Dear Editor,
I heard the candidates discuss “The Talk” during the Presidential debate. Vice President Biden took the opportunity to discuss his belief in systemic racism and to explain that his crime bills in the 1980s and 1990s, supported by the majority of the Congressional Black Caucus, had been a mistake. Whether or not those bills were a mistake or not as a matter of public policy doesn’t address whether or not parents should have “the Talk” with their kids.
Of course every parent should review how their children must behave if they are involved in a traffic stop or other interaction with law enforcement. Everyone who is stopped by law enforcement or given an order by a law enforcement order must be taught to follow the order. The law enforcement official is doing a job. If you treat them with respect and follow their commands, it is very unlikely that you will be a victim of police brutality. Every parent, of whatever race must teach children this. If you teach them something else you are not helping your children. In fact, if they don’t drivers education courses need to teach students how to react if in a traffic stop. We teach officers, but respect must go both ways.
If the officer is wrong, you can defend yourself in court. You can also file a written complaint with his employer and/or file a civil rights lawsuit.
Best,
Mike Thompson Sr.
El Paso Texas