Illustration of George Floyd by: Shirien Damra
A badge and a shield should not be a license for murder. The torture and death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN presents the world with indisputable images of police brutality. Racialized minorities deserve justice. Mr. Floyd’s death at the hands of four police officers who engaged the lowest dimension of evil exposed an abuse of their authority. And because of it, George Floyd is dead for no good reason. The same can be said of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Natasha McKenna, Tara Reade, Jocques Clemmons, and Daniel Hambrick—this sad and mournful list goes on and on.
Being black and a target for militaristic violence instead of community policing is not a good reason for why Black folk are dying at the hands of the police. In fact, there is no good reason for black folk or any folk to die in police custody when alternative means of apprehension are not only available; but, mandated by policy. It is wrong and shameful that we continue to tolerate such wanton disregard for life and continue to craft laws that make it legal. There is something wrong in our republic that we allow laws to enable us to take lives without justice.
The seminaries must speak out and continue, even in the midst of a pandemic, to remind ourselves as teachers and staff and to urge the folks who come to us for learning how to be religious leaders to stand with those in their communities and demand justice and accountability. We must hold police to the same standards of review as any other person. When police officers murder, they should face the charge, stand before a jury of their peers, and let justice prevail.