he reaction towards police killings of unarmed black men is one of outrage, outcry, and uproar amongst communities. These same communities have begun question the policing within America, who they protect and serve as well as the injustice within the process of prosecution.
We live in a society that has become exposed to the cyber world. Presently mankind is now connected to an online library, which is a dominant source of dynamic information. Consequently , the dynamic nature allows it to become a platform for voicing and capturing police brutality and mistreatment of blacks in America today.
Viewers have personally watched men and women of African American descent, get shot at no fault of their own. The footage that is often captured has been filmed across several platforms, mobile phone, police dashboard cameras, as well as cameras on the bodies of the police. Giving individuals access to such information on the web has led to a higher rate of public awareness surrounding particular issues. As a consequence people across the world are gaining more knowledge surrounding the police brutality, racial profiling, and discrimination.
Before I began writing this post I wanted to provide as much information about police brutality and discrimination against blacks. As I was doing said research I contiuosly came across video footage that shows the police killing unarmed black men. The footage that I have chosen to look at shows the death of several African Americans, at the hands of the police. As a result, I found nine videos that portray the matter at hand. Each video I selected shows the suspects that were killed as black. In addition, it shows clear evidence that each male was unarmed. I put together some information detailing why each suspect was approached by the police.
Jason Harrison
Jason Harrison was killed on the 14th of June 2014. His death was caught on the camera that the police officers wore on their body. In the events leading up to his death, Jason’s mother called the police for help in assisting him to the hospital as he had stopped taking his medication and was acting out. Harrison’s mother, on the police’s arrival, informed them that her son suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. As Harrison approached the door, he was carrying a screwdriver, the officers asked him to drop the screwdriver. As a result of failing to drop the screwdriver the officers shot Harrison.
Eric Garner
The shooting of Eric Garner took place on the 17th July 2014 and was captured by a bystander on their cell phone. Garner had just finished helping to split up a fight. Afterwards, the police approached him and begun questioning him about selling loose cigarettes. One of the officers, appearing to be NYPD, officer Daniel Pantaleo, wrapped his arm around the neck of Garner. The officer attempted to take down Garner and successfully held him on the ground. Meanwhile Garner is heard saying ‘I can’t breathe’.
John Crawford III
On August 5th, 2014, John Crawford III was seen on the Walmart surveillance camera walking around with a BB gun that was on sale at the store. Two officers, David Darkow and Sean Williams, arrived at Walmart after a 911 call about a man waving a gun. Afterward, the officers claimed that they fired at Crawford after the man failed to comply with their orders to drop the gun.
Kajieme Powell
In August 2014 Kajieme Powell was shot and killed by police as shown by a recording on a bystander’s phone. The man, 25, was walking around outside a grocery store after he had allegedly stole energy drinks and pastries. Two officers arrived at the scene, the man who was brandishing a knife, began to approach the police, he asked for them to shoot him. He continued to step closer to the police and they opened fire at the man.
Tamir Rice
In November 2014, the death of Tamir Rice was caught on surveillance camera. The footage shows Rice, 12, playing in a local park. Someone called 911 reporting that a person was waving a gun around. Two officers arrived at the scene, although being told on the 911 call that the gun was ‘probably fake ‘, Officer Timothy Loehmann shot Rice almost instantly.
Jerame Reid
On the 10th February 2015, officers responding to a call regarding a man throwing stones at a grocery parking lot. The officers made attempts to arrest Zambrano, they continued to pursue him on foot, shooting at him as he ran. The officers then shot at a close range as the man who turned to face them.
Charly Keunang
A bystander captured the shooting of Charly Keunang on 1st March 2015. Keunang was reportedly a suspect in an alleged robbery and assault that the police were responding to. It is alleged that Keunang, who reportedly suffered mental health problems, reached for an officer’s gun, to which all other officers opened fire.
Phillip White
White’s death which was again filmed on a bystander’s cell phone was classed as an “in-custody non-shooting death.” Officers were responding to a 911 call of a man behaving erratically. In response, they handcuffed and restrained White, 32. White became unresponsive and was given CPR in the ambulance, he eventually died in the hospital. Although it is classed as “in-custody non-shooting death.” Witnesses on the scene said officers beat the man and the police dog was allowed to bite him in the face.
Walter Scott
The dashboard camera, as well as a bystander, managed to capture the events on April 4th, 2015, which lead to the death of Walter Scott. Scott is seen running away from his vehicle after officer Michael Slager pulled him over for a broken tail light. From the bystander’s cell phone, you can see Slager catching up with Scott in an open field. Following a short struggle, Scott managed to break free and continued to run away. At this point, Slager shot Scott numerous times from behind.
What Happens Now?
Are we so oblivious a to the ill-treatment of particular races? As a consequence, we must post it onto the web in order to get a reaction? Or is that the only way to create awareness or to spark interest. It is astonishing to me, that a group of people are crying out for help. However, no one can hear them. As a result, they have resorted to posting on the internet.
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