During an appearance at the Second Step Presidential Justice Forum at Benedict College in South Carolina, then-Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders faced scrutiny over his response to a question from a black student. The student asked what advice Sanders would give him if pulled over by a police officer.
Sanders’ reply, captured in a viral video, advised the student to politely identify the officer and comply with their requests “so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”
The response ignited a wave of criticism. Some commentators argued that Sanders’ advice implied that victims of police shootings were somehow responsible for their fate, or that Black Americans are inherently disrespectful to law enforcement. One Twitter user sarcastically remarked, “Oooohhhhh, so all those victims of police shootings were… just asking for it… Gotcha” (Jackie Jung). Another user expressed disappointment, stating, “So, Black Americans t naturally disrespectful & not polite? Got it. Oh @BernieSanders . I want to support you, but you are too seasoned generic answers like these towards Black American issues.” (Duane Moody)
However, others defended Sanders, suggesting he was simply offering practical advice to avoid potentially tragic encounters with law enforcement. Some felt he was being realistic about the dangers faced by young black men during police stops. One user tweeted, “I’m not a Bernie supporter but his response was correct. Black folks are talking to their children especially their sons about what to do during a police stop. I’m glad he didn’t sugarcoat his words” (Proud to be me). Another user added, “Yeah I don’t have a problem with Bernie’s answer it’s not a great answer but even I as a black man don’t have a sufficient answer for this question because it’s not really about what I should do it’s more so about what cops shouldn’t do” (BenjaminB).
Heather MacDonald, in her article “There Is No Epidemic of Racist Police Shootings,” challenges the narrative of racially biased police shootings. Her analysis suggests that violent crime rates, rather than the race of the officer, are the primary determinant of police shootings. She argues that if any bias exists after accounting for crime rates, it is against white civilians.
MacDonald further contends that the “policing is racist” discourse is harmful, exacerbating tensions between police and minority communities and hindering proactive policing. She emphasizes that the focus should be on addressing high rates of black-on-black victimization, rather than perpetuating a false narrative of systemic racism within law enforcement.
Sanders’ remarks, and the ensuing debate, highlight the complexities and sensitivities surrounding race, policing, and criminal justice in America. The incident underscores the need for nuanced conversations and data-driven analysis to address these critical issues effectively.
It is important to note that the issue of police brutality is a serious one, and it is important to have open and honest conversations about how to prevent it. It is also important to remember that the vast majority of police officers are good people who are trying to do their jobs to the best of their ability.
Police officers are often put in difficult and dangerous situations, and they must make split-second decisions that can have life-or-death consequences. It is important to give them the benefit of the doubt and to remember that they are human beings who are trying to do their jobs to the best of their ability.