While seemingly gaining a small step in the right direction for America with the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial, another African American gets shot by the police. Her name was Ma’Khia Bryant.
Officers are sworn to protect and serve, but often they show up, shoot, and another person dies. The officer’s bodycam shows that there only seemed to be mere seconds to make a decision when he sees what appears to be a knife in one girl’s hand attempting to stab another person. It was in those seconds that the officer had to make a decision. I find myself asking a myriad of questions: was firing 4 shots at Ma’Khia necessary? Was the gun the only solution or would a taser have sufficed? Would the response have been different if it were two White girls fighting? And lastly, I find myself asking a rather disturbing question… Who is to blame?
Undoubtedly the police officer firing the 4 shots that claimed her life is the one who is at fault, yet I can’t seem to digest the fact that perhaps her death could have been prevented that day… before the police arrived.
The bodycam not only shows her final moments, but also other adults who were present and filming the fight as it was taking place. The video shows others filming the altercation and others cheering. Not one of them decided to intervene and it puzzles me as to why? When the arguing started, not one person stepped in. When it continued, no one stepped in. When the knife appears, no one stepped in. Instead, they reached for their cell phones. I cannot shake this disturbing fact that our society has become accustomed to doing nothing. We’d rather record these altercations and upload them for pure entertainment… all for just another “World Star” moment.
Capturing these abominable acts for entertainment is not too far removed from the lynching photography in the 1800s where photos of those lynched would be turned into souvenirs for those in attendance. All of this, in mockery of a life.
A girl lost her life yesterday and albeit harsh, I blame everyone in her community, not just the officer. I blame those adults who were filming for enjoyment. I blame the adults who seemingly cheered on the fight. I blame the adults for purposefully not intervening. The community failed her.
It isn’t until they are willing to acknowledge the inherent racism that is deep within their system that change can happen. Racism and the lack of trust between Black Americans and the police has to change. Accountability and reform need to happen. While the conviction of Derek Chauvin seemingly proved we were embarking on a path, the correct path, the death of Ma’Khia Bryant alongside others killed by police proves we have barely begun to scratch the surface of change in America.
America has to heal. We have to do better… we must do better.
Similar read: The Significance of Derek Chauvin’s Verdict
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