By Ayesha Begum, Senior Editor
Numbers of police brutality towards black people keep on rising and rising and now our timelines are filled with despair. We strive to end it, but it keeps on going. The justice system keeps on allowing cops who perform such behaviour to continue to do it again and again, yet they are let off with a light slap on the wrist. Are our fellow humans really that insignificant?
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Police brutality in the United States of America and their most recurring victims have recently played a large role in the videos we share, the news we read, and the views we hold, for better or for worse. Being the minority in a country where their ancestors were previously owned as slaves, black people have suffered extreme cases of racial profiling and prejudice. Of course with a significant advancement of societal acceptance, this minority currently experience a better quality of living than prior generations, but who is to say that everything is fine? Who is to say that everything is a fraud?
The ‘official’ movement of Black Lives Matter began in 2012 when black man, Trayvon Martin, was gunned down by neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Living a mere 17 years, on February 26, Martin died of gunshot wounds because he was a “suspicious person”; Zimmerman claimed his actions to be an act of self-defence. No immediate action was taken as no arrests were made and no licenses (for guns) confiscated. An online petition was created to bring justice to Martin’s murderer which was set up by his parents and surpassed 1.3 million signatures. On March 26, exactly a month after Martin’s death, rallies and protests were held in his honour all over the country. Yet, almost as an act of fear, 2 days later, Zimmerman’s father presents himself on television claiming that Zimmerman was threatened by Martin and therefore, was inclined to take further action and shoot. After a lengthy, repetitive cycle of court dates, television appearances and such, on July 13, 2013, the jury found him not guilty and allowed him to walk.
Considering Zimmerman’s violent past it may be understandable as to why he acted in such a way; when Zimmerman had first noticed Martin, he alerted call operators using racial slurs against Martin, in 2005, his ex-fiance filed a restraining order against him as he was being accused of domestic violence and he shoved an undercover police officer while his friend was arrested for underage drinking. Perhaps this sprouted his intentions that occured later in life and he found relief in inflicting unnecessary pain upon others- some may argue that justice was not served as the murderer was able to be alleviated of charges, however, some may argue that justice was served when Martin was killed.
Despite what may have been said in favour of Martin, it can easily be deducted as the only reason Martin was placed in such a situation is due to his ten day suspension from school after residues of narcotics were found in his bag. Merchandising such substances to young children may have spawned a negative image for Martin. Evidence from medical surveillance also suggested that Martin had physically harmed Zimmerman prior to Martin’s death, which may also be an indicator as to why this incident could be justified to an extent.
This debate of who is in the wrong and who is serving justice is somewhat controversial to say the least; the majority of the time, people can only study the information that has been given to them without considering other factors that were not evidently noted. This leads in nicely to a recent news story that some may have heard, although there seems to be scarcely any response to it. On July 5, 2016, Alton Sterling, a 37 year old black man, was shot and killed for what is being portrayed by bystanders on phones as just selling CDs outside a shop. This reasoning in itself is enough to make anyone furrow their eyebrows and start ranting on Twitter about #BLM. On March 27, 2018, the two cops responsible for this murder were also released without charge and were freed without any reprimanding. Again, this may induce fury in many, but what about Sterling’s criminal record? Sterling appears to be a registered sex offender with a long list of felonies ranging from failing to fasten his seatbelt (February 4, 2015) to trespassing (August 25, 1996) and resisting an officer by force (May 29, 2009)- something that seems familiar upon reflecting on various videos uploaded by bystanders. Some may argue that justice was brought by the cops who shot and killed him, whereas, many others may suggest that justice has not been brought as the cops received no charges. The police force, as incompetent and as ill-advised as they may be rendered as, are there to protect, surely the justice system did the right thing by ruling over any other opposing views. Yet, despite the assumed informed position that the system has played, why are people still exasperated? Is the justice system failing its job or are they performing it as accurately as they can?
A verdict that has once again shaken those who already fear driving cars without being pulled over and shot while reaching out for a driver’s license, has had many distraught responses from the movement themselves with ‘Black Lives Matter’ co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors saying - “We continue to mourn the brutal murder of Alton Sterling. Black people continue to be betrayed...A country that claims liberty and freedom for all...I am disgusted and saddened...The Black Lives Matter global network will continue to...fight to change the laws and policies that allow for black death”. Celebrities who utilise their influence for the better - “We need equity...our criminal justice system hasn’t prosecuted the officers responsible for Alton Sterling...isn’t worthy of justice”, Yara Shahidi, black Iranian-American actress - express their sorrow in such a style that many will be able to comprehend and empathise with.
The legality of this debate remains heavy; previously, it was not illegal for a white person to kill a black person. Now, fortunately, it is illegal to kill anyone without a valid reason, yet, why are these murderers being dismissed so easily? Will we choose our own justice or will it be decided for us?
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