Summary

The website content discusses the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks, emphasizing the need for societal change and questioning the use of lethal force by police, especially in light of systemic racial biases and gun culture in America.

Abstract

The article addresses the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks by police officers, arguing that his actions during the encounter should not be seen as deserving of death. It highlights the fear and instinctual self-preservation that can drive a person's behavior when their life is perceived to be in danger. The piece also calls attention to the different perceptions of police among Black communities due to historical and ongoing incidents of police brutality and racial profiling. The author questions the necessity of using lethal force by the police and contrasts the situation in the United States with countries like Israel, where gun ownership is less prevalent and police training may differ. The article concludes by reflecting on the impact of Brooks' death on his daughter and the broader implications for societal attitudes towards race, policing, and gun laws.

Opinions

The author is disgusted by online comments justifying Rayshard Brooks' shooting based on his attempt to take a taser from an officer.
The author believes that it's impossible to logically assess the actions of

This is For Those Who Believe Rayshard Brooks Deserved It

It’s time for a wake-up call, it seems.

By now, you probably all heard that Rayshard Brooks was shot outside a Wendy’s on Friday.

It was his little girl’s birthday.

I’ve seen the comments online, and I have to share with you that I’m genuinely disgusted.

Some people assume that because Rayshard grabbed a taser from one of the officers, that meant he deserved to die.

Let me share with you what I think about it.

People Act Differently When Their Life is in Danger

Have you ever had a gun pointed at you? Do you know what it means to stand face to face with a person who has the power to end your life?

I’m going to assume you don’t because a lot of people do not get to those extremes.

How do you even logically measure what went on in Rayshard’s mind?

You can’t even compare your logic to the logic of a man trying to survive.

It’s a bit like trying to help a drowning person, and once you’re close enough they push you down to raise themselves. They do it unconsciously.

So, don’t logically examine the actions of a man trying to survive. Your assessments will never capture what went on in his mind.

Black People Perceive The Police Differently Now

For most white people, the police are the protective force that you need to call when something bad happens.

You are projecting that privilege on black people. Let me remind you:

Police officers killed George Floyd and Breonna Taylor among others.

Now, imagine yourself in the shoes of a black person, no, you know what? Imagine yourself in the skin of a black person — Doesn’t your perception of the Police change? The police killed people like you because of your skin color. Doesn’t that make you fear and avoid them at all costs? It could also make you freeze or challenge them. They are considered the enemy for people like you, and that makes you activate the fight or flight mechanism in your mind.

Now imagine waking up in your car with two of them, armed, staring you down in your vehicle.

How does that make you feel? How will you react — as a black person — in Rayshard’s place?

Why Did The Police Officer Shoot To Kill?

Let’s say I agree with you. Let’s say that Rayshard was wrong, and he didn’t need to do what he did.

Why did the police officer shoot to kill? Why didn’t he shoot his legs?

That’s precisely what needs to change. Why did Breonna Taylor was killed while asleep? Why did George Floyd was murdered even after begging that he couldn’t breathe?

Power corrupts. And the Police force seems to have lots of it.

But I can’t condemn the police without also criticizing another element of your society, America: Why acquiring a gun is so easy in your country?

Police forces are trained for high-risk situations. Because anybody could literally have a gun, they are trained to deal with those situations with lethal force.

But why? Why even bring yourselves to this situation?

I’ve lived in Israel all my life — a country where less than thirty years ago, terrorists blew themselves up in buses in my city — Tel Aviv.

I’ve never in my life had to acquire a private gun even when things got dire. None of my neighbors have a gun either. School shootings don’t happen here, thank god.

My dad had one, and he returned it to the police because it was a fucking weapon sitting in a drawer in our house. It’s weird to own a gun here.

But I digress. Police forces in America are trained for lethal situations, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t differentiate between an armed person and an unarmed one.

When Rayshard grabbed a taser, he was armed with a non-lethal force. And yet they still shot to kill.

Rayshard Should Have Celebrated With His Daughter

Rayshard will never see his baby girl again. And she will grow up in a world where her birthday — a happy day — is accompanied by the saddest day of all — losing a parent.

How do you think she and her siblings view the police now?

Some food for thought, perhaps.

Do the work and understand that their lives are not treated equally like yours. If you do, you’re not aware of your privilege. Educate yourself about past injustices against black people.

And then, draw your conclusions about how to change the world for the better.

We all need it.