MikeK
Gold Member
It is simply logical to assume that police commanders at all levels; local, state and federal, have cautioned their subordinates to avoid provocative or excessively aggressive conduct when dealing with Black subjects. But it should be noted that police are not always the primary provocateurs in excessively aggressive White-cop/Black-subject encounters. The fact is many (most) Blacks have a pronounced tendency to be unnecessarily and provocatively mouthy, typically in a manner which is culturally specific but which Whites are not culturally accustomed to and are offended by.
In simple terms, anyone who watches the tv "ride-along" documentary series, COPS, knows that most Blacks who are confronted by cops don't have the good sense to keep their mouths shut and to go along quietly -- even though nothing they can say will make any difference in the emerging process. The accusation that racism is the reason why White cops treat White subjects less aggressively than Blacks are treated is, in most examples, false. The fact is most White subjects of police attention know when to keep their mouths shut and to avoid projecting any offensive body language.
Anyone who has ever watched Black "rap" has seen a typical example of Black body language (arm-waving, jumping around, wiggling, hand gestures, etc). This tendency is a cultural phenomenon. Blacks are far more inclined to express themselves via the medium of body language and facial expressions than are Whites, therefore a simple, unintentionally offensive gesture or expression by a Black subject can have a seriously provocative effect during a White-cop/Black-subject encounter.
It may be said that most negative White-cop/Black-subject encounters are the result of fundamental cultural misunderstanding. So if cops are ordered by their superiors to be no more aggressive than necessary, and if Black males are advised via public education to avoid any form of body language and/or unnecessary verbiage during encounters with police, the ultimate effect will be a substantial reduction in violent encounters.
In simple terms, anyone who watches the tv "ride-along" documentary series, COPS, knows that most Blacks who are confronted by cops don't have the good sense to keep their mouths shut and to go along quietly -- even though nothing they can say will make any difference in the emerging process. The accusation that racism is the reason why White cops treat White subjects less aggressively than Blacks are treated is, in most examples, false. The fact is most White subjects of police attention know when to keep their mouths shut and to avoid projecting any offensive body language.
Anyone who has ever watched Black "rap" has seen a typical example of Black body language (arm-waving, jumping around, wiggling, hand gestures, etc). This tendency is a cultural phenomenon. Blacks are far more inclined to express themselves via the medium of body language and facial expressions than are Whites, therefore a simple, unintentionally offensive gesture or expression by a Black subject can have a seriously provocative effect during a White-cop/Black-subject encounter.
It may be said that most negative White-cop/Black-subject encounters are the result of fundamental cultural misunderstanding. So if cops are ordered by their superiors to be no more aggressive than necessary, and if Black males are advised via public education to avoid any form of body language and/or unnecessary verbiage during encounters with police, the ultimate effect will be a substantial reduction in violent encounters.
