An individual being against police brutality is not the same as being against the police in the same way that being against drowning is not the same as being against water. Unfortunately, though, many law enforcement officials believe that mourning or showing concern for individuals killed by police is a direct attack on all police officers.
Such was the case Saturday night when members of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx simultaneously expressed grief over the senseless deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and the five Dallas police officers slain in an ambush last week. Before their home game against the Dallas Wings, Lynx players wore shirts that read “Change Starts with Us – Justice and Accountability” on the front. On the back, the shirts listed the names of Sterling and Castile, along with the Dallas PD shield and, at the bottom, Black Lives Matters. It was a way to honor the lives of all those affected by a week filled with senseless and horrific killings.
Lynx All-Star forward Maya Moore told reporters, “We do not in any way condone violence against the men and women who serve in our police force. Senseless violence and retaliation do not bring us peace.”
She added: “We as a nation can decide to stand up for what is right, no matter your race, background or social status. It is time we take a deep look at our ability to be compassionate and empathetic to those suffering from the problems that are deep within our society.”
Sadly, four off-duty police officers working security for the Lynx were apparently appalled at the idea that black lives matter as much as police lives and they abandoned their posts and staged a walkout. They also gave notice that they would no longer work security detail for the Lynx.
Way to go officers. The furious four decided to respond to empathy with anger. The officers, who took an oath to protect and serve the community, angrily decided not to do it anymore (for the Lynx, at least). They made their decision solely because basketball players suggested that Sterling and Castile did not deserve to die. Instead of echoing the players’ empathy, the officers acted like the spoiled kid at the playground and snatched their ball away and stormed home. Yet many still wonder why black Americans are so frustrated by the law enforcement system.
I don’t hate police officers. I recognize the need for law enforcement and acknowledge that many officers do a wonderful job of protecting the public in an honorable way. However, here are two harsh realities: some police officers do their jobs poorly and even good cops can make bad decisions.
Just like in professional sports, officers who perform poorly should either be benched (taken off the streets) until they improve or cut. An athlete’s mistake during a sporting event can cost a possession, a game or even a championship, but an officer’s mistake in the field can cost a life.
Unfortunately, our society is stuck in an ‘us versus them’ mentality and many officers and police unions go into full defense and/or attack mode at any suggestion that an officer acted inappropriately. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, when asked about the officer walk out, the president of the Minneapolis Police Federation, Lt. Bob Kroll, commended the officers’ actions.
“If [the players] are going to keep their stance, all officers may refuse to work there,” stated Kroll.
When the initial reports suggested that as many as eight officers participated in the walk out, Kroll took at cheap shot at the WNBA franchise, adding, “They only have four officers working the event because the Lynx have such a pathetic draw.”
Great job, Kroll. Temper tantrums and attacks are exactly what was needed to reinforce the public’s trust with law enforcement [/sarcasm].
Other athletes take a stand
It seems that despite often-harsh responses by law enforcement, more athletes are making the decision to stand up in the face of injustice. Black athletes make up a sizable percentage of professional sports rosters and athletes of all races are now beginning to make their voices heard more than has been the case in recent years.
In addition to the Lynx, the New York Liberty wore shirts with “#BlackLivesMatter” and “#Dallas5” before its game Sunday. Liberty Head Coach Cheryl Reeve tweeted, “To rebut BLM with ‘All Lives Matter’ implies that all lives are equally at risk, and they’re not. #BlackLivesMatter doesn’t mean your life isn’t important if you aren’t black—it means that Black lives, which are seen without value within White supremacy, are important.”
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony took it a step further on Instagram and implored athletes to not only be more vocal, but to join the efforts for change.
“I’m calling for all my fellow ATHLETES to step up and take charge,” Anthony wrote. “There’s NO more sitting back and being afraid of tackling and addressing political issues anymore. Those days are long gone. We have to step up and take charge. We can’t worry about what endorsements we gonna lose or whose [sic] going to look at us crazy.”
LeBron James, who is no stranger to speaking out against police brutality, shared the post. Many other athletes such as Dwayne Wade, Swin Cash, Serena Williams, Jeremy Lin, Boris Becker, Chris Long, Colin Kaepernick, and many others expressed support or made similar pleas against police brutality after witnessing the videos of deaths of Sterling and Castile. They join a long and growing list of athletes who are tired of seeing people unnecessarily killed at the hands of law enforcement.
While some may see these public stances as lip service or a far cry from the days of Bill Russell, Jim Brown or Muhammad Ali, the more public pressure that is put on politicians, police departments and public officials, the more likely we are to see effective change in laws, policies and behaviors.
Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk
