They wanted to break her. She stands upright, her head unbowed, refusing to bend. She does not beg. She will not plead.
The above photo was taken in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following the police-related death of Alton Sterling in July of 2014.
Six years later law enforcement violence directed at women continues. It has never stopped.
They wanted to break her. She stands upright, her head unbowed, refusing to bend, until the blows target her knees. She does not beg. She will not plead. Her courage and dignity infuriate them. They will try to break her, no matter what it takes. And still she does not cry out as the blows rain down.
This is not the only instance of police rage at women I’ve seen over these days of protest.
This abusive behavior has gone on for years. Google “police grab/beat/throw woman” and pages of images and stories will appear.
Police rage against women should not be a surprise.
...Research suggests that family violence is two to four times higher in the law-enforcement community than in the general population…..
…..As the National Center for Women and Policing noted in a heavily footnoted information sheet, "Two studies have found that at least 40 percent of police officer families experience domestic violence, in contrast to 10 percent of families in the general population. A third study of older and more experienced officers found a rate of 24 percent, indicating that domestic violence is two to four times more common among police families than American families in general." Cops "typically handle cases of police family violence informally, often without an official report, investigation, or even check of the victim's safety," the summary continues. "This 'informal' method is often in direct contradiction to legislative mandates and departmental policies regarding the appropriate response to domestic violence crimes." Finally, "even officers who are found guilty of domestic violence are unlikely to be fired, arrested, or referred for prosecution."…
Our daughters, mothers, sisters, and friends are at risk every day in this country. They are most at risk when they challenge male authority, at home and peacefully marching on the streets.
Their courage must be seen and understood. We must have their backs if justice is to have any meaning.
Law enforcement must be held accountable.
#SayHerName: Black Women And Girls Killed By Police
No justice, no peace.