When News Hits 1.1

      As more information about the murder of Paul O'Neal comes forward, people have - understandably - reacted with grief, and confusion, and anger.  They have also reacted with defensiveness, which is also understandable.  It's just also very sad.  When people feel defensive, they are the least likely to listen to others, or empathize, or learn.
      I just feel sick.  Over the weekend I was visiting extended family, watching the news, and when I saw the body camera videos being played I wanted to vomit.  I felt terribly sad for Mr. O'Neal and his family.  Imagine having a loved one killed, and then seeing a video of it broadcast all over the nation, showing the fear and chaos surrounding his death?  How can one possibly endure such a public horror?  The only thought that would keep me sane is if I believed that justice would ultimately be served.

I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to be in Briana Adam's place, and I pray that nobody else ever will be. Photo Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-fatal-police-shooting-video-of-paul-o-neal-released-photos-20160805-photogallery.html

      I think it's our duty as compassionate human beings to see that justice is served for all of these wrongful, clearly race-related deaths.
      I had a brief but interesting discussion with my family after the clips were played.  The officers behavior was roundly condemned, for several reasons, including a few I hadn't even thought of.  It was pointed out that when they opened fire at the car they were being reckless on several counts, including the risk of injuring the driver  and having him cause further damage with his vehicle, and also the idiocy given their positions, since the officers themselves were in the crossfire.  Then there's the question of whether the driver's actions justified being shot to begin with.  Even if he intentionally tried to hit an officer with the car, does that equate the use of lethal force?
      One item brought up was the necessity of identifying potential "hot heads" before admission into the police academy.  As a psychologist, I don't know if that's really possible, but it sure as hell sounds like a good idea to me--can we screen for racist bias, too?  How about propensity to develop racist bias?  How about vulnerability to peer pressure, spoken or otherwise?
      The one thing we did not discuss at length was how race played a part in Paul O'Neal's death.  I asked right out, "Would the officers have opened fire if the suspect was White?"  A few comments were muttered, and then the subject was dropped.  My assessment was that my family - who had come together to enjoy themselves, support one another, and feel the replenishment of togetherness - did not want to risk such a charged topic.  I didn't push it.  I feel a little disappointed in myself that I didn't have the courage and fortitude to press the matter.  At the time, however, I told myself that there would be future opportunities.
      And that's the sad, horrible truth.