This cop is a god damn moron and a glimpse into what is plaguing the US right now. I can't believe this video. So glad I dont live down there, I know Canada isnt perfect but its definitely better.
This line of thinking really irritates me, not because it's not true, but because it's such a low bar. Our proximity to the US has greatly stunted our social policy development because they're so far behind
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to Hemi-Cuda For This Useful Post:
Not that the whole thing wasn't absurd, but it was really stupid how when the officer first approached him within a couple of feet, he had no issue with the clamper in his hand. Then when the student questioned his authority, it became a deadly weapon.
But yeah, that was really frustrating to watch. Police will often try to overstep, but there is no way they escalate it like that with a white person.
Naropa University is also a Buddhist-inspired institution known for it's counter-culture and activism, which probably also makes it a target for authoritarians. He had everything going against him... young, black, male, and a pinko hippy.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
The Following User Says Thank You to FlamesAddiction For This Useful Post:
So I took some time to reflect after the extremely negative reaction to my comments yesterday and I have some thoughts, so bear with me.
I didn't really understand at first why people would be so upset with what I said, but after a moment I came to the realization that it was obvious victim blaming, although that wasn't my intention. It's a sad reality that black people have to be concerned about any interaction with the police, but it's the reality all the same...hopefully for not much longer. I can accept that my thoughts were condescending and grossly insensitive, and for that I apologize. I won't attempt to double down on those thoughts or say they were the right take, because obviously they weren't, and that's the problem. Let me elaborate.
For those that don't know me well, I, and my whole family, do regular charity work within the Florence Fuller Foundation. This is a local charity that works to fill in the gaps in education and opportunity for those living near or below the poverty line. The work provides after school care and extra education for children of poor families, mostly people who are the working poor. The population of students is disproportionately black and latino, and so I am familiar with the problems in those communities
When I teach, I am constantly educating students on economic and social disparity in America, and how it affects minority communities much more than white communities. The school I teach at prides itself on an extremely diverse population of students from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds, not to mention a large international population.
When I discuss social justice with students, some of these exact topics come up, and the words I said yesterday have been regularly said to me by my black students, and at first I was surprised, but it is a common thought process in the black community because it's necessary for survival. And that is the problem right there. It shouldn't be necessary for survival. It shouldn't even occur to someone that their life might be in danger for a routine stop, but it is. However, it's not my place to say those things because I don't experience this myself.
I think we in the white community have a tendency to try to be paternalistic to minority communities. We think that somehow we need to save them, but that's the wrong perspective. All we have to do is be allies and advocates.
I look at my comments and I see that paternalism and insensitivity. It's not appropriate for me to say "hey, try not to get shot", but rather the discussion should pivot to saying "hey, this is horrible. How can I help?"
Just one last point: It can be hard for any of us to see how we could be part of the problem, and yesterday was a moment for me to see that clearly in myself. I consider myself to be quite progressive and sensitive to issues, but even I am not perfect and have terrible takes at times. We all do, and when people call us out it's important to stop, reflect, and listen. If enough of us do that and take it seriously, I think long-lasting change can happen, but it takes a conversation. Keep having conversations, and keep listening to each other.
Thanks for letting me air my thoughts.
I appreciate this response and you taking this opportunity as a learning experience and to see why it upset people. I cannot speak for others, but I for one accept the apology.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Crown Royal For This Useful Post:
Ironically, you might have just served yourself up as the first example in this thread of someone who actually deserves to get punched in the face by a policeman.
Quality contribution, Corsi. Maybe take a step away for some self reflection. People can have vastly different views on things, but that doesn't justify saying they deserve to be the subject of physical assault.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to woob For This Useful Post:
It's strange to see the way that common dialogue has regressed in a lot of ways.
"Hi, I'm *enter name here*. How are you doing? Oh, you're cleaning up, do you work for the University? A student? What are you taking? That's great! It was a pleasure to meet you. This is my beat, so I guess I'll see you around the neighborhood. Take care."
Rinse and repeat for everyone that you run across. Eventually you are part of the neighborhood yourself, and they will look out for you as much as you are looking out for them.
Where in the training did that get lost? Maybe when actually walking a beat was replaced with cruising in an armored vehicle?
__________________
"By Grabthar's hammer ... what a savings."
The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to Harry Lime For This Useful Post:
It's strange to see the way that common dialogue has regressed in a lot of ways.
"Hi, I'm *enter name here*. How are you doing? Oh, you're cleaning up, do you work for the University? A student? What are you taking? That's great! It was a pleasure to meet you. This is my beat, so I guess I'll see you around the neighborhood. Take care."
Rinse and repeat for everyone that you run across. Eventually you are part of the neighborhood yourself, and they will look out for you as much as you are looking out for them.
