New Orleans cops doing their best to rid the “Big Easy” of drunks and rabble rousers (at least the black ones)…in time for Mardi Gras
In the aftermath of Los Angeles cops being caught on tape beating Rodney King to a pulp, I was obliged to explain to my dumfounded white friends why so many black men resist arrest – so reflexively. It is regrettable, therefore, that video taken last week of New Orleans cops beating the hell out of an old black man obliges me to do so yet again.
Many white people seem to think that black men resist arrest because they are either high on drugs (as Rodney King was), have just committed a crime and are trying to flee (like all criminals do) or are just plain stupid and have no respect for authority (which, alas, is true in some cases). But the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of us are inclined to resist arrest because of a socialization process that has imbued us with the reasonable suspicion that when white policemen stop us, they often do so just to harass or beat us – based on no probable cause at all.
[However, no amount of commentary can convey this psycho-sociological pathology with greater clarity or poignancy than a scene from the movie “Crash” that is now out on DVD. It is a scene – all too familiar to blacks in real life – where white cops stop a black couple (for DWB – driving while black). And, the way those cops “check out” and interrogate the couple is enough to put the proverbial chip on the shoulder of any self-respecting black man…for life.
For the edification of white folks who see Crash, it might help you to know that most of us identify with the rage that comes out of the woman in the scene that follows; which means, of course, that most black men in that situation would have been all over that cop and would probably have ended up badly beaten or, more likely, dead.
If you haven’t seen this movie, I recommend it highly. But I digress…]
In this case, long-time New Orleans resident Robert Davis insists that he gave the police no probable cause to arrest him. And, that when “all of them came at me, I feared for my life.” For their part, the cops report that Davis was drunk and disorderly. (An ironic charge considering that “drunk and disorderly” is precisely the behaviour city officials promote as part of the revenue-generating Mardi Gras culture of New Orleans). The cops also claim that Davis was “shuffling along and bumping into people and had to be restrained for his protection and theirs.” And, they insist that they followed “standard procedures” to accomplish this law enforcement task.
Nevertheless, in examining the video of this “routine” arrest (as I have done), one is immediately struck by several indisputable facts:
It begins with four young and armed police officers surrounding the elderly Davis;
They have him pinned with his face against the wall and his hands behind his back;
Then suddenly one of the officers begins pummeling Davis in the back of his head;
Only then does Davis react and a scuffle ensues;
The officers wrestle Davis to the ground where, even though he’s clearly restrained, one of them continues punching him above the shoulders (whether on the head or in the face, one cannot see at this point);
The final scene shows Davis writhing, virtually unconscious, on the ground in a pool of blood.
Now, only a defense lawyer – doing his best to keep these rouge cops out of prison – would argue that they only used reasonable force to arrest Davis; and that, whatever beating he got, Davis “brought it on by his actions.” But, if Davis can substantiate his claim that he hasn’t had a drink – in 25 years – their defense is shot!
Meanwhile, some of their lay-defenders are claiming that the stress of losing their homes and having to cope with the post-Katrina chaos caused these cops to commit this brutal assault on Davis. But, besides being a fatuous argument on its face, the people making it are probably the same ones who condemned as criminals the poor blacks who were compelled to steal bread and water after losing their homes and being abandoned by local and federal officials.
Nevertheless, I suspect that even the jurors who acquitted the cops involved in the Rodney King assault would convict these cops in less time than it took the OJ jurors to acquit him. (Did you get that?)
The real story here is that, despite all of the purported racial awareness and sensitivity training, too many white cops (all over America) still seem empowered and motivated by stereotypes in their dealings with black people. And, only God knows how many other black men have been treated this way but have no way of challenging the police brutality against them because it was not caught on tape.
News and Politics
Anonymous says
As a white European, I too was dumfounded by the “psycho-sociological pathology” you write about. A truly edifying read. I look forward to seeing the movie you recommend. I hope the New Orleans police officers involved spend a great deal of time in jail for their indefensible behaviour.
Anonymous says
It’s amazing how divided we Americans are on this whole police brutality thing. I’ll sit at work and ask a white, middle class, working slob if Rodney Kings beat down was justified and I’ll get a resounding, “Hell yes!’ I’ll post the same question to a latino or African American and they’ll say otherwise.
This shit goes on everyday. It’s just that there is no one with a camera there every time it happens.
In New York City fear of the NYPD is now becoming an inherited trait instead of a learned one.
Noel
Anonymous says
this is a really good article. i never thought about the dynamics between police and african americans in this way. there’s so much food for thought here. and, having already seen the movie, i now have a new / informed perspective on that incredible scene.
and you’re right, most of my fellow white people are simply dumfounded about this pathology.
Anonymous says
Is it just me or does it seem strange that 4 white policemen would have such a difficult time restraining an old black man and, if we’re to believe the police, one who was so drunk he could barely stand up….
Anonymous says
On the one hand, I am tempted to simply throw up my hands and mutter “Same sh*t, different day”. Yet as the father of a black son, I am driven by necessity to organize my thoughts in such a way as to protect my son with a survival strategy for the inevitable encounter(s) he will have with the police. It will likely resemble the same talks that my mother drummed into my head some 30+ years ago. For those who wonder about the progress in race relations, it would be instructive to consider this all too important dynamic. Furthermore, I am struck by how little capacity there is generally for another person’s plight. So many of us go about of daily routine, that we often ignore what is in plain view everyday.
Rage….
Anonymous says
I can’t believe this crap. I’m a white male and I understand the “pathology” of black people, what I cannot grasp is the pathology of the white cops . I unfortunately live in Louisiana and I am astonished at the sheer number of confederate flags I see. Do people not understand or are they proud that their relatives fought and died, in vain, to keep black people slaves?
I hear about these gross injustices and think of what all these cops truly deserve and then I think what is most probable, that they will either be acquitted or spend some time living in a Hilton of a prison. In the end these cops will get off way too easy no matter what.