5 Ways to Fight Police Brutality
Recently there has been a lot of controversy about the cops who have been killed in Oakland. In the comments on our story Oakland’s Civil War: The People Vs The Police, some readers seemed to gloat over the fact that cops were killed.
There is a difference between a cop killing an African American and an African American killing a cop. Police are fully aware that they have a dangerous job in which they may get killed or injured dealing with criminals when they sign up for the job. Criminals whether they be black or white do not represent the black community but police do represent the government. Black citizens did not sign up for being at risk for police brutality or killings.
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When unarmed peaceful civilians are killed by the police, they are being killed by agents of the government that is supposed to represent them. It is this failure of government that must be addressed.
In several other NewsOne stories on police brutality (4 Police Officers Killed in Oakland) I’ve seen a lot of anger, however it must channeled more effectively than just saying f- the police or calling them pigs or gloating over police killings. If this anger is channeled correctly we can take action to actually reduce the amount of police brutality. If this anger is channeled incorrectly it can result into a war with the police that will only lead to more violence and brutality.
Here are my 5 Ways To Stop Police Brutality:
1. Protests
Police stations, city hall and other government venues must be protested against and marched on after every incident of police brutality.
2. Record the Police
We must use our cameras every time police harass us to catch them in the act. Then we can use the Internet and the viral media to expose these actions worldwide. In their heyday, the Black Panthers would do this. They had a police watch and would follow the police with a camera and record their actions. Now that cameras are so cheap and people have cameras on their phones, it is a lot easier to hold the police accountable for their actions.
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3. Vote Out Politicians Who Condone Police Brutality
Politicians who do not address issues like police brutality must be voted out of office. Rappers should be spending a lot less time glamorizing black on black crime and dissing each other, and more time documenting police brutality. African American entertainers and activists have a strong voice in America and they must also use that voice to fight the problems in our community.
4. Engage in Dialogue With the Cops
We must use moderate police organizations to work with the police to stop police brutality. Groups like 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement have done a lot to combat police brutality and people should work with them as an intermediary to deal with community issues with the police.
5. Take Legal Action Against Police
We need to take legal action as well. The best way to hurt police brutality is by hitting them in the pocket. If the police keep on getting sued for brutality they’ll be forced to deal with the issue. Every incident of police brutality should be reported to both the government and the media.
Black people pay taxes and therefore they also pay police salaries. Police should be in the communities to serve and protect not to harass and arrest. The war on drugs is really a war on the black community. Black people are treated like insurgents in occupied territory and not citizens in need of protection. We need to address how the war on drugs has become a war on black males that has caused more problems than it has helped.
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So what do YOU think? If I left some good tips out, let me know in the Comments. It’s not enough to be angry at law enforcement and saying F-the Police. We must channel our anger into actions that will stop police brutality in the future.
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Comments
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ugetwatugive8-4-2009 4:15 pm
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trisha_3697-29-2009 11:09 pm
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dgqman7-28-2009 6:00 am
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davettalashley7-1-2009 3:24 pm
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jamal-s6-25-2009 3:05 pm
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BriannaL886-9-2009 2:03 pm
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violator-nine6-9-2009 12:45 pm
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itsmeChrissy9015-22-2009 1:04 am
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YAKUILLASIN5-21-2009 6:17 pm
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kicola775-20-2009 6:22 am
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qeutiepei5-14-2009 7:46 pm
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GOLDBARS4-21-2009 5:56 pm
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phulsadoom4-3-2009 6:28 pm
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tmf7263-31-2009 2:43 pm
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Imhotep_one3-30-2009 9:55 am
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Imhotep_one3-30-2009 9:38 am
« Previous 1 2Trisha, That is why I am leaving North Carolina. This is a racist state and the police need to be dealt with. There is someone in every office of law enforcement and the media that is either related to or sleeping with someone in another department. Then you have the Good ‘ol boys network/club, and if you are not down with them then you are subject to the same treatment that criminals get and you will not be able to get ahead. It is like they are the Klan down here. I am going back North where, I will not have to deal with this type of crap. It doesn’t make any sense. Pretty soon there is going to be a revelution and this country will surely be a third world country for real. We are already looked at as a country full of bullies and the way that Bush handled things showed that he was nothing but a liar, and a low class wanting to be high class thug. I am glad that Obama escorted him off of the White house grounds. Yet, if it were me, I would have made his punk butt walk. Still I understand, he wanted to take the trash out quickly because it was stinking up the place. LOL.
