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Commissioner Richard Ross of the Philadelphia, PA Police Department gives a statement on the incident that occurred 4-12-18 at the Starbucks at 18th and Spruce Streets.
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This video is trash, the same trash as the over-policing of black bodies. It doesn’t matter if a black person calmly explains this trash… cuz it’s still trash and it’s stinking.
If you can’t de-escalate the “problem” of two black men sitting in Starbucks then stop what you’re doing and get someone with the skills to do so. I’ve personally witnessed white people verbally abusing Starbucks employees and get free drinks for their efforts.
This is STILL about the systemic ways we normalize the abuse of black people. It’s always going to be an “isolated incident” or the actions of a “rogue employee” and there will always be someone to tell us a “good cop” story to make sure we don’t question why this never stops happening. The victims will always be blamed and dehumanized.
I have previously said I don’t know what direct action should happen at this point.
- Boycott Starbucks nationally?
- Boycott just that store?
- Investigate the officers involved?
- Continue challenging the way policing works in this country?
- All of the above?
I do know if it’s worth our effort to continue calling out and dismantling the systems that maintain a culture of abuse.
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More related, here on GMP:
Why Two Black Men Were Arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks
What to Do When You’re a Low-Key Racist and Want to Change
To the White Anti-Racists Who are Nervous About Stepping Up Against Racism
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Video credit: Philadelphia Police via Facebook