I hesitated to watch the shooting and killing of Philando Castile, but I did. I also kept up with the reporting on the testimony of the officer that shot and killed Mr. Castile. Like I have always predicted, the easiest thing to blame a dead person for is drug use. For Black men, its marijuana use. The officer that killed Mr. Castile, and was acquitted of all criminal charges relating to the shooting, testified that he thought the if Mr. Castile had “the audacity to smoke marijuana in front of the five-year-old girl” then, “what care does he [Mr. Castile] give about me?” Really? Someone acting under the color of authority granted to him by Mr. Castile’s government just linked smoking pot, something that has become increasingly legal and beneficial, to a depraved heart that led this government official to have no choice but to execute him? The same officer mentioned something about Mr. Castile’s nose that seemed rather racially insensitive. Stereotypes like these seem common in many police departments and that fact shapes many minorities (that are subject of those negative stereotypes) interactions with law enforcement.
Here is the #commonground:
If we are contemplating war with North Korea over their murder of Otto Warmbier, we should have the same common outrage for what just happened in the trial of Mr. Castile’s shooter. See, Otto stole a banner in a sovereign that is brutal, authoritative, and conniving. Unfortunately, he has paid his life for it. That brutal regime can not go unchallenged. Similarly, Mr. Castile was exercising his constitutional right to “keep and bear arms.” Which brings me to the topic of how a Black man exercising his 2nd amendment right should handle compelled interactions with law enforcement.
First and foremost, like my Law School Professor and Advisor has widely warned: Don’t talk to the police, unless they compel you to give a response. In Mr. Castile’s case, he was pulled over because the officer had cause to believe that his taillights were broken. Mr. Castile, especially with a weapon in the car, had very little choice but to interact with the officer. While the shooter’s partner stood on the other side of the car without even touching his weapon, which could indicate that the shooter’s partner felt no threat from Mr. Castile, Mr. Castile informed the officer that he was armed. Seconds later, he was shot, and soon after, dead.
What we learn from this interaction and result of Mr. Castile’s shooter’s trial, is that if you are a minority, especially a Black male, and you are armed, and the officer becomes aware that you are armed, and your hands are not secure, you are automatically a threat to that officer’s life. Especially, if you have smoked pot in the past. So, here is what should be done upon an interaction with law enforcement when armed and Black.
- If driving, immediately place both of your hands on the steering wheel. If on foot, immediately raise both hands.
- Before talking to the officer, say a quick prayer asking for wisdom.
- Tell the officer that you are placing your hands on the steering wheel (or in the air) as a lifesaving gesture. Inform the officer that you will not use your hands unless instructed to do so.
- Inform the officer that you are legally armed and have the documentation to prove it but will not be able to access it with your hands because you are in fear for your life.
- Ask the officer if he can please call for backup or handcuff you for his safety.
- Allow the officer or back-up officer to retrieve your documents and/or weapon allowing the situation to neutralize.
While we should not have these kinds of steps for only a class of people, it is sad that history, common practices, judicial philosophy, laws, and society has brought us to the point that practical and articulable guidance to survival while armed and Black must be provided.
theamidl.com 