Erica Webb – Opinions Columnist
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Kscope’s cover story last week highlighted a problem in the United States—it doesn’t seem to take much for excessive force to be exerted by police, especially in the cases of people arrested for petty crimes. It has been argued that what Addison Winslow did while visiting UAB’s public campus (basically existing at a certain time in a certain place while appearing transient) is not actually a crime at all.
I believe his disorderly conduct charge is a result of a misunderstanding with a police officer too bent on using the specifics of a campus visitor policy that no one on campus even knows exists.
Justice is all about not jumping to conclusions. Instead of assessing the individual situation, this officer ended up creating a compromising situation more so than calming one down.
When confronted by an authority figure, it’s easy, almost natural, to freeze up and try to avoid conflict. When there’s no immediate threat in a situation, an officer should be able to explain why they are asking what they are asking for. This officer did not show any such communication skills that could have prevented further conflict.
What if Winslow wasn’t white? I think it’s a factor that should be assessed, especially in light of the recent racial unrest at Mizzou and the like.
If Winslow had been black, one of two different outcomes would’ve occurred.
One, his story could have actually been broadcasted by the news for the unfairness that it is. Some people believe that is more likely to happen with a black American now because of the emphasis placed on stopping police brutality against black lives specifically (but not exclusively—and I definitely don’t see the “all lives matter” crowd stepping up for this guy.)
However, I believe the chances of that happening would be slim because the right activist would need to see it at the right time. Most people still wouldn’t think twice about a black man getting arrested for this because it goes back to the second possible outcome: victim blaming.
No one really seems to be blaming Winslow for what happened. No one’s saying he was probably a thug or trying to cause trouble anyway. Would that be different if he was black? I’d say it’s extremely likely, if anyone would give his case attention at all. Because instances like this happen every day—police brutality against black lives is normalized to the extent that society assumes it’s somehow their fault.
I am in no way trying to undermine what happened to Mr. Winslow by sharing this aspect, but simply bringing another important perspective to light.
No matter what you want to say about obeying authority, most people aren’t usually going to blindly follow it. Even if it’s the “easier” thing to do, when someone makes demands of you, it’s difficult not to question them. It’s difficult not to resist when seven people are manhandling you when you don’t even understand why it’s happening.
Let’s continue to follow this case and those of all Americans who experience injustice.