Where in the training did that get lost? Maybe when actually walking a beat was replaced with cruising in an armored vehicle?
Because too many are trained that every interaction is a confrontation and not public service.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterJoji
Johnny eats garbage and isn’t 100% committed.
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to nik- For This Useful Post:
Because now we often get Likes-to-fight guy armed to the teeth and at every chance they are told they are warriors in the war on crime/drugs/etc, complete with the gear to fight a war. Then they are constantly reminded that they are "heroes" and "first-responders" in everything they do no matter what.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to craigwd For This Useful Post:
It's strange to see the way that common dialogue has regressed in a lot of ways.
"Hi, I'm *enter name here*. How are you doing? Oh, you're cleaning up, do you work for the University? A student? What are you taking? That's great! It was a pleasure to meet you. This is my beat, so I guess I'll see you around the neighborhood. Take care."
Rinse and repeat for everyone that you run across. Eventually you are part of the neighborhood yourself, and they will look out for you as much as you are looking out for them.
Where in the training did that get lost? Maybe when actually walking a beat was replaced with cruising in an armored vehicle?
Don't worry, this is what all those gun nuts have been preaching about. The 2A was always about protecting the rest of the Constitution and anyone who goes against it. I'm sure they're ready to go to war with the police like they've been preaching for the last 50 years and stockpiling guns for.
Like where do these psychopaths get off? Oh right, because tons of people out there think he should have complied because “police”. What a joke.
Last year I had a cop (Edmonton Police) ask me to show proof of ownership of my car because he watched me get in without unlocking it first. This was at the Tim Hortons on Gateway at University Ave. My car has keyless entry and flashes the lights/beeps as it unlocks when you put your hand on the door handle with the key fob in close proximity. In this instance I hadn't even locked the car so there was no beep. I pulled the lanyard out of my pocket and pressed unlock so the lights flashed and he seemed to get the message.
Even in Canada, a large number of young black men have had an interaction with the police out of which we could make a viral video. This particular interaction is such a little thing, but I kinda doubt this guy asks random white people for proof of ownership after watching them get into a car with a coffee. There's a point where there's no sense losing sleep over stuff you can't control. I simply choose to comply in these scenarios and not make a scene so my mom doesn't have to bury me. In the future maybe my tune will change but thankfully it looks like we're maybe getting to a point where this kind of thing is becoming not okay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by White Out 403
And if you want to make the argument that they're hassled by the police more because of selective enforcement the doj reports that for a 20 year period black people accounted for over half of all murders in the states.
I am not a murderer, and I am unfairly hassled by the police. Every member of my family has had it happen to them. Then white people, from their pedestals, tell us that because white people are killed more by the police per interaction, our concerns are statistically invalid. This patronizing mantra of trying to find every possible scapegoat for racism has actually been quite entertaining to read.
Last edited by Acey; 06-15-2020 at 06:12 PM.
The Following 20 Users Say Thank You to Acey For This Useful Post:
That is also a good story about the difference between Canada and the States. If I was in your position exactly, and this had been happening in Texas, I would have been scared to death to reach into my pocket for the lanyard. I can't imagine the anxiety this #### causes.
__________________
"By Grabthar's hammer ... what a savings."
Yeah I mean I'm not trying to say that the statistics are wrong - I think way back in this thread I acknowledged black on black crime and how catastrophic that is and how bad it's tearing apart communities. Yes black people are killing each other. Yes blacks are resisting arrest... at some rate higher than white people? I dunno... I don't memorize those statistics but White out 403 seems to know them better than his own name. But why in Edmonton, Alberta am I asked to show ownership of my vehicle when I'm not dressed like a thug or otherwise doing anything wrong.
I'm living proof that are we in fact unfairly hassled by the police, and then to further say that it's justified because of homicides seems like just spraying darts at a board.
Where's that stat that black men steal vehicles in Edmonton at the highest rate? (praying this stat doesn't actually exist )
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Acey For This Useful Post:
Yeah I mean I'm not trying to say that the statistics are wrong - I think way back in this thread I acknowledged black on black crime and how catastrophic that is and how bad it's tearing apart communities. Yes black people are killing each other. Yes blacks are resisting arrest... at some rate higher than white people? I dunno... I don't memorize those statistics but White out 403 seems to know them better than his own name. But why in Edmonton, Alberta am I asked to show ownership of my vehicle when I'm not dressed like a thug or otherwise doing anything wrong.
I'm living proof that are we in fact unfairly hassled by the police, and then to further say that it's justified because of homicides seems like just spraying darts at a board.
