Cops in Schools. Respect Why the Black/Brown Communities are so Opposed

Richard Mellor
Afscme Local 444, retired

I did this because there was a discussion with some folks in Kentucky about this issue in the wake of the assault on teachers, students and their communities and the very damaging affect this has on the black community in particular. The issue of cops in the school came up.

There was some disagreement. The notifications were shut down and I wanted to comment. The important point I feel is that when black folks raise concerns pointing to how institutionalized racism, the crisis of capitalism and the so-called free market weigh so much more heavily on their communities, families and children and that more cops are no answer to it, they are accused of making it solely a racial issue.

It is not solely a racial issue and they are not saying that. But to get defensive and deny racial/color bias plays no role at all, to not give this argument the recognition and importance worthy of it, is insulting to say the least. When you tell black people to "get over slavery" you have to understand that they can't.  The conditions that they are facing today are a direct result of it and can't be wished away. The historical ability of the white racist ruling class to offer the white working class the "poison bait"  I think is a term that's used to describe certain privileges, is not what it was as all the statistics are beginning to reveal.  No one would deny that all working people are exploited, including white folks, some brutally, but it's not about the individual. Uniting the working class is crucial to ending this crises and we can't unite the working class by denying that these disparities exist and they exist due to centuries of racism and outright exclusion from all opportunity in society. That can't be legislated away. It's at the very least calling people liars. I misspoke early in this saying children were not wanted in schools I think it's pretty obvious I meant police.