Thread by @BryanDeanWright

You asked about racial violence between cops and people of color.

Fundamentally, you're asking if #BLM is right.

Let's start a conversation about what we know - and what we don't - about police, bias, and the killing of our fellow citizens. (1/14)

https://twitter.com/EnglishwithTodd/status/1014575702706974721

Most of us would agree that a single death of an innocent person by a police officer is one too many.

Black or white.

Police departments agree. They have training & oversight to ensure shootings don't happen or officers are punished when an unjustifiable killing occurs.

#BLM argues that, regardless, the system isn't working; cops are still targeting black people w/ violence or avoiding punishment when caught.

It's a belief founded in America's very real & ugly history.

A brief review of that shameful past is here: wapo.st/2NqtYLD

Yet a focus on the crimes of yesterday only gets us so far as we work to prevent the deaths of our neighbors today.

That requires unbiased data to help us understand the severity of the problem.

Incredibly, the govt doesn't collect it. A few in academia & the media have tried.

.@washingtonpost data show about 1,000 people are killed annually. The majority are white, have mental problems, & brandish a weapon.

Yet, on a percentage basis, more black people are killed than white.

WaPo's conclusion: we have a racist cop problem. (wapo.st/2tZkBuh)

A Harvard study, however, came to a different conclusion.

It found a degree of police bias against communities of color but not when it comes to shootings.

In other words, police aggression is real but there's no evidence of a killer cop crisis. (nyti.ms/2j2bqEK)

Whether you prefer WaPo's study or Harvard's, this much is clear:

Most people killed by cops had weapons. Most were suffering from a mental breakdown.

That's a recipe for disaster, no matter the race of the victim.

This nuance has been missing from the #BLM debate.

Meanwhile, we often forget that the number of people killed by police annually is 1,000. In a country of 325 million.

While that ratio is very small, it is of no consolation for the families of the dead. Even one killing is one too many.

But is it grounds for riots?

No matter your response, #BLM is right to demand that the issues be acknowledged & addressed.

Police departments are trying.

For instance, there's a renewed emphasis on community policing. When it's properly funded, the approach works

Here's an example: bit.ly/2KAUPGR

Yet the issue of racial bias isn't just about police. It's about all of us.

Our brains are hardwired to default to stereotypes. These snap judgements are designed to keep us safe but easily lead to biased thinking.

A quick read on this issue here: dailym.ai/2fuJCbI

Some #Progressives argue that bias is largely the problem of white folks & their privilege.

But is that fair?

Consider this story of a black man finding himself biased against other black men.

It's a sobering reminder of how bias works within everyone: bit.ly/2u7skFF

To be clear, #BLM is about more than police violence. The group has a list of demands, some of which are much needed and reasonable. (bit.ly/2aIgQAK)

For example, criminal sentencing reform.

Other demands, however, are alarming.

Like reparations & #AbolishICE.

I offer these reflections with great humility, knowing neither they nor I can capture the thicket of issues surrounding race, police, & justice. Our nation has been struggling with this for over 200 years.

But it's important to talk to each other. To listen. To act. To learn.

And what we've learned is that most cops use their power wisely & bravely. Indeed, over 100 died last year doing so.

Yet there are horrifying exceptions & a culture of bias.

So let's collect better data, improve LE training, & remain vigilant for abuse.

We're in this together.