Atta Tariq Midterm

Name: Atta Tariq 

Author: Larry Elder

Title: Where’s Black Lives Matter when you need them?

Topic: Black Lives Matter, George Floyd.

Thesis:  Larry Elder talks about George Floyd and what caused his death. Which was a knee to his neck for 9 minutes after Floyd repeating many times he cannot breathe. He brings in data stating that “Recent studies not only find no systemic abuse of black suspects by the cops, but if anything, cops are more hesitant, more reluctant, to use deadly force against a black suspect than against a white suspect.” Basically trying to say that the cops are scared to use weapons against black folks and shows statistics as well. He also mentions that the majority of white young men’s death causes are accidents and for young black men it is homicide. He tries to also tell us that not all cops are bad. 

Reasons/Details supporting Thesis: Larry mentions this in his article: “The No. 1 cause of preventable death for young white men is accidents, such as car accidents and drownings. The No. 1 reason for death, preventable or otherwise for young black men, is homicide, almost always at the hands of another young black man. In 2018, there were approximately 7,400 black homicide victims, more than half of the nation’s total number of homicides, while the black population is 13% of the U.S. total.” He also says that “the protests are about the alleged epidemic of widespread and race-based police brutality against blacks and the lack of confidence, in the case of Floyd, that justice will be done.”

 

Summary: 

 

In the article “Where’s Black Lives Matter when you need them?” written by Larry Elder. He talks about the incident which has recently taken place about four cops killing a black man named “George Floyd”. Floyd kept saying “I can’t breathe” but cops didn’t listen and after an hour, he was pronounced dead. People protested in which businesses were looted and burnt out. There were also charges against cops. I agree with the author that all cops are not bad. It’s in our heads and judging people by their color. We need to change our minds. Crime is everywhere, it doesn’t mean we only suspect specific race just because of their color. We can’t judge each cop over one cop who messed up really bad. But, this incident made every cop look bad. The trust is gone for the citizens. People do not feel safe.