Cops vs Black People Round IV: Turnsignalgate
 

Is this even slightly believable? A Texas state trooper stops a black woman for not indicating when she turned, hauls her out of the car like a criminal, using offensive and rough language, stops her using her phone (which I don't think he has any right to do), takes her to jail when she languishes over the weekend and is FOUND HANGED THERE???

Say Her Name: Sandra Bland

Jul 22, 2015 | By CAP Action War Room
The Tragic Death of Sandra Bland, The Broader Problem Of Police Violence, And What We Can Do

The tragic death of Sandra Bland is the latest incident to underscore the important conversation about racial injustice and the excessive use of force by police that is taking place at dinner tables, on social media, and at presidential forums around the country. A new video of her arrest adds more details to the event in which an African American women pulled over for failing to use a turn signal was then arrested, and found hanging in her jail cell three days later. Her arrest and cause of death remain in dispute, and the FBI is investigating the matter.

For a complete timeline of the arrest and to see the video itself, check out a New York Times rundown here. Due in large part to social media, Bland’s death has received a lot of attention since the video of her arrest was circulated. In general, though, it is rare for black women brutalized by police to receive this much attention. Public figures — including President Barack Obama — continue to overlook them in some cases: “The bottom line is that in too many places, black boys and black men, Latino boys and Latino men experience being treated differently under the law,” Obama said at the NAACP Annual Convention last week.

While Bland’s death is an apparent suicide and is still under investigation, the extent of the problem of police killings is beginning to come into greater focus (a suicide is no less tragic, of course, and the rate jail suicides is extraordinarily high). One of the big issues is the fact that we have never had good data on exactly how often police officers kill civilians. But there are two new projects now keeping count in real time — and the numbers are astronomical. According to The Guardian, 637 people have been killed by police so far this year. The Washington Post, meanwhile, is tracking police shootings and counts 535 of those. That’s almost three people shot and killed by police every day this year. While neither of these are official counts, these numbers underscore that the problem goes far beyond the occasional high-profile incidents we write about and talk about.

The elevation of the dialogue around these important issues – to the point where many presidential candidates are discussing them – is a very important step toward meaningful solutions. Efforts at legislation are being made as well. The Senate introduced a bill in early June that would require increased data collection on incidents involving use of force by or against law enforcement officers. In the wake of the Charleston shooting, House Democrats introduced a bill that would allow the CDC to study gun violence, which it has been banned from doing since 1996 thanks to the NRA. It was swiftly blocked by House Republicans.

Our colleagues at the Center for American Progress have also put out recommendations to reform the criminal justice system, including to increase the federal government’s oversight of police conduct, implement ‘implicit bias’ training, collect better data, and increase the use of special prosecutors in police misconduct investigations. Given the new bills and involvement of the FBI in investigating Sandra Bland’s death, some of these are playing more of a role already.

BOTTOM LINE: Sandra Bland should be alive today. Her tragic death illuminates a number of serious problems with our current system of criminal justice and with the way many black people –including black women– are treated in America. While these issues are raising in their importance to the highest levels of government, we can’t act quickly enough.



Am I on another planet all of a sudden? What the **** is going on over there? Anyone live in Texas can enlighten me as to how this can happen in the 21st century? Is this not the equivalent of "You got a busted taillight/sorry officer/ you bein' smart boy/ No sir/ Get out of the car/ yes sir/ Look out he's got a gun!"??????????

Not in Texas, but from Alaska (which is way way, mucho bigger than Texas btw). I don't know why our cops are so rude and entitled in the US. I figured it was a matter of power corrupts. In the US, cops have a lot of power. I think it would be easy for a percentage of them to start getting in their head that their way is the right way and their biases and prejudices and personal beliefs begin to dictate their authoritative behavior and they feel justified in it.

i'm not trying to start something, or discredit this particular story, but honestly i think the cops vs black people narrative that the media has been pushing lately is really irresponsible and counter productive. i know that a lot of people probably mean well, and i am on board with the idea that the police need reforming.

but the constant alarmist propaganda campaign that basically tells black people day in and day out that the cops are out to get them is potentially very destructive and at best it's just going to fan the flames. i think people should think more carefully about cause and effect before they launch these campaigns. they should think about what kinds of unintended consequences the campaigns might yield. and make no mistake about it: there is a campaign. it's not just a series of coincidental news stories. at this point, it's been made blatantly obvious that for whatever reason this is a media agenda.

I agree on the national level. But there are certain places where the cops do seem to be out to get the blacks.

A lot of it comes down to racial profiling. Blacks are more likely to be violent criminals in a lot of neighborhoods, so the cops suspect every black person on sight.

there are a lot of issues on both sides that need addressing. an example of "racial profiling" can be that cops can't always tell who the drug dealer is cause it seems like everyone dresses and acts like a drug dealer. try reading this thread if you are interested

KMC Forums - For Blacks Americans, US about as dangerous as Rwanda

...

