EDITORIAL
The trial of Betty Shelby ended on Wednesday with a verdict of ‘not guilty’. This came as no surprise to many who followed the trial closely and to those who understood that the prosecution needed to prove it’s case definitively, while the defence team merely needed to provide reasonable doubt of the prosecution’s version of events on that fateful day in 2016, when unarmed man, Terence Crutcher, lost his life.
Understandably, the case has generated heated conversations, not only in the United States where Shelby’s acquittal sparked some outrage and some indifference, but here in Barbados as well.
The focus has largely been on the race aspect of the case as well as the fact that, on the surface, this seems to be just another in a series of racially motivated incidents. While this view might be justified, when one considers documented cases like the Rodney King case in 1992, certainly, there must be a greater lesson to be learnt from this tragic loss of lives.
Some commentators argued, and perhaps they were right, that it was the public scrutiny of the Rodney King case, as well as the keen attention paid to the topic of police brutality and the treatment of minorities by the authorities that added momentum to the drive for justice and the eventual imprisonment of two of the four accused police officers in that case.
Throughout history, the rights of black people have been championed by the likes of Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Al Sharpton and Rosa Parks and as a result, many of the injustices and inequalities perpetuated as far back as slavery have been remedied; but there is more work to be done in all societies.
There needs still to be a greater appreciation of all races for each other; a general acceptance that it is possible to co-exist in harmony. Dr. King put it this way: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” In other words, we must set aside the attitudes that cause us to profile and target each other.
It is each citizen’s responsibility to earn the rights to which we are entitled under the individual laws of our various countries. Similarly, common sense would dictate that because there are invariably people who hold differing viewpoints, it is in a person’s own interest to protect him or herself.
Without a doubt, in many cases because of their dress, image and behaviour, black men in Jamaica, the United States, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world have played a significant role in feeding the damaging stereotype as well as allowing themselves to be profiled in negative ways.
Given the frequency with which these harmful incidents occur, self-preservation seems to be a healthy option, even as we insist on fair, equal and just treatment for all citizens.
Barbadian men, while not facing as severe a threat as their counterparts in other places, would be well advised to be aware that, not only in the arena of work, but as a general rule, a certain image and attitude are required in order to be successful. While we should not condone profiling on any level, we owe it to our young men to teach them this, rather than accepting and encouraging the sagging pants, untidy hairstyles, uncouth behaviour and other negative traits raising their head in our society.
Terence Crutcher’s death was unnecessary, but should not be in vain. Beyond the prayers and protests, let us learn the painful lessons this episode teaches us.