Opinion

MARTIN: Police brutality will not end until we vote

Jacob Blake is a 29-year-old African American man who was recently shot by police August 23.
The incident occurred in Kenosha, Wisconsin as officers were attempting to arrest Blake.
He was shot seven times in the back, as he opened the driver’s door to his SUV and leaned in.
The shooting has been followed by protests, property damage, and shootings deaths in downtown Kenosha. Blake has become one of the many unarmed victims of police brutality.
Everyone wants change in America, and I hear to tell you we won’t see much change until we vote.
I believe we will not see change that is significant until we have new leaders in place or leaders that care about this problem.
The most powerful and wealthy people are the ones that can prevent police brutality.
Our leaders such as our President, Congress, senators, mayors and other leaders are the ones that can change this.
They have the power to make more strict laws and punishments.
We must put the politicians in office that will answer to the “Black Lives Matter” movement and make positive change.
After the George Floyd incident, nine members of the Minneapolis City Council announced they were seeking to dismantle the city’s police department. This is what we need from leaders around the country.
Police brutality or police violence is legally defined as a civil rights violation where law enforcement officers exercise undue or excessive force against a subject. Police are not allowed to use excessive force or treat the arrestee cruelly.
This is universal and supported by the U.S. Constitution. Officers are only allowed to use minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves and bring the suspect into custody. This is mainly the reason why people are advised to never resist an arrest or argue with police, even if they believe the arrest is wrong.
In the Blake shooting, I cannot see how you can justify seven shots to the back.
People that don’t see the problem in this are just insensitive. Some reports are that he reached into the SUV and he had a knife. If true, why did the officers let it get this far. Why is shooting someone almost dead when they do not comply the first option.
I am sure that the officers have many ways that they could’ve brought Blake to custody. Police officers are trained to protect and serve not kill. There were multiple of them on the scene all geared up.
What about the taser guns they all have? Why go to the deadliest option first?
Regardless of whether he is guilty or not, he deserves to go through the court of law just like anyone else.
We need officers that understand this and officers that think fast, smart, and logically.
The change will happen when we vote. Vote for the right people that care about the problem of police brutality. We need the President, Congress, senators, governors, mayors, city councils and much more to key in to have the most fit people protect and serve.

– De'Vante Martin is a sophomore mass communication major from St. Joseph, La.

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