It has recently been a year since the event that must have shown even those who claim that racism does not exist that it does. What happened on May 25, 2020, made the problem even more obvious than it was in the USA and the world. The death of George Floyd started the Black Lives Matter movement that involved thousands of people in America and other countries. While the movement has good intentions, there are people who find some of its claims too radical. Racism certainly needs to be combated, and some measures have already been taken, but this fight should not turn into something irrational: any great idea or concept, when taken to the extreme, can become absurd.
One of the protesters’ main claims has been for the government to change something in the structure of the police force. Their demands include reforms in the law-enforcement strategies, as well as defunding or completely abolishing police. While the latter has not been implemented, some reforms have been. Thus, new police laws limit its use of force and restrict no-knock warrants as well as neck restraints (The New York Times, 2021). According to these laws, officers are also required to intervene when they witness their colleagues using disproportionate force.
At the same time, the government is reconsidering the practice that equals “investing in public safety” to “funding armed law enforcement officers” (Vera Institute of Justice, 2021). In Minneapolis, for instance, $8 million has been shifted from the police department to violence prevention and reduction programs, as well as other public services. $12 million was shifted from the Boston police department to investing in “trauma counseling, housing services, and other public health and social service agencies” (Vera Institute of Justice, 2021, para. 4). Although these steps are positive, they are insufficient, and the government has to introduce much more changes to the way the public safety system works.
One of the main concerns is the fact that police officers are generally trained to “attack first” (Deutsche Welle, 2021, para. 10). There is more emphasis on officers’ firearm training and self-defense skills than on de-escalation training. It has been estimated that an average police officer in America receives about 60 hours of firearm training and not more than “10 hours of de-escalation training” (Deutsche Welle, 2021, para. 11). This is probably the main reason for police brutality; officers are taught to respond with force to any kind of calls: from criminal activities to calls of the mental health crisis. Therefore, one of the ways to improve this flawed system is through expanded and better de-escalation training programmes.
Another side of the racism issue has to do with education and upbringing. Most people become biased not even through personal experience but often because of individuals that surround them and impose their own stereotypes and irrational beliefs. That is why the topics of hostility and discrimination have to be discussed with children at the early stages of their lives. Educators should bring the concern to the classrooms and discuss it openly, engaging even younger students to express their opinions on the topic.
Teachers often see these controversial subjects as too complex for children aged 4 or 5 years. However, young children are able to speak about such complex issues more freely and openly than adults. They are curious and genuinely want to learn something about the world. At the same time, they are considerably less likely to have any strongly biased opinions due to their early age. That is unless they were subjected to the heavy influence of their parents’ opinions, who could have imposed their discriminatory attitudes and behaviors on children. Even in that case, it is essential for teachers to bring these issues up in the classroom, encouraging students to discuss why such views are wrong and completely without any basis.
The main principle to adhere to is remembering that violence is not an option. Continuing to uphold the non-violence principle, people have to find a way to put an end to racism in all its forms.
More reforms in the field of law enforcement have to be introduced concerning police brutality. While taking these measures, efforts also may be made to develop a new system of city agencies that would replace police departments, at least in several cities. Since it is not likely that police departments will be abolished in the nearest future, it is important to make changes in the present system.
All this allows the conclusion that there is still much to be done. Steps have been taken, such as introducing new police laws or implementing anti-racism curriculums at schools, but America is still far from completely eliminating this problem. It is important to continue current trends of change, such as shifting funds from police departments to programs and services that people need more. De-escalation training hours also have to be increased so that the focus of law-enforcement officers is on using nonviolent methods to resolve conflicts. Educators all across the country have to include anti-racism programs in study plans. Despite all the tragedies that happened because of racist bias, people still manage to believe in their ability to put an end to racism and create a better future. The Black Lives Matter movement has played a highly significant role in directing society’s activities to serve this goal.
References
Deutsche Welle. (2021). George Floyd murder: What has changed since his death a year ago? Web.
The New York Times. (2021). As new police reform laws sweep across the U.S., some ask: Are they enough? Web.
Vera Institute of Justice. (2021). What has changed since George Floyd’s death? Web.