I have been hesitant to post anything about policing in America, particularly after the latest horrific incident (which one; they all overlap and we never get a break to grieve the one before?). What can a cishet white man add?
Really nothing, so this is more a time for those with privilege to actively listen, provide support, and try to figure out how the hell we can stop this insanity. That said, I do think I can offer another data point that illustrates the problem with cops and white supremacy (yes, even when it's black officers, because it's about the system and not individuals). So at the risk of centering myself in the conversation...
From 2018 to 2020, my family in aggregate had literally dozens of interactions with sheriff's deputies in Clackamas (OR), King (WA), and Pierce (WA) counties (bulk of which occurring between our temporary and permanent DVPOs being granted). In none - ZERO (0) - of those encounters did I fear potentially lethal outcomes.
For our part, the official reports of these events helped us as much as sworn witness statements and various agency investigations. Sometimes I re-read them, as well as my secret journal from those times, just to assure myself that it all really happened (the internalized gaslighting continues even years later, but truly, it's all so fucking bonkers that it's hard to believe; I should probably stop, though).
Even when one of the involved parties was belligerent toward law enforcement, the responding officers always maintained their cool, professional demeanor. They didn't harm or kill anybody (not even our dogs).
Which is a long way for Captain Obvious to say that Tyre Nichols (and Elijah McClain and Breonna Taylor and...dear G-d, it is impossible to type all the names?) should be alive today. Gabby Petito should be alive, too (a different, particular category of systemic failure, but part and parcel).
They are not because policing is broken and cannot be reformed. Defund the Police is absolutely correct as policy and slogan.
Selah.
Comments