America’s #1 Target: The Black Man

Police brutality is a problem that has affected several generations of black people. One would think that over time things would change. However, change has not yet occurred. Black people pray that police will protect our cities without the threat of being their next victim, but unfortunately, it seems as if the problem is forever going to escalate.

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I’m at the point where I must question if I can count on the police in any situation. Most policemen take their authority and abuse it even though the only thing separating me from a policeman is his or her badge. It seems hard for the police to understand that having a badge does not mean having the right to question me or any other black person when we have not done anything wrong. It does not mean you can place me under arrest because I refuse to show you identification. It does not mean you have the right to throw me to the ground and continue to choke me after I’ve told you I can’t breathe. It does not mean you have the right to take my life.

It seems our black men are dying simply because of their race. Recently, unarmed Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by five black officers. Unfortunately, we are used to black-onblack crimes, but this is unacceptable. For the police to feel vindicated enough to beat Tyre due to a personal issue is horrific.

Sources state that Tyre was involved with one of the officer’s ex-girlfriends. The officer let his emotions lead him to beat a defenseless Tyre, who was screaming in fear and calling out for his mom, to death. Nichols was punched, pepper sprayed, tased, and beaten with a baton. Watching the bodycams of the officers pained me. It scares me to think these are the people who were selected to “protect and serve” our nation. The police officers are no different than criminals in the streets killing and robbing others for no reason. They robbed Tyre of his life, and he had to suffer until his death.

Why? Why are people treated like this? Why are things escalated to this level? When will things change? We are living in a never-ending cycle. We, black men, already have it hard as it is. We have to do better as a team. My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced or lost a loved one to police brutality.