#NNPA BlackPress
COMMENTRY: The Floyd Case May Change The Worldview Of America
FLORIDA STAR — America is not immune to police misconduct. Since the Rodney King videotaped beating in 1991, the camcorder, now the (Cell Phone) has been critical in showing questionable police tactics throughout the country. There has been an outcry from black communities for decades that this is normal behavior by police when dealing with minority suspects. But video recordings have somewhat leveled the playing field of evidence.
By Reginald Blount
The George Floyd case is not just a case against officer Dereck Chauvin, it’s a case that could redefine how America is viewed across the globe. On May 25, 2020, Officer Dereck Chauvin was recorded with his knee in the neck of a handcuffed, face down George Floyd for over 9 minutes, while two other officers assisted in the restraint and one stood to watch. Several bystanders including medical professionals were pleading with the officer to allow Floyd to breathe. Chauvin continued with his knee on Floyd’s neck even after he appeared unconscious. The incident sent shock waves throughout the world. Paramedics arriving on the scene attempted to feel for a pulse in the unresponsive Floyd while Chauvin continued with his knee in Floyd’s neck.
America is not immune to police misconduct. Since the Rodney King videotaped beating in 1991, the camcorder, now the (Cell Phone) has been critical in showing questionable police tactics throughout the country. There has been an outcry from black communities for decades that this is normal behavior by police when dealing with minority suspects. But video recordings have somewhat leveled the playing field of evidence. It would appear that police and their legal teams have adjusted to recorded evidence by demonizing the victim’s credibility with the common explanations that drugs were in the victim’s systems giving them unusual superhuman strength or the Police feared for their life, thus causing further police aggression to control or kill the suspect.
The U.S. Supreme court’s 1985 decision that the perception from a police officer to use deadly force is squarely in the hands of that officer. This has proven problematic in the use of deadly force and has further complicated any reasonable means of justice for victims and their families by police actions.
An exoneration of Dereck Chauvin could have worldwide implications as America may be viewed as a nation of unfairness, unjust laws, and rules of engagement stacked heavily against its citizens, especially people of color. Evan a guilty verdict will not erase what the world saw on that May 25th evening, as a handcuffed defenseless George Floyd died in real-time at the hands of law enforcement.
Reginald Blount is a former city council candidate, retired military veteran, public policy analyst for the newly formed National Frontline (Jacksonville), and Adjunct Professor at FSCJ. He holds a master’s degree in public policy and is a graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School SSDCO program.
The post The Floyed Case May Change The Worldview Of America first appeared on The Florida Star | The Georgia Star.
