Acts of police violence against often unarmed and defenseless African Americans and people of color will not stop until the consequences of such actions are greater than the rewards. These acts do not happen in other communities with such frequency and abandon because those communities have and exercise the power to hold people accountable for their actions. While White supremacy, racism and other forms of bias most certainly exist and play a role, in the final analysis it’s a question of power—power to hold people accountable for their behavior. Another person need not respect me, but if the price of disrespect is more than they are willing to pay they will moderate their behavior.
Justice requires communities of consequence.
To quote Frederick Douglas: “Power never concedes anything without a demand.” African Americans and people of color have the power to demand to be respected. We have the power of our votes and the power of our purses. Organized people and organized money have the power to act in their own self-interest when others will not. We are not required to spend our money with people who will not stand with us. We are not required to vote for candidates who will not stand with us.
Justice requires communities of consequence.
Where and when justice is denied, there must be consequences, or there will never be justice.
