Olivia West, Editor
@oliviawcourant
When I was little, I wanted to be a cop. I remember seeing the police as heroes, and my little brain equated these officers as the ones who stopped bad people from doing bad things. To me, the system represented the justice that made America so unique, working to protect everyone equally. As I grew up, I realized that being raised with this view of the police was a privilege that came with being white. I recognized that I never had to be told that some people would hate me and treat me differently just because of the color of my skin. Because I’m white, I never had to learn how to act around cops so that I could stay alive. Because I’m white, I was never taught to be scared of police, to be careful when I was wearing a sweatshirt, to keep my head down- but don’t look suspicious- to be wary of leaving a store without buying anything, to act a certain way so that a system that was supposed to protect me wouldn’t kill me. Because I’m white, I never had to learn that even if I did all of these things, even if I took every precaution, I could still end up on the ground, knee on my neck, screaming “I Can’t Breathe.”
When the video of George Floyd surfaced and when Breonna Taylor’s story was told, I was beyond angry. I felt hopeless, helpless, and incapable of making change and fighting a system that has oppressed Black people for four hundred years. I was- and still am- angry because the police are supposed to help everyone, to provide justice, to keep people safe. I was angry because I recognized that I would never truly understand the fear, hurt, and fury that Black people felt all day, every day. I was angry because what happened to George Floyd had happened to countless others, including 235 Black people in 2019 alone (to get the facts, click here).
I’m not the only angry one. George Floyd’s case has sparked international outrage, an outcry from people who have been held down- literally and figuratively- and murdered since white people kidnapped and forced the first African into slavery in 1619. By now, there have been protests in all 50 states and countless countries, displaying the pent up anger and frustration directed at this constant and seemingly unending pandemic of police brutality and racism. While most of the protests have been peaceful, some have devolved into looting and setting fires (by protestors), and tear gassing and shooting rubber bullets (by police, most in full riot gear). Before passing judgement on the actions of protestors and letting the actions of a few distract from the brutality that is being protested, however, we must examine what we are prioritizing; when complaining about looting, are you implying that some vandalism- which, as you can read here, is theorized to have been started by white supremacy groups and even undercover cops in some situations- is worse than police officers kneeling on the neck of a man for eight minutes and 46 seconds, all while he is yelling that he can’t breathe? Is setting things on fire worse than the oppression, discrimination, and racism that is so prevalent and ingrained in American society that, when people protest it, it is viewed as protesting against the United States? Instead of saying “it’s unfortunate that Black people are being killed, but the looting has to stop,” people should be saying “it’s unfortunate that there is looting, but the killing of Black people must stop.” In addition, allies must remember that Black people have the right to feel angry and try to rebel against this institution that has led to the deaths of hundreds and thousands of people, many killed or treated horribly just because of the color of their skin. As long as even one police officer incites violence against anyone because of their race, there is a need for change. And right now, there’s more than just one bad cop.
While I once believed that cops were integral to American justice, I now see that it is rather the protestors of every color, gender, sexuality, and religion who are banding together, holding up their signs, and chanting the names of those who didn’t deserve to die that make our country what it is today. Without the protests that are still going on around the world, George Floyd’s killers would not be arrested, Derek Chauvin’s charge wouldn’t have increased, and cities around the country wouldn’t be initiating change within their police systems. Yes, voting is key (if you need to find out how to register, click here) but the opportunities that are afforded to us when we vote are instigated by these protests, by advocating for what we believe in, by staring down the institutions that make up our nation and saying that this isn’t right. So protest. Then vote.
There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Black lives matter and that the police system- which is supposed to uphold the rights of the American people when, in fact, it is currently depriving countless individuals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness- must be reformed. As Minneapolis moves towards dismantling their police system and New York City and Los Angeles vow to defund the police and invest in youth and social services, it is more important than ever before to continue- or take that first step and start- signing petitions, attending protests, and educating yourself and those around you. We are past the point where posting a black square on Instagram is effective; to fuel this movement, to make sure George Floyd and Breonna Taylor didn’t die in vain, and to prevent anyone else from becoming just another hashtag, every single person must lift up their voice, correct ignorant and uninformed people and family members, and start those uncomfortable conversations. There comes a time when silence is betrayal. That time is now.