Um, "Cops vs Black People" was your idea, I'm just piggy-backing on it....

"cops vs black people" was meant to be a satirical statement on the current media narrative

I think it would help if they focused more on cops being out of control than just the violence directed at black people. Obviously, the racial issue is a legitimate concern but the bigger picture is how cops are functioning as a whole. I feel like this should be taken step by step, and the first step is reforming the system as a whole, then the focus can shift to racial profiling, crimes against minorities, and police bias.

Yes, which I piggybacked upon.
Look, it doesn't matter what the thread is called, the sentiment still stands. This is crazy as ****. What's next? People arrested for whistling on a Tuesday? Lookin' at me kinda funny?

i think really the police in general is an overblown issue.. but of course there's always room for improvement.. it would be more forgivable if they were just trying to get police to behave better in general like you said... but i'd say, put cameras on them, sure.. beyond that, do we really need this massive campaign? these kids forget.. they act like this is a new issue.. the current state of affairs is a result of a work in progress.. transforming a caste type society with strict racial boundaries to a multiracial melting pot where everyone is equal. that **** is not going to be smooth all the time.. but i would say my interactions with everyday people here in the south, which is supposed to be the most racist part of the country, is that most white people and black people in general want to move on from that ****. so we really don't need a bunch of liberals stirring the pot with their cops hate black people propaganda campaign.. that only serves to sew the seeds of distrust.

nah cause me and you seem to have different messages

i'm saying don't believe the hype

and you're saying not only should you believe the hype, but enroll in the nearest black panthers chapter to fight off these white terrorist cops

It's statistics, nothing personal or attributed directly to race. It's a result of post-WWII economic crunch, in which blacks were getting shoved into neighborhoods that got neglected by standard community services, creating a ****ty environment for anybody to grow up in. Young black males were being excluded from the typical community organizations (e.g., Boy Scouts). The education sucked, the police and hospital services sucked. For somebody of any race, that creates an unstable environment and crime rates go up; but it was worse because there was systematic prejudice (a bunch of white people, even the ones that had good intentions, were ignorant of black issues and didn't know how to address them so their policies were ethnocentric).

Gang activity in such neighborhoods is often a sort of replacement of those services deprived. It provides a community environment, a type of security or safety, and a trade skills that are economically viable. But it also further increases crime rates.

Yer so matter of fact sometimes ya sound dickish.

@ xurtio

see you want to be careful saying **** like that tbh

cause yea, you could say that the crips in LA or the vice lords in chicago originally started as a sort of community-based security force... but modern day gangs operate more along the lines of cartels... motivated by profit, they basically hold an entire neighborhood hostage so they can use it as part of their criminal enterprise

I don't understand how I sound dickish. I am matter of fact, yeah, but honest discussion is preferred to sugar coating isn't it?

:laughing: No.

Well, I can't be part of a discussion if it requires some form of lying. I'm too aspie for that.

:laughing: samuel l jackson is an irl troll

http://www.comicbookreligion.com/img...k_panthers.jpg
I don't think it can be considered hype when it's caught on video pal. What's "hype" about it? You think it was staged? The woman died, ffs! Hanged in her cell. For not indicating when she turned. You think she committed suicide over that?? :yikes:

Come on bro
http://pophouston.org/pictures/E-new.../Get-Real1.png

What a pussy.

@trollheart

lol. like i said i'm not saying this specific story is fake or that this type of **** is ok

i'm saying that clearly there is a directed media campaign to drum this **** up at this point... every single incident where a cop and a black person have an altercation gets huge press cause that's the big story atm. and for whatever reason, it makes white liberals feel better about themselves to "fight the man" alongside their black friends, as if police brutality is the main issue facing black americans atm. 400-500 people are murdered in chicago each year due to gang violence. most of them are black. black people have a lot worse to look out for than the cops in the majority of black neighborhoods.. and this campaign to reform the police by amplifying every little incident on the national stage and rallying around it is poison. it will bring you nothing but further hostility from both sides.

Altercation? Don't you mean armed white cops shooting unarmed black kids?

And you and your liberal and media excuse for everything. Give it a rest man.

I think he thought that Samuel would have gone all Jules on his ass if he'd have said it.

I actually call bs on that. I'm not "gettin' with my black brothers" (or in this case sister): I just think that whether the colour matters or not, the fact that this kind of thing can happen in this day and age is just unbelievable.

And the trooper was suspended for --- wait for it -- lack of courtesy?? :yikes:
Don't you think the media should be highlighting this? If they weren't you'd be saying there was some conspiracy to keep such stories out of the news. Can't win with you man, can't win. :(

Wanna know what amuses me.....All of you guys are white^. Actually all these threads amuse me because you talk about the situations so clinically. You all watch whatever channel appeals to your political veiws, or read something and spout it back on the forum. Im fucking annoyed by it so often I dont chime in but every so often. Just so you soulless nerds know your talking about people, with thoughts, emotions, hearts and souls.Not a news blip or a stat. Y'all some stone cold honkeys and stop talking about black folks like we,(I) can't read.

