“They’re using the law to enforce something else: a particular social order that is, to them, worth fighting for.”Where were the benevolent cops when Torgalski and McCabe shoved Gugino? Scores of police were marching alongside the two “bad apples”; all of them chose to follow their orders instead of immediately helping an elderly man as he lay on the sidewalk and bled from his ears.
after they were arraigned by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office? Where were the good guys halting any of the point-blank pepper-sprayings or unnecessary beatings?Police have exhaustively demonstrated that they will kill someone for a minor or nonexistent offense, retaliate against anyone who finds it outrageous, and not hold one of their own accountable because of the societally damaging concept of “the thin blue line.
Most sports leagues are on hiatus because of covid-19, which means there might not be a more appropriate moment for sports to reexamine its automatic reverence for law enforcement. It does not need to be a default pairing.After Floyd’s death, plenty of pro teams released statements about listening, having honest conversations and taking on the necessary work ahead. Getting rid of Law Enforcement Appreciation Nights would be an easy way to show that they mean it.
Maybe the way to effect change within these teams is to go through the people who actually make fans care about sports: the players. Last week, a number of NFL players collaborated on a video after they were dissatisfied with the league’s tepid statement on Floyd. DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr.