police brutality, law enforcement

In recent days the United States has seen numerous protests across the country as people march against police brutality and law enforcement tactics which are seen as excessive. There are people on both sides, some angry that police officers were not indicted when a citizen is killed by law enforcement and others who feel like the individuals contributed to their own deaths by not complying with the demands of the police officers. The take on police brutality crosses economic and racial lines, with some whites protesting and some African Americans defending the law enforcement officers. One African American pastor spoke out about the thug culture in many poor neighborhoods, and blamed Michael Brown’s parents for not teaching their son to respect the police an dcomply with orders from law enforcement.

Police brutality and aggressive law enforcement tactics are a problem, but this is not just a problem for African Americans. In a number of recent incidents the individual did not comply with demands, and force was required to execute the arrest. Should a law enforcement officer overlook crimes or aggressive actions just because of the race of the individual? Some are saying that this is what is expected by certain leaders in the African American community, and others point out that white individuals are killed by police in larger numbers than African Americans. Police brutality does occur I the USA, but whether the recent cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner involved the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers is hotly debated. Do you think it is a matter of race or one that involves disrespect and an anti law enforcement attitude instead?