“Cop killing is a deadly virus for society”

Violent extremism is a virus in the mould of HIV, writes Gerald Nwokocha, 28, a Correspondent from Abuja, Nigeria. HIV quietly and slowly attacks the human defense system, which protects humans from attacks by invading pathogens. In the same way, he argues, to attack the police is to be a virus that can lead to weakened ability to counter problems.

In the world today, there have been concerted efforts towards curbing violent extremism. Racism is one of the circumstances that aggravate violent extremism. Racism is fuelled when one feels she or he is not treated the same way as another. It is also fuelled when one creates inequality between two individuals or groups of people.

Regardless of the nonsensical killing of blacks by white police officers in US, there is no justification to shoot policemen, as happened in Dallas and Louisiana. The police are like your immune system – they are defenders against deadly criminals.

It is suicidal to kill police officers, and the idiocy of the thinking behind such attacks was demonstrated in Baton Rouge Louisiana on July 17^th when a heartless murderer purportedly set out to target officers. News reports of the incident say the shooter ignored civilians but purposefully sought out officers as targets. One of his victims was a black police officer, Montrell Jackson.

How can you kill a cop to defend black lives? Does that make sense?

You can bet that every policeman in the US is jittery and scared. They wear uniforms and would-be criminals know them, but they don’t know who else wants to shoot them next. Every black man is now assumed a potential cop killer because of the actions of two black men.

Responding to emergencies is now very dangerous, and police officers now have to prepare and mobilise in numbers before they can respond to 911 calls, especially in black neighbourhoods. The consequences include that genuine help seekers whose lives depend on speedy emergency response are going to suffer before police respond.

When the defense system is attacked by those it should protect, only “pathogens” like armed robbers, rapists, and kidnappers benefit.

Those supporting what they described as “fighting back” need to sit down and think of the repercussion. Are you ready to die because of the rash actions of another?

Emotionalism is not the way to go. Revenge against cops is an emotional response that puts blacks on the wrong side. The futility of a violent emotional response is underlined when we consider that one shooter was shot dead without being given the chance to surrender, and the other was killed with a robot bomb. It was recorded as the first time a US security agency used a robot to kill a suspect.

Make no mistake about this: I see killer policemen as equally unfit to wear the uniform. There is no justification to kill unjustly those you were hired to protect. In most countries of the world, some police officers have a preconceived idea of blacks and it is inaccurate. Such security men need training in all cultures.

You can’t claim to love America without loving Americans. Americans come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Black Americans are Americans; they equally pay taxes to sustain the state and the police.

For the black community in US, it is time to educate your children. Send them to school. Black brains are not inferior to white brains; the difference is education. Teach your children to learn to be respectful to law enforcement agents and stop assuming threatening postures or abusing officers.

To reduce further occurrence of those sad situations, America and other developed countries need to reconsider their gun control laws. Some people are angry and when guns are in the hands of angry men, anything can happen.

Bottom line, whether white or black: don’t be a racist. Accept the fact that your black or white brothers and sisters grew up with a completely different reality and set of experiences, which you could not possibly comprehend. It’s up to the individuals, no matter their own colour to stand in love, harmony, respect for each other and not division. Then we would have a better world, free from violent extremism.

Whether black, white, red, yellow or pink every human bleeds red. We need more positive stories where people of different colours united to do things together.

Racial relations across the world need urgent mending. People should stand up against racism resulting in violent extremism, so that the “HIV” will not turn to full blown “AIDS”. 

Reach me at nwokochagerald@gmail.com

Photo credit: FBI? via photopin (license)
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About me: I’m an apostle of positive change who possesses leadership acumen and intellectual values. My work in investigative journalism and community service has helped to improve human condition.

I am the principal author of “The Metamorphoses of Nigeria”. Via the book, I interviewed Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

I am a game-changer with a track record of excellence, and passion about teamwork and Africa. I live in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/

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