YOUR 5 STEPS TO STOP POLICE BRUTALITY-ONLY WORK FOR SOME PEOPLE. IN MY SMALL NOT SO FRIENDLY TOWN FOREST CITY,NORTH CAROLINA-COPS DO WHAT THEY WANT & GET AWAY WITH IT. I HAVE DONE ALL THE THINGS YOU SAID, IN YOUR FIVE STEPS AND NOTHING WORKED. WHEN CALLING THE NEWS REPORTERS-THEY STATE THEY CAN’T COME OUT BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS TO COVER THE STORY… OUT OF 4 DIFFERENT NEWS REPORTERS. I EVEN CALLED THE NEWS PAPER TO DO A COVER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT DO A COVER BECAUSE THEY WORK,WITH THE POLICE. I CALLED EVERYONE THAT HAD THE RIGHT TO PUT A STOP TO ALL THE MADNESS IN OUR SO CALLED POLICE DEPARTMENT. ONCE AGAIN-I GET THE RUN AROUND AND ONCE AGAIN NOTHING IS DONE.
I think we should fight back and protect ourselves. Who knows they could kill someone and say they we resisted arrest. Well for me i would protect myself no matter what. We as Black African Americans are harrassed day in and day out.
1. ORGANIZE
2. PLAN
3. NEUTRALIZE
He mentioned the Black Panthers, but only mentioned one aspect of what it was they did. Yes they did do police watches, but they also DEFENDED the community from police. It’s not enough to let the police do what they want to do and THEN send a email of the video or start a law suit AFTER the fact. The BPP was also armed. The police beat people’s asses and kill us because even if they get in trouble later, they’re still in control at that time. We need more preventative measures. Voting politicians who support police brutality out of office is good, but people need to “police” their own communities at the same time.
Peace
Qeutiepel: I agree with your post. The police will smash your phone and will take your camera. The second an officer steps into his or her uniform an ego bigger than you could imagine has taken over. Unfortunately because the government controls us, and police are part of that government, they in part, can control us as well. I believe that police brutality will never end. They have the government on their side. The view on our government takes a different spin. It is pathetic that our government is being used against us. Corruption has entered our nation and government and it will never leave. With any type of hierarchy there will be emotions and egos. I like this section which you included in the article… “When unarmed peaceful civilians are killed by the police, they are being killed by agents of the government that is supposed to represent them. It is this failure of government that must be addressed.” This is a great point that you presented to the readers. Corruption of power in the government needs to end!
You have some very good points int this posting. There are too many blacks that are willing to simply deal with these issues rather than take action with the occurence. Most simply dont understand the legal system or simply dont have the money to hire a lawer and pursue lawsuits…. But thats where the video and exposure comes in. If good evidence can be taken to local media and brocasted, It will be easier to get help. But the first step is always to file a complaint….
We have to stop accepting the status quo. If we all take action, a difference can be made. It takes brave voices and real action, not just online rhetoric. Good article!
One person can’t do it alone and in today’s dog eat dog world,everyone is just out for self. I’ve been through this myself and there is vurtualy no help.The constitution starts off with “we the people” right?? Then from there
“they the people” Constructed the society and laws that govern today’s way of life. Get it together people!!! or win the lotto and stock pile..if you know what I mean. The “Game”.. is only gonna get worse….And last but not least. Buy my album!!! Insight for problems and problem solving.”The Darker Side Of Light” http://www.myspace.com/yakuillasin
Peace
-YAKUILLASIN-
Police officers and detectives have a lot of deep emotional issues, without the uniform they would be nothing in life.
Police will smash ur phone. ur camera they will get you for catching them in the act.
can you be arrested for video taping a police officer
it s a full commitment , start a paper trai complaint, ombudsman , their union , start legal motions recite codes ( statutes which have been violate & imfringed upon)
doc**ent everything photos notes dates time attire… i have done so with alaska state troopers…doc**ents go in their file & are discoverable for court, promotions , raises etc.
What makes the job of a policeman more danagerous than a fisherman, or a limberman? My point is “police officers” really do not have an inheriently deadly job (it maybe dangerous, but there lies the difference)and are no more of a hero nor lay down any more than the aforesaid mentioned people. People tend to tread toward those things in life that at the moment seems to give them the most compensation, and saddly for too many police officers, “SERVICE” does not rank as pure of a reason as the job needs.
I believe all of your ideas on this subject is helpful; job well done. I especially like idea # 4: Engage in Dialogue with the cops. The 100 Blacks In Law Enforcement Who Care is a brilliant effort to prevent POLICE BRUTALITY IN AMERICA. Mr. Vernon C. Wells, if you get this message, please share what you do with the NBPA i.e, National Black Police Association and others.
With respect to POLICE BRUTALITY, we need to take immediate executive, legislative and judicial action to STOP GOVERNMENT SANCTIONED POLICE CRIMES AGAINST AMERICAN CITIZENS.