Kelly Thomas, a mentally-challenged white man was beaten to death by the police. But, because he was white, this did not make the news. Unlike Gardner and Brown, he was not committing a crime and it is all on film on youtube. The cops in this case were acquitted a well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas

Therefore, I know there are “some” bad cops out there but the point is “our” reaction when confronted by the police. This is what we have the “power” to change. We cannot hold “court” in the street. Sometimes it is better to live and “fight” another day.

And the truth is that black people probably more than any other group need the police in their communities. And there are a lot more good ones than bad ones.

The problem with blacks like you is that you basically say that police are justified in breaking the law to enforce the law. This is not how it works. Police officers are NOT above the law, thus cannot break it to enforce it.

So to your point, no, Eric Gardner would not be alive today had he complied with the officers- he’d be alive today if the officers had not used illegal para-military maneuvers to subdue a man for a non-violent offense.

Get real.

The police are supposed to be aggressive and suspicious. They are rolling up on unknown circumstances and situations and they want live and go home just like everyone else. So, if you are not compliant with their instructions or defiant you will lose. If you care about black men, give them the “tools” to make informed decisions when confronted by police instead of appealing to their sense of anger, fear and resentment.

I hope it won’t happen to you, but a day may come when appreciate a certain level of “aggressiveness” by the police when they come to help you in dangerous situation.

Your response smacks of cultural ignorance. I, for one, do not spend my time trying to obtain the approval of the dominant culture. Just leave me alone, allow me to do what is necessary as a citizen…..Oh wait! what should I do when a aggressive law enforcement officer with control issues pull me over at 2:30 in the morning(I’m on my way to work) demanding my destination(I had on a labcoat and card key lankard). I’m sorry you are under the illusion of inclusion, but many African Americans are not deluded.

I have grown tired of writers like this that continue to create a hostile in attitude in the black community that put black men in the mindset that they are in some “war” with the police. For over 50 years as black man, death by the police is not even in my top 10 daily concerns…