Five Black Cops Go to Jail

Or The Strange Case of Normalizing Police Violence

The Spread of The Disease Out of the South [AI author driven image]

Now before any supremacist has the urge to point out that the five cops who beat Tyre Nichols to death and say it doesn’t count as legitimate racist violence, let’s just take a brief look at the historical truth that structured that beating and some elements of actions that designed the beating response. Perhaps then we could decide if this is black-on-black violence or white-on-black violence.

First, let’s look at the factor of place. Being black in America is like being white in America: it depends on the imprint history leaves on a place. I know because as a white person I am more prejudice against Southern white men than northern white men, and least afraid of California white men. So, where you grow up counts in shaping your viewpoint and designs the difference strength levels of your prejudice.

Despite the facts that prejudice against black Americans seems ubiquitous, I would argue that the “strength level” makes a difference into the violence presentation. Violence is everywhere by police, but I would argue it presents differently. For example, it is common to not expect as much violence for black Americans in well healed suburbs in the North or California. You should expect a bit more civility though strong suspicion will still abound when a police officer encounters a black man. But…