Memphis, White Supremacy, and Madness
“The slave went free; stood a brief moment in the sun; then moved back again toward slavery.” W.E B. Du Bois in Black Reconstruction in America (1935)
Preparation. We were warned.
Pause. Should I watch? How bad could it really be?
Pain. A violent assault on a human being.
I understand why many Americans are now numb to the seemingly limitless reports of bad police behavior. So, the recent release of the horrific video of five Black law enforcement officers pummeling 29-year-old Tyre Nichols to death was certainly national news but our populace held its collective breath, exhaled, and sadly stated, “what’s new?”
Nichols, a gentle man with a love of photography, lost his life due to the reckless actions of monsters. The way in which these officers beat him was appalling to anyone who bravely observed the various camera angles and media play-by-play commentary of the execution. A so-called traffic stop turned into a nightmare for another Black man. Although the perpetrators and the victim were both African-American, this tragedy is an example of the poison of white supremacy in the USA.
It is important to understand the language of racial equity. Having a clear definition of words and terms that describe realities makes all the difference in conversations of truth and justice. A lack of clarity of meaning can often be the trigger for quarrels and conflict such that discussions shut down. My definition for white supremacy is that it is a system of advantage which defines, influences, and maintains power through culture, policy, and practice control. White, Brown, and Black people can and do subscribe to this viewpoint that is upheld by a false narrative. As the brilliant and courageous Bryan Stevenson reminds us, a fabricated lie – that Blacks were inferior, less evolved, and unworthy of a pursuit of happiness – was created to justify the inhumanity of enslavement. We were able to abolish enslavement but not the narrative of hate.
Here are my ruminations on these troubling times:
1.
The Blue Line is real. Cops sign up for a very dangerous profession. They have to look out for one another to be effective at the job of “protect and serve.” However, this “all for one and one for all” attitude lends itself to gang-like behavior and criminal activities if there is limited or zero accountability. Just like white supremacists, some law enforcement officers regardless of their own race, can’t see or feel Black humanity. This toxic culture of anti-Blackness can seep into the minds of the Black officers like a virus in a container. This mindset is similar to the Black enslaved Overseer on a plantation. We are seen as animals like the slave who was worth no more than a pig, horse, or cow. Atatiana, Botham, Tamir, Walter, and Tyre didn’t have a chance. Not one.
2.
Why didn’t anyone help Tyre? White supremacy breeds a culture of comfort for those who benefit from its structure of power. “As long as I am not directly involved, I’m keeping my mouth shut.” Or “I am not going to confront or challenge evil and ugliness.” Who wants to be shunned and ostracized by their community of comfort? It reminds me of the recent attempt to create a false narrative of our Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System superintendent, Dr. Nyah Hamlett. There are lots of comfortable local and informed residents who stood idly by while an unnamed source used the media to try to taint her credentials in an attempt to thwart her equity agenda and care for all students. Black leadership and just being Black often gets challenged. Thank heavens, a multiracial group of concerned citizens mobilized and organized to present the truth and ask for transparency. Peace requires courage.
While watching the assault video, I saw many other Memphis police and licensed professionals not rendering assistance to Tyre. This same cowardice allowed for thousands of Americans to stand by and watch as Blacks were raped, tortured, beaten, or lynched in our nation’s history. Let’s pay attention to watch if the Memphis Gang of Five turns into a higher number of those found guilty of apathy and indecisiveness while on the job.
3.
Where is the police union? Your silence is deafening. Although a statement was released by the Memphis Police Association after the video aired, where was the usual union press conference filled with emotional pleas and declarations to defend their officers? White supremacy shows up in many different forms. When Blacks turn their back on our heritage and adopt a white supremacist ideology to further their careers, enjoy a bit of privilege, interact more with Whites, and exercise control over others, they very often run the risk of being dumped and disregarded when Whites make the decision that we are no longer needed to advance the cause. Memphis is certainly not the first location that police have been found to have no sense of morality or compassion; and yet, these Black officers appear to have little, if any, support besides an attorney.
4.
Policing is a difficult job that most people just aren’t interested in for various reasons. This Memphis madness made the recruitment effort for candidates a whole lot worse. How do racist gangs enlist new members? They often seek out those who would find meaning of a sense of family and belonging to a band of brothers. People who find value in a culture of “us vs. them” are good recruits. There are numerous reports on the growing number of extremists in the military. We can’t assume that they haven’t also infiltrated law enforcement. The culture of policing is ripe for bias, groupthink, and noxious allegiance. Many racial justice-minded people sacrificed and died over many years for Blacks to serve as police officers…and then this heartbreak happens. Some would say it is an example of Black-on-Black crime. Yes, it is such but one should not use that as an excuse to label all Blacks as animalistic and incontrollable. People commit illegal and violent acts in and near their own communities. It’s called proximity crime. This nation was built on violence, and we’ve done very little to move away from this almost default response to people and things that cause us fear. What about American exceptionalism? Violence is probably the only thing that we are exceptional at in this country.
5.
White supremacy exists in all of our systems and institutions. With such a prevalent disease it is both surprising and not surprising that our country has not been able to eliminate or even minimize its damage on all Americans. White supremacy beliefs keep us from lifting up all of humanity. In order to see someone, you must know someone. And to know someone, you must learn about someone. You must be with them.
Many people are afraid of Black men because they don’t know them. Sports and entertainment are not the best way to see their brilliance, dreams, and nurturing spirit. Research informs us that Black boys aged 9 years old and older are often viewed as older and less innocent than their White same-age peers. Shoot a child? No. Shoot an adult? Shoot a Black man? The odds of violence increase because you know how we view Black men in this society – dangerous!
In addition, the attack on any type of ethnic studies, in particular, Black history or culture, is not only frightening but foolish, irrational, and reckless. There must be a troubling value system in play that directs politicians and education leaders to ban books and limit instruction on African American history. Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, will be aggressively challenged since he has become the poster child of ignorance for his opposition to the proposed AP course. Learning about the history and achievements of those of the African diaspora prior to the institution of enslavement is a threat to white supremacy.
There is no one blueprint for moving forward. As much as we may expect and hope that our elected officials will act in the best interest of the poor, historically marginalized, and oppressed, we have evidence that far too often the attractiveness of comfort and status quo overrides decisions that can create improved outcomes. Interestingly, the sickening media reports of brutal acts by police officers has quite possibly made us so traumatized and now insensitive that we are even more unlikely to look critically at the inequities in the healthcare system. The deadliest year for police violence ever measured occurred last year, and yet, it pales in comparison to the racial disparities in clinics and hospitals. In 2022, the number of Black men killed by police officers was 220. The annual deaths due to unequal treatment in medical care specifically deaths for Blacks was more than 74,000 between 2016 and 2018!
Black people want and deserve safety too. And make note that we still have hope and have not sought revenge. Sorrowfully, in far too many communities the people who take an oath and wear badges cause harm and unnecessary death. The numbers that reflect this madness do not lie. The announcement of better training only falls on deaf ears. The system is broken and requires a major overhaul. The termination of officers and large payouts from civil lawsuits is a band-aid for a necessary open-heart surgery.
James Baldwin said it best, “I can’t hear what you say because I see what you do.”
(featured image via Associated Press)
“Never Too Far” contains perspectives and insights from an inquisitive and engaged Orange County transplant from Philly. Deborah Stroman is an entrepreneur and UNC leadership professor who has seen too much and not enough, and thus continues to question and explore the thoughts and actions of humankind.
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