"We only kill black people"- Lt. Greg Abbott
A video that was taken in July 2016, has just now been released of a cop telling a white woman, "Remember, we only shoot black people."According to the video, he said this because the woman was scared and told him that she had seen too many videos of cops to which his reply was," But remember, you're not black. Remember, we only kill black people. Yeah, we only kill black people, right?" After all the backlash he got from his racist comment, he has chosen to retire but his superiors at the Cobb County Police Department have already told him he was to be fired. We don't know whether or not his resignation will be accepted.
Now, there are 2 ways to take his statement, racist or facetious. After watching the video, he seems like he was trying to be sarcastic but because of all the racial conflicts happening, it was inappropriate and inconsiderate to say. Especially, with the new stereotype of white cops and being in the police force. It was also inappropriate considering the area he was in, Cobb County, Georgia. The South is known for having more racist than any other part in America because of the past.
Abbott's attorney, Lance LuRosso, has said that Abbott was attempting to de-escalate the situation but how do we know whether or not his facetiousness was just masking his own opinions on race. As an Afro- Columbian American, my views on racism are obvious but in this situation, you can't really tell what his intent was when making this statement because even though he was most likely joking, the fear among minorities when it comes to cops is real and isn't something to joke about. In my opinion, I think he was trying to be facetious but it was very inconsiderate and shouldn't have been said. What do you think? Tell me in the comments below!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/08/31/remember-we-only-shoot-black-people-georgia-police-officer-told-a-woman-on-camera/?utm_term=.557a35456088
It's difficult to say whether or not he was joking, but either way it's totally unacceptable. It seems like a joke, but I just think it's definitely not okay. Also the governor of Texas' name is also Greg Abbott and so when I just saw the quote at the top I was freaked
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what would compel him to say such again. Joking or not, he should know that he definitely should not say anything like that. In modern times, everything is taken seriously in police brutality (as it should be) He was basically asking to lose his job.
ReplyDeleteThe cop's statement is very similar to a joke someone would make in our school environment, with the context of making fun of people who practice and support racism, misogyny, or other bias. It's become a trend of Booker T culture to jokingly support conservative views. This statement almost serves as a warning for us to be careful when making jokes that could be misinterpreted. It was completely insensitive of this police officer to make such a comment. It is inappropriate in any situation, but especially on camera and for a cop, when police brutality is so prevalent. I strongly agree with him being fired.
ReplyDeleteRegardless if Greg Abbott was joking or not, it's unacceptable and unprofessional the remark he made. Police brutality is a serious matter and I feel many people don't view it that way. Some don't stop to think about how the innocent victims of police brutality, were living breathing people that had families, ambitions,desires and thoughts. Some people just see police brutality victims as another life lost to the police, and not as an individual human who's existence on this earth mattered.
ReplyDeleteWhether this man was joking or not, it was completely inappropriate for anyone to say. This kind of "humor" is what is degrading POCs. Going off of what Larsen said, I have witnessed and heard of calling POCs derogatory names and it should not be accepted.
ReplyDeleteHis comment was down right inappropriate and inconsiderate. It wasn't needed and not wanted by almost anybody.
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