The nation is in a crisis with no hopes of immediate improvements. Centuries of cries from the disadvantaged and most vulnerable individuals are not heard. In the most recent situation, The Jefferson County grand jury came to the decision to charge former police detective Brett Hankison with three felony counts of wanton endangerment, but not charge any officers with the death of Breonna Taylor. The lack of appropriate charges for all officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor was not surprising, especially considering how history has a way of repeating itself.
The continuous disregard for Black lives and justice for those murdered by the hands of police officers is inflaming. There was no justice for the shooting of Tamir Rice in 2014, no indictments for the suffocation of Eric Garner in 2014, and no charges for the killing of Michael Brown in 2014. The victim’s families were paid millions of dollars by their respective cities, and most recently, Breonna Taylor’s family was paid $12 million.
These civil settlements do not address the systemic racism plaguing our country. These pay-offs indicate it is easier to shovel money to these suffering families as opposed to offer justice for the victims and their families and prevent the next unlawful police shooting. In reality, these settlements exhaust city-budgets and further extend the notion of systemic racism.
The day before the grand jury’s decision in Breonna Taylor’s case was announced, the Louisville mayor, Greg Fischer, declared a state of emergency for the city. This order signaled the civil unrest that would follow, indicating that the decision was in favor of the undeniable reality that systematic racism is rooted in the very laws designed to protect and defend all Americans. This declaration not only was an attempt to prepare the city, but the nation for what was next to come.
This case exposes the conflict of interest between prosecutors and their police departments. Preferential treatment, bias, and subjectivity is entangled within our law enforcement and the very laws to protect our safety and abuse by the government itself. The charge of wanton endangerment disregards the cries of justice for Breonna Taylor because it pertains to select neighbors. Brett Hankison was charged with firing at a nearby apartment unit occupying a man, pregnant woman, and child inside. These charges of the lowest class for a felony do not scratch the surface of the flawed, negligence that met Breonna Taylor’s death that night. Hankison was reckless in discharging his weapon, but he, along with two other officers, murdered an innocent, unarmed, defenseless Black woman. These derisory charges, along with the settlement, signify that Breonna Taylor’s life does not matter.
It is difficult to have faith in a legal system that has a history of failing Black people. Although the FBI’s investigation is ongoing regarding Breonna Taylor’s death, currently there is not confidence that federal charges will occur. The grand jury failed to give hope to a nation that is grieving. The system, procedures, and policies need an overhaul, so that the detrimental aspects of history stop repeating itself.
There is a history of Black people being murdered at the hands of police officers, and then cities paying off their families. This is disheartening and nauseating, ignoring our liberties and fundamental rights. Reforming the system that allows Black people to be murdered without consequence is unjust. Enough of the bloodshed. Until the legal system is absolutely reformed, the world will continue to advocate that Black Lives Matter.
Iana Fields is a sophomore studying English creative writing at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Iana? Tweet her @FieldsIana.
