Just days after the country celebrated its freedom, two black lives were lost by those who were sworn by oath to protect them. But while I can understand that the recent police brutality cases may have sparked a negative image of law enforcement for some, we need to remember that violence is not the solution. After the recent shootings, it seems as though Black Lives Matter protests have been less about "Remembering the Name," and more about fighting fire with fire.
Right now, the last thing we need is more deaths by gun violence, and it's saddening that many incredible police officers who fight and risk their lives to protect us everyday are falling victim to it. Judging by the Black Lives Matter movement supporters, you would think that policemen pose a fatal threat to the common, everyday African American man. Many have been informed to believe that there is an extensive problem of racist white officers killing innocent black men. However, that is just not the case.
While prejudices still exist in the justice system, police brutality is seldom a race issue. In 2015, cops killed almost twice as many white people as black people, even though according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, African Americans were charged with 62 percent of all robberies, 57 percent of murders and 45 percent of assaults in the 75 largest U.S. counties in 2009, although they only made up an estimated 15 percent of the population there. And not to overstep any racial bounds, but my question for the BLM movement is where is the outrage for all of the black on black violence? Birmingham, Chicago, Philadelphia - kids and many innocent lives are lost daily due to violence in low income areas. Where is the outrage for the four year old who was shot sleeping in her bed? Where were her national protests?
Police officers have a tough job. Considering the rising number of policemen being shot by protesters at the Black Lives Matter rallies and the public outrage against law enforcement following the recent shootings, at times I understand that police are forced to carry a combative approach. They can't even answer a 911 call without worrying about getting ambushed. Officers deserve our respect and most of them show restraint in tense situations. Unfortunately, too many people "know their rights," and refuse to comply with officers when they are stopped, which can sometimes escalate into violence and even the use of the officer's gun. However, a line is crossed when an officer fires his gun and the suspect is already subdued. Even though Alton Sterling did have a substantial criminal record, and well surpassed the three strikes law that constitutes a mandatory life in prison sentence, he did not deserve to be shot in the back and killed. The other life lost, Philando Castile, was pulled over for a broken taillight and had no criminal record. He informed the officer of his concealed carry permit, then was shot reaching for his wallet, and bled to death in front of his girlfriend and four year old daughter.
Cops put their lives on the line daily. They are forced to make life and death decisions in seconds; no one really knows how they would react when faced with that kind of situation. Cops are human, and do make mistakes. We need more training and education for officers to prevent any more lives needlessly lost. And we, as a nation, need to respect the many officers that do their best to protect us everyday. There needs to be a balance. People should be able to practice their rights and cops should be able to do their job, without either one being in fear of losing their life.
Yes, black lives matter, but so do all lives. The violence against all lives is the real issue at hand, and it has to stop.