We talk about white people issues clinically too. How do you solve a problem if you can't maintain objectivity? Talk about environmental issues objectively too.. I guess since we aren't plants that also amuses you?

Thanks yer emtional midgetry is always ****ing insightful Morgan.

Instead of bashing us you could explain how you feel and perhaps enlighten me (anyone else with an open mind).

You really think this comment downplays the severity of the problem?

Thb yer post is less offensive. How do you think you'd feel even if you were raised by white people and completely comfortable with white people yet somewhere you hang out talks about you in a fashion that makes even the most confused yet comfortable black chick a tad uncomfortable.

Also Im not asking you guys to stop talking about it, not at all. Rather understand that people, members, ie friends Dj, myself, soulflower can read and sux being talked about like your not here.

Just because I don't get emotionally invested doesn't mean I don't respect or lack the capability of understanding how it might make you and others feel. It's possible to have objective conversations about sensitive issues without coming off like an asshole, and I think I do that pretty well (and make a conscious effort to do so).

Listen, Im not saying I didn't snap on yo asses, I most certainly did. Im not sorry, nor will I apologize only because I felt it needed to be said.Ive read things on this board in the last month that are quite frankly astounding, and hurtful as well as childish and just plain ridiculous.
And to cap it off someone who knows persecution at every moment in their life thought they were man/woman enough to use the n word with impunity and Im disgusted. Some of you ought to uh learn some social skillz .

lol wut

btw i agree with roxy

**** yall peckerwoods

What are you talking about? Are you having one of your barely coherent rants again?

How could they talk about it like you're here?
Would they have to say "Hi, Roxy" or "Sorry, black MB members" before every sentence?
I don't really participate in those kinds of discussions, but this made me curious.

I can't help what colour I was born, Roxy. Like I said to JWB, I'm not getting into a crusade and saying "oh those poor black people! Someone should do something!" :yikes: I'm genuinely upset about this incident: it kept me awake the night I saw it on the news. The fact that the woman was black doesn't actually matter that much to me: had this been a white woman (or man) I would have had the same reaction: humans mistreating humans just because they have a badge and with no provocation makes me physically sick.

I apologise if it seemed like I was making a cold clinical issue out of this: I was not. I just think it's awful (for one horrible second I thought "Jesus! What if that lady was Roxy!!!") and I honestly don't see how just because you're one colour you can't feel for, get outraged and have sympathy for those who are not the same colour as you. Isn't that what humanity is supposed to be all about?

i know your post was directed at roxy, but just to clarify... my rants were aimed at the general media campaign to push the narrative of systemic police brutality and racism towards black people, not saying you shouldn't sympathize with someone if something like this happens, be they black or white. your thread just reminded me of it which is why i posted it here.

basically for me, the question is: do you think there is a deliberate media campaign seeking to amplify every recent incident of police misconduct.. specifically where the alleged victims are black? because with the way the news has been going lately, i don't see how anyone could conclude otherwise, unless it just so happens that police brutality against black people has suddenly spiked out of nowhere. which i very much doubt is the case. i would like to see some statistics regarding that question, either way.

but if it is the case that police brutality hasn't significantly increased.. that instead, the the more and more local incidents are being amplified and sent out to the national stage, then you can only conclude that it's the reporting that has changed, not the police.

and so you might take the stance that before they weren't reporting it enough, and now they're doing the right thing.

or you might think that they are manufacturing a narrative to suit a particular political agenda, that they later intend to use as rhetorical leverage.

but either way let's be honest about what's happening, so we're all on the same page.

and chula you can mock me all you want for "blaming the media" but i'm just pointing out what i think they are doing. i'm not blaming them for this woman's death or saying that the police in question, if they did something wrong, shouldn't be held accountable. what i'm saying is if the media are engaging in a directed campaign to push the narrative of black americans being consistently mistreated by the police... and that narrative is at all exagerrated or out of step with reality... then they are potentially doing more harm than good.

because yea, the media is powerful. what they say matters. it doesn't matter if you are black, white, whatever.. they shape the discourse of the public. when they say obamacare has death panels, it doesn't matter whether it actually does or not.. cause in the minds of millions of americans, for a time at least, obamacare had death panels.

so then if we decide oh cops are out of line we need cameras on cops, lets have a campaign to rally around every possible incident that could lend to this narrative so we can make it happen, you might do some good and get the police depts to put cameras on their cops. in the process of doing so.. you might also convince x amount of susceptible black youth who are watching your campaign that they shouldn't trust the police... which only makes the problem even harder to solve

imo

I'm not mocking you. Just pointing out that it's become a cliche with you to point the finger at "the liberal media".

https://action.dccc.org/page/-/satel...eader_body.png

Would vote for.