Is there systemic racism in US police?

[RockLock]

'I don't think there's systemic racism' in US police forces says Trump’s security adviser.

How blind can you be?

Another black man is dead, not the first one to die at the hands of police and the Trump squad still claim that you get good guys and bad guys in the police, that not all police are racist, that they have non-white policemen so that makes them not racist.

Bingo!

White not whole.

@Ursula2001

This is about black people, not other minority groups which may not have sustained such targeted treatment by the police. Black people.

And your point is?

The point is that if you aren't black, you really can't be certain the police would treat you the same if you were. Your experience could look very different - perhaps the way BLM states.

I am horrified by what is happening in the US. I do think police departments in the US have a lot of entrenched racism. Part of the problem is that the rules by which police operate give them a lot of latitude to inflict violence upon others on the basis of feeling threatened for their own personal safety. That makes them a dangerous presence when they enter a scene, because their own nervousness can cause them to feel threatened. Because police unions are very powerful, it is very difficult to get rid of bad cops. It's frustrating, because normally, people on the left favor unions and are pro workers rights--I know I am. But those same protections make it difficult to get rid of a racist cop, especially when police pressure each other to keep silent, and can literally threaten each others' lives if they step out of line. There absolutely is racism baked into the system and it needs to stop.

I really struggle to understand it to be honest. I just see people who's origins are different to mine, I cannot comprehend why anyone would treat them any different to anyone else. When I see a man who can't breathe because someone is sitting on his neck I see a person suffering, I see injustice, unfairness and cruelty. He is just like me.

I will never understand it I don't think, but I know it's wrong.

It's not much consolation, I'm sure @ursula, but the colour of your skin, makes no difference to me.

Amusedtodeath, there is so much you can do. Your skin colour gives you that advantage. If you want to learn more, read the links or books that posters post on these threads regarding racism. Read about some of the terms used such as white fragility, white privilege. It may be uncomfortable reading, but it is the reality that we face each and every day and it will help you recognise racism and inequality in its many forms.

Just googled white fragility, I have to admit to feeling defensive sometimes, because I didn't create this, I disagree with it and I guess many others too we just don't know how to help put it right. I do feel responsible, my good fortune at the expense of others, unknowingly I am part of the problem. I hate that.

Not just in the USA.
I could tell you some tales.

Racists post on MN claiming to be mixed race while spewing racist shit ALL THE TIME. Just ignore them.

White women can be the most dangerous, so don't try to convert them or some such bollocks
twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1266974618218377216?s=09

Read the Stephen Lawrence report. The Met were recognised as being institutionally racist 21 years ago.

Aside from the racism I think part of the problem for US police is they lack the tools for conflict resolution that other countries police forces use.
As in you way more likely to have a cop talk someone down (in the sing song we all in this together mate voice or the command “This is the Police” tone) use a non lethal control method than just bloody shoot them.
Part of that comes down to the age of recruits and education level.
18 year olds straight out of high school are going to make different choices that a 25 year old.

I used to smoke a lot in my youth and my dealers were always young black guys but that could just be due to where I grow up.

Plenty of white dealers in South London. Where did you grow up that has all black dealers? Always young men though.

July 7th is Blackout day.
Spread the word
twitter.com/thirteenvilll/status/1266364698707935232?s=09

If that cop had killed a dog by kneeling on its neck for 9 minutes he would have been arrested straight away

This ^^