Evy N. California

Police Brutality

Police Brutality and Racial Inequality must be stopped.

Dear Future President,

         Throughout the decades and centuries there have been tons of cases concerning police brutality especially towards colored people. This has come to a point where it needs to completely stop. I’m writing to you regarding police brutality and racism.Black people are about three times as more likely to be targeted and become a victim of police brutality than light-colored people. You need to find a solution for this issue by ending racism and bringing justice for the victims of police brutality.

           This nation is falling apart because of the inequality of people with different skin colors. In an article written by the people of KQED they shared this quote from the Kerner Commission Report, “This is our basic conclusion: Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal.” The United States is now being separated of different races and religions. Police Brutality plays a part in this because it is an example of how white people and black people get treated differently.

            Police Brutality has affected hundreds of lives over the past few years. Many police officers use excessive force when handling many situations. For example, in an Chicago Tribune article the author states, "He has his hands up and is facing the car and looks at Shelby, and his left hand goes through the car window, and that's when she fired her shot," Wood said. Attorneys for Crutcher's family dispute that, pointing to an enlarged photo from police footage that appears to show Crutcher's window was rolled up.” This is an example of a recent case of police brutality. A black man named Terence Crutcher was shot and killed by police while waiting for help because his car broke down. The police officer claimed that he was walking back to his car and getting a gun from inside the window, yet the evidence shows otherwise. There could have been many other ways to handle this situation rather than killing him. Police officers should stop and think before pulling the trigger and ending someone’s life.

            There are some people who are against the idea of police brutality towards people of color.The hashtag, #BlackLivesMatter has been trending and there are a few who are against it and started a new hashtag of #AllLivesMatter. The New York Times wrote, “Saying “All Lives Matter” in response would suggest to them that all people are in equal danger, invalidating the specific concerns of black people.” This hashtag implied that all people mattered the same, which is true. But it also meant that black people didn’t face as much danger as other races, which is completely false.Don’t get me wrong, all lives are equally important and in danger, however black people are more targeted and in danger compared to white people.

            Police Brutality and Racial Inequality is important because it will and is currently affecting us and the future of America. As the future president you should take action to end police brutality and racism. Many lives are hurt and influenced by this and we have to take action now.Police Brutality and Racial Inequality have been going on for decades and must be stopped now. It’s either now or never to save lives.

                                                             Sincerely,

                                                                             Evy N.

Services, Tribune News. "Terence Crutcher Was Turning Life around before Fatal Tulsa Police Shooting, Family Says." Chicagotribune.com. N.p., 21 Sept. 2016. Web. 07 Oct. 2016.

Engebretson, By Jess. "Lessons from the Police Shootings and Urban Race Riots of the 1960s." The Lowdown. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2016.

Victor, Daniel. "Why ‘All Lives Matter’ Is Such a Perilous Phrase." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 July 2016. Web. 07 Oct. 2016.

Bernal Intermediate

The Lester Lovers

Mrs. Fresh's amazingly small and awesome class of 2016-2017. We are 8th graders who have lots of love for learning, laughing, and Lester (Holt - our favorite debate moderator).

All letters from this group →