Enforcers category archive
Driving while Black . . . (Updated) 0
. . . is a dangerous thing to do. Here’s a bit from a report at The Root:
Pursuits are among the most dangerous police activities. They have killed more than 6,200 people since 1999. Black people make up 13 percent of the U.S. population but are 28 percent of those killed in pursuits whose race was known.
Among the findings (which strongly confirm a disparity and a likely bias in policing):
- Blacks have been killed at a disproportionate rate in pursuits every year since 1999. On average, 90 black people were killed each year in police chases, nearly double what would be expected based on their percentage of the population.
- Deadly pursuits of black drivers were twice as likely to start over minor offenses or non-violent crimes. In 2013 and 2014, nearly every deadly pursuit triggered by an illegally tinted window, a seat-belt violation or the smell of marijuana involved a black driver.
- Black people were more likely than whites to be chased in more crowded urban areas, during peak traffic hours and with passengers in their cars, all factors that can increase the danger to innocent bystanders. Chases of black motorists were about 70 percent more likely to wind up killing a bystander.
Oh me, oh my, I wonder why.
Much more at the link.
Addendum, Just a Little Later:
If these folks had been Not White, do you think police would have peppered them with spray or with bullets?
Be honest, now.
A Poem, Not by Henry Gibson 0
Oh, hell. I couldn’t resist.
- This is your weapon.
This is your gun.
This one’s for fighting.
This one’s for fun.
Fear Is a Defense (Updated) 0
At the Boston Review, Simon Waxman examines a recent Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling that a black man’s running from the cops is not in and of itself an offense. Rather, indeed, it can be justifiable due to a history of police conduct. Here’s an excerpt; follow the link for the full article.
On appeal, the SJC determined that the vague description of Warren and his companion, and their flight from officers, were insufficient grounds for a police seizure. In doing so, the justices validated, to some degree, black men’s fear of police.
The ruling acknowledges that, in light of enduring police misconduct, black men have good reason to flee the police.
Addendum, Later That Same Day:
In the Vice Presidential Debate, Mike Pence said it’s better not to talk about this sort of stuff so as to avoid hurting the fee-fees of the po-po.
Addendum Afterthought:
The creative thinking of those who would defend racism and racist behavior does tend to amaze, does it not?
The View from Afar 0
Leonard Pitts, Jr., wonders how they do it.
All That Was Old Is New Again 0
Back in the olden days, when I was a young ‘un, segregationists would always claim that civil rights demonstrations were the work of “outside agitators” because, according to them, “our darkies are happy darkies.”
I guess it’s comforting that some things haven’t changed.
Made Up Stuff You See on Television 0
If you watch mystery shows, you’ve seen them.
Those scenes in which a police officer, usually Our Hero, the Great Detective, has to re-qualify on the firing range: The officer walks into a simulated alley as figures representing gangsters or law-abiding citizens pop up in the smoke. The officer has to decide quickly whether to shoot or not. Errors result in penalties.
If such trials do indeed exist in real life, they clearly do not work and there are certainly no penalties.
If You Do Not Have an Attorney . . . 0
. . . and you live in Louisiana, you are SOL.
Prisoners of the Privatization Scam 0
Warning: Language.
