Violence against people of color has been in the news a lot. Police are using too much force against them. This is even worse for people of color with disabilities.
This fall, police killed Keith Lamont Scott. He had a brain injury. Charles Kinsey helped people with disabilities. He was taking care of a patient with autism. He was also shot. More than half of people hurt by police have a disability. This should cause us to worry.
We do not know enough about disabilities. People in charge do not either. This puts people at great risk to be hurt by people in charge.
People in charge should:
- Know how to spot disabilities
- Not jump to conclusions
- Know that many disabilities cannot be seen
- See their own racial biases
Every human has the right to feel safe. They should feel safe within their own skin. No matter what it looks like. No matter who is inside.
References:
Chokshi, N. (2016, October 17). Keith Lamont Scott was killed by two gunshot wounds, family autopsy finds. Retrieved October 17, 2016 from The New York Times
Harrell, E. (2014, February 25). Crime Against Persons With Disabilities, 2009–2012 – Statistical Tables. Retrieved October 28, 2016, from, Bureau of Justice Statistics
Neyfakh, L. (2016, July 21). Charles Kinsey did everything he possibly could not to be shot by police. Retrieved October 28, 2016, from Slate