feature: how do black police officers justify participating in the arrests of #blacklivesmatter protestors?

As the most recent #Blacklivesmatter protests begin to catch major heat, many protestors and observers are narrowing in on their enemy: the Police. Yet, if one looks closer on the front lines, and in the countless arrests captured on social media, the oppressors in blue are not always ‘in White’. Why are there black officers suppressing a movement to further their own freedom? Is it a code of conduct? Brainwash caused by intense systematic racism? Or simply being caught in a loop priority and purpose? In many recent cases, the black officers are as torn inside as the protestors, but they find themselves in a position of so-called power serving alongside the labeled ‘murderers of brown bodies’. They obey the rules of a system that does not obey their needs, while handcuffing those who only aim to achieve recognition and relief. Will the Black Boys in Blue ever subdue the real problem?

“Black cops are standing on eggshells right now. They want to speak out but they’re afraid to speak out for fear of backlash.”

“Every black cop in America was looking at their TV this week and watching the execution of Castile and Sterling and they were feeling really bad about being a cop because that’s not what being a cop is. These weren’t mistakes. These were executions.” – Officer Pegues, NYPD

“My heart has been totally torn out of my chest by both violence perpetrated on officers and violence perpetrated by officers…”- Former Officer Gilstrap, DPD

“Black law enforcement is caught in the middle, we understand the issues in black communities and the dangers that law enforcement face. It’s up to black law enforcement to fix this and be more vocal on this issue.”- Officer Jones NYPD

The position of these officers is undeniably a one of extreme confliction, and though there has been continuous talk of a ‘reform’ among cops of color, and action towards an internal difference, as of now- the police as a whole leave little room for societal acceptance. The question to ask is, are you still an ‘officer’ when you remove your uniform and put on your hoodie? Or are you just as much of a victim as every other brown or black American? 

By Cree B. McClellan, AFROPUNK contributor