Hands Up, Don't Shoot

There are so many things wrong with what is happening in Ferguson, Missouri; the killing of Michael Brown Jr., the lack of accountability of policing, the rioting, the Grand Jury decision, the conduct of the prosecutor. To name some. However, none is more wrong than the decision of Officer Wilson to repeatedly shoot and kill Michael Brown Jr. The key issue for me is the decision making that led to the officer shooting him. This was not a split second reaction in a sudden and unpredictable situation. This was a series of carefully considered actions by the officer; each action intended to bring matters to a fatal head.

There have been reports about Michael Brown's character and his actions on that day. These may indicate that he may have been a troubled youth. More importantly they show that he was a human being, a young Black man, and most importantly someone whose life mattered to many. His life should have meant more Officer Wilson. 

It is striking how we now live in times when the standard police response to dealing with young Black men is to shoot first, and then claim to be just doing their job. Where is it written that when confronting a young Black man you can't put your arm round his shoulders and offer him guidance? Isn't that the spirit of "Protect and Serve"? Rather than drawing a weapon and threatening, which has now become the customary response. I don't know how genuine the 'hug' picture from Ferguson is but the fact that it's striking says a lot about what the policing of Black neighbourhoods has become. 

There can be a lot said about what the basis of Officer Wilson's response that day was. Was it what he was taught in training? Was it what he had heard day in and day out from other officers? Or was it his own perception of young Black men. What we do know is that he acted without hesitation and with deadly determination. Somebody should have to answer for that.