Law Enforcement
-
Tim Scott Won’t Acknowledge Systemic Racism and Defunding Police Because He Actually Wants to Stop Systemic Racism…By Defunding the Police
I believe words matter…sometimes. But sometimes, words are stupid. For instance, remember when Republicans were upset because President Barack Obama wouldn’t say the words “radical Islamic terrorism” because Obama was kinda busy hunting down Osama Bin Laden and killing him? That was stupid. Then again, I am a writer and words are the foundation of…
-
'Karen McMuffin' Just Had a Human Moment Under Stress…Which Is Why No Human Should Have the Legal Right to Kill
In 2018, after a long and hard day of writing blogs about white privilege and gluten-free pancakes, I drove to the Wendy’s a few blocks from my house to get a Baconater, a frosty, and some fries. When I pulled up to the drive-thru window, the cashier said it might be a while because they…
-
When a Bad Apple Spoils a New Barrel: New Study Unpacks the Dangers of Hiring Previously Fired Cops
One of the most confounding distortions of language centers around the colloquialism of “bad apples” with regard to policing. The phrase is frequently used to minimize the severity of the policing problem in this country: Why say policing itself is the problem when we can focus on throwing out the few “bad apples” of the…
-
Tyler Perry Reportedly Funding Rayshard Brooks' Funeral
Atlanta resident Rayshard Brooks was killed by a white police officer over the weekend, and writer-director-producer-actor Tyler Perry is reportedly funding the 27-year-old’s funeral. The attorney for the Brooks’ family, L. Chris Stewart, confirmed the news during a conference on June 15. “We want to thank and acknowledge Tyler Perry, who we spoke with, who…
-
No More Cop-aganda: Paramount Network Cuts the Cord on Cops, America's Longest-Running Reality TV Show
This is the kind of “cancel culture” you can get behind. Paramount Network has decided to can Cops, which was scheduled to premiere its 33rd season on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return,” a spokesperson…
-
Louisiana Family Wants Answers After Father Dies in Police Custody
Tommie McGlothen’s family were suspicious when Shreveport, La., police told them that he had died of a heart attack while in police custody. Cellphone video released earlier this week proved that, unfortunately, their suspicions were right. KSLA reports that cellphone video shows the 44- year- old McGlothen being beaten and tased by four Shreveport police…
-
The Police Would Rather Kill White People Than Stop Killing Black People
I was reminded last week, while watching the clip of 75-year-old Martin Gugino getting pushed by Buffalo police officers and cracking his head open, of a Twitter thread a few years ago by Gene Demby. I cannot find the actual thread right now (perhaps someone can help me and I’ll add a link to it)…
-
Defund Police vs. #8CantWait Reforms: Differing Calls for Change to Address Police Brutality
Two major calls to action have emerged in the current uprising against police brutality triggered by the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor—not to mention the numerous incidents of cops around the country violently cutting down peaceful protesters and members of the media alike. Protestors in cities across the country have been calling for…
-
What You Can Do to Lift Up Breonna Taylor and Other Female Victims of Police Brutality
Nearly three months after 26-year-old EMT Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by the Louisville Metro Police Department in a botched drug raid, no officers have been charged in her killing. In fact, since her death, another black person, West Louisville barbecue caterer David McAtee, was shot and killed by law enforcement. June 5 would…
-
What You Need to Know About David McAtee, the Louisville Restaurant Owner Killed After Sunday's Protests
There are a lot of stories circulating about David McAtee, the 53-year-old black man shot and killed while Louisville Metro Police and the National Guard attempted to “disperse” a crowd who had gathered outside a Dino’s Food Mart in the early hours of Monday morning. The details are hazy by circumstance (information coming out in…