Where's that stat that black men steal vehicles in Edmonton at the highest rate? (praying this stat doesn't actually exist )
Even if it exists, #### it. It doesn't give police the right to profile and harass you as a black man nor does it give white Canadians the right to pretend somehow that you deserve to have your rights and dignity stripped away by incompetent, thuggish police officers.
I find it absolutely mind-blowing some of the backwards reactionary bull#### being posted by some people whose posts I usually respect. It's made me rethink a lot of that respect.
We have a Charter of Rights and Freedoms here. Why do people act like the police should somehow be above that?
Blacks, Indigenous people, and People of Colour understand why we have laws and legal rights that protect everyone equally. They are the true Canadians in these debates.
The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to peter12 For This Useful Post:
In 1957, I was a freshman at Cass Technical High School. As I walked home after speaking with my favorite teacher, four white police officers jumped out of their cruiser, threw me against it and beat me severely. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Officers in the feared “Big Four” were well-known in the black community for brutally maintaining their kind of “Law and Order.” The more I screamed, the more they beat me. Time seemed to stand still as I saw the anger on their faces and the horror on the faces of black people who gathered around us, yelling for the police to stop.
After what felt like hours, they told me to get my ass out of there. I ran home crying but did not tell my parents, fearful that it would put them in danger. I was 14, the same age as Emmett Till when he was killed in Mississippi two years earlier. I was scared, angry and confused. Why did they hurt me?
[...]
As a rookie officer, I encountered overt and casual bigotry and routine denigration and brutality. Many white officers refused to ride alongside black officers. Some made cardboard dividers in patrol cars — designating the “white” section from the “colored.” Others used Lysol to “disinfect” seats where black officers sat. Some of my white colleagues refused to speak with me during shifts, dared not eat near or with me, and frequently used the N-word to describe me and the African American citizens they were sworn to protect.
Two years later, I felt the sting of betrayal as an officer during the 1967 rebellion. One night, after a grueling shift, two white DPD officers pulled me over. I was still in uniform, badge affixed to my chest and a #2 pin on my collar, indicating that I worked in the 2nd Precinct. I identified myself as a fellow officer, thinking they would see me as an equal. Instead, one pointed his gun at me and said, “Tonight you’re going to die, n-----,” before discharging his weapon. I dove back into my vehicle and miraculously managed to escape. I realized then that not even our shared uniform could save me from their racism. And I wondered that if they were willing to shoot and kill a black police officer, what were they willing to do to black civilians?
[...]
When I was chief, a white DPD officer pulled me over one night. He approached my unmarked vehicle and without looking at me, asked for my license and registration. Wanting to see how far this would go, I said, "Yes officer." At some point, he recognized who he had stopped and immediately apologized. My question to him was, “Why did you stop me?” He said, "I thought it was a stolen car." The officer was reprimanded for his actions.
[...]
If my uniform, badge and education cannot protect me from anti-black violence, what can? Now is the time to get to the heart of the matter: There must be a major effort to fundamentally restructure police departments so that they actually do what they promise: Serve and protect all people.
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to MarchHare For This Useful Post:
Where's that stat that black men steal vehicles in Edmonton at the highest rate? (praying this stat doesn't actually exist )
I have no idea what the stats actually are, but let's suppose for a moment that white men steal vehicles in Edmonton more than other demographic groups. Do you think white people would tolerate for one second being racially profiled and harassed by cops just because people who look like them are statistically more likely to be vehicle thieves? No effing way. If we think it's wrong if white people were victimized by that kind of abuse of power, it's equally wrong when historically-marginalized minority groups are treated that way.
Even if it exists, #### it. It doesn't give police the right to profile and harass you as a black man nor does it give white Canadians the right to pretend somehow that you deserve to have your rights and dignity stripped away by incompetent, thuggish police officers.
True. I just mean it from the perspective that if somebody said, "well black people in Edmonton have a high propensity of stealing cars and here's the statistic to prove it" I'd at least acknowledge that the statistic is of relevance and could somehow be correlated to an officer questioning if I was stealing a car.
Where it becomes BS is the notion that this selective enforcement is justified because of a 20 year historical homicide rate in a different country, as if that somehow has any bearing on me carrying a coffee in Edmonton in broad daylight to a modern car that's fairly difficult to steal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarchHare
I have no idea what the stats actually are, but let's suppose for a moment that white men steal vehicles in Edmonton more than other demographic groups. Do you think white people would tolerate for one second being racially profiled and harassed by cops just because people who look like them are statistically more likely to be vehicle thieves? No effing way. If we think it's wrong if white people were victimized by that kind of abuse of power, it's equally wrong when historically-marginalized minority groups are treated that way.
Yes, I agree... it would apply to anybody. Just a blatantly poor tactic of law enforcement under any circumstance.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Acey For This Useful Post:
)
