By Shayla Parker & Meriam Shanti, Arts/Digital Editor & Opinions Editor
THE MURDERING OF AN UNARMED BLACK MAN.
His name? George Floyd.
His crime? Allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill.
His cause of death? An all too common encounter with the police for black people in America.
“I didn’t do nothing serious, man…. Please, I can’t breathe…. Somebody, please…. My face, just get up…. A knee on my neck…. Mamma, mamma…. Everything hurts…. Don’t kill me…. Please, sir, please…. I can’t breathe,” Floyd said as Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled into his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds: the weight of Chauvin’s body cutting off the flow of oxygen to Floyd’s lungs.
Although Chauvin held his stance until Floyd eventually could no longer plead or breathe, he did not act alone in causing the unarmed man’s death. Officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng aided in restraining Floyd by pushing down his back, and Officer Tou Thao failed to combat his colleagues as he just stood by watching the murder take place.
Floyd died May 25. The offficers involved were charged with second-degree murder as of June 4.
A HISTORY OF SYSTEMIC RACISM SHOWN IN THIS CASE.
What happened to Floyd isn’t as uncommon as people were led to believe. The race issue in America goes a lot further than the most recent police killings.
The issue lies within our own system.
The larger problem at hand is that we are a nation built on black slavery. There has not been enough done to correct the mistakes of our past or to counter the widespread prejudice against black people that unfortunately continued after they were emancipated and still exists to this day.
American police were originally created to protect white people from people of color: during times of slavery, there was the slave patrol; after emancipation, there was the Jim Crow era in which police took to violence in order to uphold their racist standards with “Black Codes”; as the Civil War came, police turned into sheriffs enforcing segregation or relied on so-called “vigilante” groups such as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK); in modern times, laws such as “Stop-and-Frisk” still allow for irrational racial profiling.
Police were never intended to protect all, but rather were put in place to ensure the safety of white citizens and the suppression of colored people. It's 2020 and while there has been some progress, what’s been embedded in our system has not been undone.
BLACK LIVES MATTER (BLM).
Trending now is the very simple yet powerful quote: “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
Democrats, Republicans, and every political party in between seem to be upset with our current state of affairs, but their anger is in regards to different issues. Most commonly, we see that there are two sides to what people believe should “matter”: black lives or all lives.
However, BLM does not stand to say that only black lives matter. That’s what the All Lives Matter (ALM) movement is failing to understand.
According to the official BlackLivesMatter website, founded in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer in 2013, “The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for ALL Black lives striving for liberation.”
Advocates for BLM understand that all lives should matter, but they are also aware that this cannot become a reality until black lives are actually treated like they matter.
With that said, the basis of the ALM is anti-black. The fact that these advocates continue to stand behind “all lives” while simultaneously ignoring that black lives need support first is harmful.
The current issue at hand must be dealt with before being able to celebrate all.
ALL COPS ARE BASTARDS (ACAB).
Slightly more controversial than the BLM movement is ACAB, or All Cops are Bastards.
Although this acronym has been adopted by the United States to further the anti-cop sentiment, ACAB’s roots lie much further east in the world. The exact origin is unknown, but ACAB and variations of the term were popularized in the 1970’s U.K. punk scene. It wasn’t until the 1980’s when German and British punk bands began using the term in their music that ACAB truly began to surge in popularity and usage.
“ACAB in Australia has a lot of differences and similarities with the USA,” Art student A. Clayton said. “The sudden respark of the BLM movement in the USA and its resurgence has definitely impacted here in Australia— there have been protests across the nation despite health warnings due to the COVID climate…. ACAB has been particularly more relevant, the police force in Australia is known to not act on many issues unless it involves money, and indigenous or people of colour are rarely given the benefit of the doubt.”
Although there tends to be a distinction between “good” and “bad” cops, ACAB attempts to address the flaw in using “good” cops to justify the existence of “bad” cops. Even though good people who become cops undoubtedly exist, these people earn their living by upholding a corrupt system: a system where an estimated 40% of police officers have a record of domestic abuse. A system where black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people. One where, in 35 states, it is legal for a police officer to have sex with someone in custody.
If a “good” cop witnesses a “bad” cop’s misconduct and fails to report it, they are complacent and just as corrupt. And even if they were to report a bad officer’s behavior, in most cases it will virtually never go beyond that. According to Mapping Police Violence, “99% of killings by police from 2013-2019 have not resulted in officers being charged with a crime.”
