise. Continually, we see black men (Charles Kinsey, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, etc.) face deadly or near deadly encounters with law enforcement.

With that said, I am not speaking to pass judgement on the entirety of police. Within any spectrum of our existence, moral and immoral always retains its symbiotic relationship. However, what we've seen is a lens placed on the most recent public instance of virulent nature between police and the black community — a long tragic and cumbersome history of America and systemic racism. It feels as if our fears are mocked and cries for change, ignored; thus becomes the impetus for riot, protest, and disdain.

Much like the sex talk, or the school fire drill escape plan, more often than not, black families commonly communicate with their children discussing how to navigate police interactions. It is a conversation rooted in existential fears, a coming-of-age discussion, that highlights the normalcy and assured nature behind the perceived threat. We are taught to obey police instruction and never, under any circumstances, resist. However, in the case of Charles Kinsey, no resistance, nor minute body action, was needed to provoke an officer to unload his firearm. Ironically, as a civilian and therapist, Kinsey displayed an act of heroic courageousness, expected of law enforcement, by protecting his patient. Now, what precedent does that set? It becomes entrenched in black consciousness and manifests as a phobia or severe disdain for authority — and justifiably so.

Now to address the police. As much as the bad cops (Derek Chauvin) severely tarnish the name of the upright serviceman, it is imperative that we, both black and police, can process empathy. There are excellent law enforcement officers out there that abide by their oath to serve and protect. However, saying there's a clear problem is an understatement. How can human life have so little value? How can human life be snuffed out with little to no repercussions by our judicial system? How can the confines of moral righteousness be tumefied to include murder as just? Derek Chauvin confidently committed cold-blooded murder while knowingly being filmed, which speaks volumes towards his psychopathy and arrogance, and a much greater issue surrounding power hierarchy, race, and law. Perhaps police wield far too much power in societal structure. Perhaps law enforcement is an occupation that should implement a higher barrier to entry and a harsher penalty for abuse of power. The perversion of power is disloyal to the police code of ethics and the community and country you serve. To betray the trust of the country is treason, but what are the consequences for betraying the trust of the people?

Maybe America's police system is archaic and needs to be restructured in its entirety. However, similar to military servicemen and women, the aggregate of mental stressors experienced on duty can be taxing and may impede judgement. Police officers commit suicide at a higher percentage on average when compared to most other contemporary occupations. The act or thought of taking a life can only logically serve to exacerbate pre-existing stressors. It is one of the few professions where the duality between mercilessness and empathy are constant.

To the protestors, to our community, I could only hope the message against police brutality and systemic racism is truly heard and acted upon in a genuine fashion. A country structured on laws such as Jim Crow and the G.I. Bill provides documented proof of historically recent instances of America’s race problem. Fighting against a system long-entangled with prejudice requires grit and action. The act of protest is complex and should be understood with nuance. The reaction to video of George Floyd's death carries a different weight, which may be attributed to the intense and emotionally charged riots. Protest through retaliatory violence, looting, and vandalism is arguably counterproductive and immoral, however the lack severe recourse by the government, violence, and an overall hostile climate, serve as fuel to insight further anger. Debate around peaceful protest vs. rioting is reactionary. Peaceful protest comes when people think their actions can result in change. Riots happen when those hopes are squandered and are met with futility. Still, it can't be ignored that the cons of destructive rioting may further divide. Just as the many greiving and scornful, their are opportunists, ignorant, and impressionable that will attempt to delegitimize genuine anguish. While I don't have the right to condemn any form of protest, every individual is entitled to their own will and reason; I, still, would hope that resilient solidarity through peace reign supreme. George Floyd's own family called for peaceful protest, which should be respected. If we look towards the longevity of the Hong Kong protest as an example, we can see the results of fierce aggression met with similar forms of hostility. It serves as an example to maintain pressure on figures of authority, while highlighting their fears of a people's uprising — an enactment of the primal instinct to resort to aggression when cornered. However, destroying already suffering small businesses is equivalent to friendly-fire.

When writing or speaking on issues such as these, I can only speak for myself. Like every race in America, our experience is unique solely to ourselves. Even then, those experiences can differ dramatically depending on geography, economics, phenotypic traits, etc. So, when I talk of the black experience, I obviously cannot speak for every black man or woman across the nation; however, commonalities do exist. Empathy is intrinsic; it crosses barriers of culture, language, and socioeconomic status. Protests across the world have occurred in solidarity with the U.S., in the wake of George Floyd's death, to denounce police aggression. We can all imagine if a loved one of ours, a brother, son, sister, mother, father — were killed unjustly. It's sorrowful that the death of a man is the impetus for change, but it is a reminder of our commonalities, it reminds us of our fragility, and the sanctity of life.

“As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Donation Links:
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
Justice For Breonna Taylor
Justice For Ahmaud Arbery
National Bail Funds
The Bail Project
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Black Visions Collective
Unicorn Riot
Campaign Zero

Police Brutality: Compassion, Anguish, and Love are Universal