Peaceful protests have spread across the nation in response to the most recent instance of police killing of an unarmed black person, George Floyd. This, unfortunately, is not a unique case in this country. In response to these peaceful protests, police are utilizing tear gas, rubber bullets, Tasers, pepper spray, and plowing vehicles into crowds. The police response highlights the excessive brute force and violence by law enforcement that the protests are speaking against. It is beyond due that we, as a nation, listen to the message of these protests and take action to hold ourselves and police accountable.

When racist acts of violence by the police are brought to light, a popular response is, “but not all cops are bad.” However, the issue being addressed here is systemic, not individual. Police violence is a pattern and is long overdue to be fixed. For example, according to Mapping Police Violence, 7,666 people were killed by U.S. police between 2013-19. Black people are disproportionately targeted and are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people. And Kansas is not exempt: 11 black people were reportedly killed here during this time frame. This is not about crime; this is about racism and white supremacy that is in the lifeblood of this nation. The number of killings does not match falling crime rates, and regardless of what crimes are committed, lethal force is not a means to justice.

Having spent the majority of my life in Ellsworth County, I know that my whiteness and upbringing obscure my understanding of state sanctioned violence, including these killings by police. I do not mean to pretend to have all the answers — I certainly have a lot of room to grow. While I will never fully understand the experience of being black or brown in the United States, I prioritize listening to those most impacted. Black lives matter and this issue of systemic racism requires all of us onboard for change.

Sophia Ford

Eugene, Ore.,

formerly of Wilson