Media Hype Over Police Beating Is Just That...Hype

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Media Hype Over Police Beating Is Just That...Hype
by Dave Gibson, Columnist

July 17, 2002

Dave Gibson The recent case in Inglewood, California, of a police officer striking a young black suspect is simply the latest fare to be served up by a mainstream press which is becoming more tabloid-like everyday. In two weeks they will have moved onto something else. Will it be something else to make good cops look bad, or just something to point the finger at white people in general? Perhaps, they will be able to destroy another police officer's career.

In recent years with the advent of the camcorder, we have seen many suspects treated "roughly" by the officers whose job it is to apprehend these creeps. However, the tape always seems to begin after the officers have gained the upper hand. The wannabe news cameramen never capture the events leading up to the arrest, never do they immortalize the young thug pummeling the police officer. No, we are only allowed to see this poor, innocent, church-going young man thrown about by these "racist" cops.

This officer is about to become the latest sacrificial lamb in a ritual that is becoming all too familiar in this country. We have seen the mayor of Inglewood jump on the "racist cop" bandwagon, rather than back up his own officer. Another tough, pro-active officer will be relieved of duty and that city will become a little less safe as a result.

The family of this fine, upstanding young man filed a lawsuit two days after this event took place. But of course, we are told...."it's not about the money". Anyone who has ever filed a lawsuit (myself included) can tell you....it is all about the money! However, this seems to be a growing trend. A few years ago here in Hampton Roads, Va., a young girl was killed at a local Wal-Mart, after she had been left unattended in the furniture department and a bookcase she was climbing fell upon her. The parents left the hospital moments after she was pronounced dead, then headed straight back to the Wal-Mart where they held a press conference, announcing their plans to file a lawsuit.

This has become a familiar pattern in this country, not only in the case of "rough" arrests but anytime people experience tragedy. What happened to personal responsibility? Where were the parents of that little girl when she was climbing on the bookcases? Why isn't the family of that young hooligan in Inglewood angry with him for evading the police, then attacking an officer (how did he get that gash on the side of his head?)?

Now we have the joke of Capitol Hill.....Maxine Waters, taking up this cause. She has proclaimed police brutality brought upon blacks to be a national tragedy. We never hear her talk about the tragic fact that young black males commit an inordinate amount of crime in this country, Nor do we hear the esteemed Ms. Waters lament the sad fact that the same people who put her into office are killing each other at an alarming rate. Of course not, that's not what they want to hear.

The fact of the matter is, police officers must at times use force, unfortunately even deadly force. People who have no respect for the law simply do not understand anything but brute force. Had their parents perhaps, done a better job raising them, tthen hey would never end up face-down on the trunk of a police cruiser. ***

Photo of Dave Gibson courtesy of staff files