We Want Justice, Not Revenge

Police Brutality & Systematic Racism in the Judicial System 

With everything the year has presented to us in our country, nothing is more prevalent right now than the need for judicial reform. Unfortunately, in the United States, the terms revenge and justice often get muddled in conversation. Without clarification, these words can be misconstrued into something that takes away from the mission at hand. Let us be clear, revenge is predominantly emotional. The cases of outlandish behavior can come from not getting your way, and therefore there are acts of violence that can be viewed as a vengeful response. Justice, however, is primarily rational. It focuses on the logic, ethics, and legal standpoints that right the wrongs in a society based on what has been established by law. The issue here is that when justice is not followed based on the guidelines that are created, revenge can feel like a natural response, especially for those within the black community. While justice is supposed to be closure and offer a resolution, this is not the case for many Black Americans, especially in police brutality. 

Unfortunately, the epidemic of police violence towards black men and women in America is not a new narrative in this country. Since the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013, the amount of light that has been shed concerning police use of force has been prominent, and with social media on the continuous rise, there are more eyes than ever on this issue. Which prompts many to think, how is it possible these persist? With many police officers not being held accountable, systematic racism infiltrates the judicial system. The disadvantages that plague Black America have prevented us from receiving equality in the fundamental rights we were born to have in this country. Inaction is simply unacceptable at this time. From the recent killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and sadly many others, these defining moments and next steps need to lead to critical solutions.