The senseless murder of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers has reached a boiling point. These gross injustices, occurring on a seemingly daily basis, have captured the consciousness of every citizen in this nation.
Athletes, in particular NFL players, are currently at the forefront and Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin is the latest to use his platform and jump into the national discourse. Compelled to speak out after witnessing the video of Terence Crutcher being fatally shot in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Baldwin called for serious change. In comments captured by the USA Today, Baldwin said:
As an american black male in this country, I’m suggesting calling — I’m demanding — that all 50 state attorney generals call for a review of their policies and training policies for police and law enforcement. To eliminate militaristic cultures while putting a higher emphasis on de-escalation tactics and crisis-management measures.
This is a good move by Baldwin. One of the criticisms against this movement is there are no concrete next steps. But Baldwin clearly demands what he wants. The training and methods by which police are instructed to deal with crime (read: system) needs to change. We need a revolution and a resolution to this severe systemic and systematic problem that is crippling this nation. Baldwin knows systemic change must occur at the legislative level and he specifically called on each state’s attorney general.
There should not be an inherent risk when you have an encounter with law enforcement. There should not be a concern or worry that the law enforcement is not there to protect you. And I think we’re raising a culture or society right now that is questioning that very sentiment. And so as a human being, I can’t help but sit up here and tell you how I feel and let you know that it’s not OK.
Baldwin knows that not all cops are bad but he believes that there are cops that don’t abide by the law and as a human he believes it is incumbent on him and all of us to not be ok with this.
Baldwin’s comments have already garnered interest, Washington attorney general Bob Ferguson reached out via Twitter looking to set up a meeting. Here’s hoping he is the first of all 50 attorney generals coming to the table to work on a real solution.
See video of Baldwin’s comments below.