TIME MAGAZINE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The Police Aren’t Under Attack. Institutionalized Racism Is.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The Police Aren’t Under Attack. Institutionalized Racism Is.
According to Ecclesiastes, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose.” For me, today, that means a time to seek justice and a time to mourn the dead.
The recent brutal murder of two Brooklyn police officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, is a national tragedy that should inspire nationwide mourning. Both my grandfather and father were police officers, so I appreciate what a difficult and dangerous profession law enforcement is. We need to value and celebrate the many officers dedicated to protecting the public and nourishing our justice system. It’s a job most of us don’t have the courage to do.
At the same time, however, we need to understand that their deaths are in no way related to the massive protests against systemic abuses of the justice system as symbolized by the recent deaths—also national tragedies—of Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, and Michael Brown. Ismaaiyl Brinsley, the suicidal killer, wasn’t an impassioned activist expressing political frustration, he was a troubled man who had shot his girlfriend earlier that same day. He even Instagrammed warnings of his violent intentions. None of this is the behavior of a sane man or rational activist. The protests are no more to blame for his actions than The Catcher in the Rye was for the murder of John Lennon or the movie Taxi Driver for the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. Crazy has its own twisted logic and it is in no way related to the rational cause-and-effect world the rest of us attempt to create.
Those who are trying to connect the murders of the officers with the thousands of articulate and peaceful protestors across America are being deliberately misleading in a cynical and selfish effort to turn public sentiment against the protestors. This is the same strategy used when trying to lump in the violence and looting with the legitimate protestors, who have disavowed that behavior. They hope to misdirect public attention and emotion in order to stop the protests and the progressive changes that have already resulted. Shaming and blaming is a lot easier than addressing legitimate claims.
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http://time.com/3643462/kareem-abdul-jabbar-nypd-shootings-police/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Nailed it!
way to go Jabbar!!!
Let me be clear, I don't agree with it, but I do understand. The cop that turns in a fellow officer kisses his career goodbye. His life, and that of his family are put in jeopardy, just ask Serpico. He has been scorned, shot, and became unemployable in law enforcement. It is certainly not a decision to take lightly.
The question then becomes, how do we change this? As an institution, law enforcement does not wish to change. Like soldiers, which many cops used to be, they look out for each other and must have confidence that their fellow officers have their back. If anyone has an idea I would love to hear it.
I must say tha Kareem is an Allstar on and off of the court. He is a genius who is an honorable, principled, kind and caring man! If you believe in athletes as role models Kareem is the bar to set because he is much more than an athlete. As great as his on court accomplishments are, who he is off the court is still much, much better. Thanks Kareem for saying exactly what needs to be said, exactly how it needs to be said!
Bravo!