The source of the controversy surrounding ACAB is largely due to ignorance on the true meaning of the acronym. ACAB is less about the individual officer and more about the police system as a whole.
As a condition of employment, police officers are sworn in by vowing to uphold the laws of the country- all laws. In an ideal world this would be fine, as all laws would be just and equal. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
America has a history of racist, sexist, and homophobic laws. From Jim Crow to anti-Japanese legislation to the War on Drugs, racist laws have always been prevalent in this country. Becoming a police officer means suspending all personal convictions and morality in order to uphold any and all laws regardless of their virtue. This effectively erases “good” and “bad” cops: the system exists to render their individual character irrelevant and prevent free thinking.
There are so many people against ACAB that there is even a movement in opposition: Blue Lives Matter. This movement stands to say that it is possible for cops to experience hate crimes.
Occupation is a choice. At the end of the day a cop can take off their uniform and they are no longer a blue life. However, it is not possible to strip oneself of their skin and no longer be a black life. Being murdered due to racial prejudice is a hate crime; getting your cop car tagged in response is not.
Going into law enforcement, whether you claim to be a “good” or “bad” person, makes you a member of the system. In doing so, you become employed by a system that is notorious for mistreatment of people of color and maintaining privilege for white people.
Our community is witnessing this mistreatment first hand at alarming rates.
The Anaheim Police Department, for example, has killed black people 11.3 times more than white people. Bear in mind, the national average is three times.
Los Angeles has one of the most notoriously corrupt police departments, with 124 police killings from 2013 to 2018. Santa Ana, Long Beach, and countless other neighboring cities are constantly featured on lists detailing police violence and corruption.
People are especially angry in Southern California, and rightfully so. These are our cousins, uncles, friends, and family being targeted. For the Golden State, we must do better.
PROTESTING FOR CHANGE.
Many minority groups have been known to take to protesting to gain the same rights that others are so privileged to humanely be born with. Such protests occurred during the Civil Rights Movement, Women's Rights Movement, Pride marches, etc.
America was founded through rioting. The Boston Tea Party is but one example of a time when protesters used destruction as a way to impact change. However, this is taught in schools as a pivotal moment in aiding this “great nation” to be free of British oppression. Not an unnecessary act of rebellion.
Riot or protest, the methods used by early Americans are now praised in books for the change that they created. The main difference is that one is peaceful while the other is violent.
The protests taking place now, triggered by the wrongful death of Floyd, are in support of both BLM and ACAB. Given the nature of what happened, the two movements go hand in hand and support receiving justice that had been previously denied as well as putting an end to police brutality.
The majority of the demonstrations in response to Floyd’s murder have been peaceful. To briefly explain how rallies and protests become riots, things turn violent when provoked.
There have been numerous accounts of police force being unreasonably used during these gatherings. Naturally people act in self defense, then things escalate— to account for the looting that has taken place, most individuals have been cited as outside forces taking advantage of the movement to benefit themselves.
Protests are meant to incite change and will do so peacefully as long as they are able to.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
As far as protesting in regards to civil rights goes we are currently seeing a full circle moment in American history. The first amendment was the most important and relevant amendment concerning the founders of this country.
The first amendment guarantees free speech. For that reason alone, it has constantly been cited throughout our history as a powermove in the fight against oppression.
This amendment also grants the very ability to protest legally, granting it as a right of the people to peacefully assemble. Not only is that right ensured, but it cannot be taken away as the first amendment also states that no law can be implemented to prohibit this exercise.
In addition to that, the first amendment provides the opportunity to petition the government to redress any grievances that should arise.
With that said, it’s important to keep your rights in mind and to not let them be threatened. The first amendment is just one example of using the system to correct the system.
ISSUE WITH THE MEDIA.
Public perception is almost entirely shaped by the media people consume and the way ideas are presented to them. This movement is no exception- quite the opposite, in fact.
The media narrative paints a grim picture: “George Floyd unrest: Portland police share photos of items protesters have thrown at them,” “NYPD releases knife-attack video on officer: 'It was a planned assassination attempt,'” and “Minneapolis restaurant owner who watched dream go up in smoke: 'One night it's over'” are just a few of the titles ripped from the headlines of articles surrounding the protests.
