Friday Links

Hi All:
Yes Bxgrl and I agree with your comment:

“a white man running down the street with a firearm and no id as an officer isn’t a good idea either. I could be wrong but my belief is that the officers who shot would have done the same if Officer Edwards were white”

But it also brings me to say this:

Had those approaching cops had been black, it is my sad, but strong belief that it would have produced the same results, because, while it was not the only factor in Edwards shooting, the issue of racial bias factored into this situation.

But I also believe that if Edwards had been white, he probably would have been fired upon too. However, I would be willing to bet, given the logistics & e circumstances the white officer might have given it a second thought. That split second of hesitation might have saved a life. It was a wicked combination that ended Edwards life. If any one of those things had been different he might still be alive.

People of all races have biases, how we develop them and how they factor into our decision making is very complicated. But knowing this, addressing this, and engaging in the work that keeps it from spinning out of control is what is necessary and important. I do not know that there is a place for that kind of “program” within police work. I would hate to think or even admit this. So, the commissioner had better have a lot more up his sleeve than just promoting more officers of color.

“What about the racism against the white cops who scored higher on the test but won’t get the promotion because of racial promotion quotas. Affirmative action is racism to the people it unfairly puts out of a promotion or job and condescending to groups that it’s suppossed to help, pure and simple”

Joe, in spite of BG, I’ll happily jump right in, because the context is so ironic:

White cops score higher than Black cops on some test, but shoot Black undercovers on the street.

Black cops score lower than white cops on test, but have not yet ever shot a white u/c.

Therefore, as has been said by many, the test is flawed, because it is not related to real, on-the-street police work.

joe- that’s not a discussion I think anyone feels like getting into today. Suffice it to say “racism” is not the correct word to use in this case. While I agree certain aspects of affirmative action may have resulted in some unfairness, those effects are the result of poorly thought out procedures, not malevolence. racism is based in malevolence.

well coming from the viewpoint of a potential and actual victim I “think” so. Especially after having been mugged by a gang of Black kids who held a gun to the back of my head.

That still doesn’t make me cringe every time I see a Black teenager coming toward me or feel uncomfortable. I don’t look at Black teenagers as anything other than, well, teenagers. But if I saw one waving a gun and running, my first thought would not be- oh, he’s an undercover cop. My first thought would be to get safe and make sure those around me were safe. And if he were white or Asian or American Indian, I’d feel the same way. They’re dangers.

denton- sorry- i think you’re simplyfying. Anyone running down the street waving a firearm is not first thought of as a cop but as a danger. More so if uniformed officers make their presence known and the person with the firearm does not respond. White cops are not automatically racist, and I think neither of us are really qualified to claim we know what cops are really thinking in situations like this. They’re tragic and often preventable but each situation has to be considered on its own. I don’t blanket condemn anyone.