There exists a great divide in our nation. Regardless of your belief that racism continues to grow in our nation, or deny the facts, the truth is that if you are black or white, you will receive different treatment by law enforcement. The number of cases which prove this fact are in the thousands; many of them are never reported by the media.

Black Lives Matter is a movement, not the name of a protest group. It arose from multiple protests exposing excessive force used against black men and women, and continues to represent the plight of black people across the nation.

You are likely aware of many situations which have been reported in local or national news. Last Friday another incident occurred in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The criminals were children, ages six to eleven. The number of children arrested was unclear, but it was believed to be ten. Five of those taken into custody were black.

Their crime was standing by a fight outside of the school, and failing to ‘break up’ the skirmish. The young students were handcuffed and taken to a juvenile detention facility. Parents, community members, and social justice experts across the nation were appalled.

“It’s unimaginable, unfathomable that authority figures would … do something that has such implications,” said Bishop Joseph Walker III, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville. “When we, as a community, are telling our kids don’t get involved in violence and don’t get in harm’s way, (arresting them for not intervening) is the most amazing paradox of our society — and it is devastating to us.”

This community has been uneasy regarding its relationship with law enforcement for some time. Residents are angry about this incident, believing that it is another example of excessive action by the police.

The children were all released to the custody of their parents, but the community has demanded action by the school board and local law enforcement.

Hillary Clinton may be criticized for many reasons, but her belief that a complete reformation of our judicial system is accurate. Inadequate training is the greatest problem. Simply learning the law and how to shoot a weapon is insufficient in modern society. Force must cease to be their first response.

The United States has five percent of the world’s population, and 25 percent of individuals incarcerated around the world. If the root of the problem was addressed in an intelligent and progressive manner, maybe the future of our prisons would experience facilities which were less crowded and less harsh, and offer rehabilitation instead of punishment.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Huybrechts

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