STOP POLICE BRUTALITY

The recent killing of George Floyd in Minnesota on May 25 caused an outrage in the Black community worldwide.

The viral video showed George pleading for his life as the officer knelt on his neck before he passed away. It saddened my heart to hear of yet another murder of a Black man by the police force. The police have a duty to protect the life and property of citizens, but rather than protect lives, we have lost many lives, especially in the Black community due to police brutality, stereotypes and discrimination associated with the colour of our skin. The number of Black men and women who have been racially profiled leading to wrongful convictions and sometimes killed by the police over the past years seems to be increasing. Perhaps it has always been this way and now, due to the presence of social media, it is becoming more known as people are filming it. Over the past few days, I have seen more videos online showing the police wrongfully attempting to arrest people of colour without a warrant or even asking for a means of identification before trying to arrest them. It is indeed terrifying that in this day and age, as a Black community we are unsafe and unable to freely stay in our homes, walk on the street, go to a store or even do anything somewhat normal without the fear of being racially profiled and gunned down or arrested for no reason. Police brutality is not just a problem in America but all over the world. An officer who has taken an oath to serve and protect should fulfill his or her duty and protect all of the citizens, regardless of skin colour, gender or religion. We are all human beings. There should be stringent rules in place and police officers should be held accountable to ensure a safer environment for every citizen.

Nelo Nwajei, UPEI student, Charlottetown