Police

Dear My Perspective,

With the ever growing racial profiling and mistreatment of blacks by police officers, how does one deal with this? Seeing incidents like what happened to Kathryn Johnston, Dymond Milburn, Virginia Dotson, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Omar Edwards, Henry Louis Gates, the police are starting to scare me. Many told me that the police do not serve and protect black people. So what do I do if I need them?

Signed,
Scared

Dear Scared,

No doubt that racial profiling exists, not just by police but by store owners/employees and regular people on the street. Blacks (and Mulattoes) are not seen as individuals, nor treated like individuals. It's best to know now, that blacks are not given the benefit of the doubt.

there are certain ways you must act, though I can't promise that it will ensure your safety.

1. speak only when spoken to.
2. stay calm, keep voice low.
3. when you have to move or grab something (such as your I.D.), make it a point, to tell them, that you are grabbing your I.D. out of your purse or wallet or pocket. do as they say.
   
4. try not to argue with them, if you are a minority, just disagreeing with them is considered "disturbing the peace" and "resisting arrest".

As for when you need the police. It is often known by most, when you don't need the police they are always around. But when you need them they are not there for you. It is important to not expect much of the police. But its still a good idea to file out a police report or call them when you need them. You never know, you may get the rare police officer that actually cares for his job.

One must realize, as a black person, male or female, light or dark, young or old, rich or poor, all blacks are one in the same in the eyes of non-blacks. None are treated like individuals.

The police are a powerful force, that are over-abusing their power and are getting away with it. There isn't anything that can be done about it. All you, the individual (yes you are an individual no matter what society says) can do in life, is do what you must do for yourself. Use discretion. Each situation is different. Just be as cautious as you can be.

Racism is always going to exist, so don't do things in hopes that whites will be impressed or will accept you, do things because that's what you want to do.

As for when you are accused of something you didn't do. All I can suggest is that you do your best to defend yourself. But try to maintain the steps mentioned earlier in the process.

Each situation is different, and these tips mentioned may not necessarily help you in whatever situation you are in. Since I have no specific situation to go with, these are simply general rules to at least think about.