According to a Huffington
Post article by Zahara Hill, there is a new children’s book which helps parents
to address the problem of police brutality. Momma,
Did You Hear The News? written by Sanya Gragg and illustrated by Kim Holt was
released on April 12. The book covers the topic of police brutality in the same
kind of language that one might find in other children’s books by rhyming and
following the story of Avery, a ten-year-old boy who is very concerned about another
case of police brutality. Avery’s parents even teach him a quick pneumonic
device for keeping calm when talking to a police officer: “ALIVE”.
“A – Always use your manners
L – Listen and comply
I – In control of your emotions
V – Visible hands always
E – Explain everything”
When I read the article for
the first time, I was surprised that the topic of police brutality is a “Talk”
in some households, in the same way that the “Sex Talk” is in others, but then
I thought more about it, and it isn’t necessarily surprising given the
disproportionate number of African Americans killed at the hands of police
officers.
I think it speaks volumes
for the kind of society we’re living in right now that families are discussing
police brutality with their children. It’s not only an issue for adults who might
be pulled over while driving based on the color of their skin. This is a
self-preservation and safety campaign. Moving.
I would have to agree that it is really telling that a ten year old boy has to learn steps in order to rescue ones self from police violence. In the media climate that we now find ourselves I believe the numerous amount of unjust killings on civilians demonstrates both lack of training and disproportionate stereotypes. While I would like to believe the majority of cops are out for the betterment of the community, I do believe systematic racism is designed to target African American neighborhoods. Thats why a high level of violence occurs due to the fact that police are looking at these specific areas. while social media has caught a numerous amount of unjust killings, it is hard to imagine the magnitude of police brutality before the age of the cell phone.
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