This, of course, is nothing compared to what newscasters say on television, but in general the protests are depicted as violent rebellion. This narrative could not be further from the truth.
The first article mentioned details the items protesters have thrown at police officers. The items? An empty can, half an apple, another empty can of beans, and a small rock. What the article fails to mention is what the police have been doing to protestors. They shoot rubber bullets, which are made to sound like Nerf gun ammo but in reality can and have hospitalized and blinded people. Tear gas has also been popular with the police recently, which is illegal to use in war zones but has somehow been deemed legal to use on protestors. This is just one example of the many ways the media warps reality.
“Before the movement really became popularized on social media, the only news about BLM was through traditional media, where the report is edited to fit their opinion,” Kennedy alumni Soleil Santa Ana said. “Now with more and more videos coming out on social media, it’s becoming clear that the media wants to make the protests seem a lot more violent than they really are.”
PERSONAL PROTEST EXPERIENCE.
IRVINE, May 31—The demonstration in Irvine was a beautiful example of solidarity through suffering. The protest came only a few days after George Floyd’s murder, so the wound was still fresh and the community was still grieving. Emotions were running high; spectators lined up streets away could feel the collective anger. Despite the rage, the protest never deviated from the ultimate goal of remaining nonviolent. A group of around 300 demonstrators stood on the edge of the sidewalk for the people passing by, with cars blasting music, honking their horns, and chanting along. It was nothing short of peaceful, and nothing short of powerful.
ANAHEIM, June 1— To be entirely transparent, many of us were apprehensive to join the Anaheim protest. There were two main demonstrations set to take over Anaheim that day: the larger of the two was advertised as peaceful, while the other seemed to be organized by groups actively looking to incite violence. My worries were immediately curbed; the crowd of around 700 people were almost all gathered to peacefully assemble, listen to the guest speakers, and exercise their first amendment rights. Even as the marching started and a demonstrator next to me began tagging buildings, the crowd was quick to condemn his actions and forced him to stop. There was a large police and military presence, even tanks, but it didn’t deter the protestors. The demonstration almost became violent once when the peaceful and non-peaceful crowds merged, but even then any violence was suppressed faster than it could form. The peaceful protest lasted through to the night: a true testament of Anaheim’s strength and integrity.
CYPRESS, June 5— Organized as a peaceful protest; carried out as a peaceful protest. Despite individuals against the movement expressing their need to maintain white supremacy stating “It’s hunting season” on Twitter, at least 300 BLM supporters still attended. Excessive cop violence and pandemic aside, this is the kind of risk that is unfortunately added to the fight for equal justice. Thankfully the threats stayed home and the protest was able to stay safe. What took place instead was rather empowering. Seeing your city band together and transform your own streets to rally for something so important is absolutely beautiful. As a member of the black community myself, being mixed black and white, I have always longed to participate in such a march to push for the change we so desperately need. This was the first time I was able to actually get out there. I took the risk of getting on the line because I know this fight is so much bigger than just me, my family, and my ancestors. The experience was everything I had expected from a peaceful protest: I screamed, I cried, I marched, I led. Together, we fought for change.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE.
While protests tend to receive the most attention in this fight for full racial equality, it’s not exactly practical for everyone to join in on the front line. Thankfully, there are other ways to make an impact virtually anywhere.
“I started off just signing petitions and educating myself, but I wanted to push my efforts further and get more involved since I leave my house to participate in any of the protests,” Kennedy alumni Asia Ann Austria-Rey said. “So I figured that doing art commissions to raise money would be a safe way for me to contribute…. I do really simple portraits and outlines of people.”
Information on what petitions to sign, where to donate, and which businesses should be supported or boycotted is more easily accessible now than ever. For more information on how to make a difference at home, see https://www.thejfkshamrock.com/post/blm-ways-to-help-besides-protesting.
The impact ultimately starts at home. Take an anti-racist approach to addressing the comments friends and family make. Instead of passively allowing them to make racist and problematic comments, no matter how abhorrent they may be to you, take the time to address their remarks and how harmful they may be.
There is a fine, yet clear line between being non-racist and anti-racist. Now more than ever, we cannot afford to simply be non-racist; we must actively oppose any of all racism, some of which will unfortunately exist in our day to day lives.
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