Cops Class Race: 1% Society

AUSTIN- A student stormed out of a debate on the University of Texas

campus on Wednesday after a crowd discussing police brutality and
extreme racism objected to his statements.
Tempers flared at the panel hosted by the International Socialist
Organization, a society committed to voicing struggles for justice and
freedom.
The panel was the first student-led event held at the university to
discuss the shooting of unarmed men and women such as Ferguson,
Missouri. teenager Michael Brown, killed in August by a white officer.
Lucien Villasenor, a ISO panelist, said that police brutality has existed
throughout the history of the United States, the big problem being
when they utilize inappropriate force against minorities.
Racism is one of the most vicious ways to keep us in check,
Villasenor said. We must have a radical reconstruction of our society
if we want to abolish class relations.
Some students nodded as Villasenor said it would be naive to think law
is equally enforced across race and class.
Dew Douglass, an audience member and African American student,
had a different view which he shared during a fiery question and
answer session following Villasenors speech.
We do commit more crime though, I dont think its a matter of race or
racism, Douglass said, shouting. There is more crime in lower class
and colored individuals.
Douglass statements caused uproar amongst the students,
particularly among African American individuals. Douglass left the
event shortly after.
Kolby Duhan, a Veterinary student and race activist, opposed the
treatment of Douglass and said that the ISOs behavior was uncalled
for.
Yes, his views were ignorant and misinformed, Duhan posted on the
ISO Facebook page after the event. However, that was an incredible
opportunity to enlighten and educate him to the institutionalized
racism that permeates our justice system as opposed to divisively
casting him off.

Villasenor also stressed the history of the Austin Police Department,

noting the shooting of unarmed black male Larry Jackson. Former
Austin police detective Charles Kleinert is facing manslaughter charges
in the shooting.
Daniel Thompson, an African American police officer who has served in
Austin and now serves in Britain, disagrees with the idea that the
police force is unjust and brutal.
We work very hard to provide the highest standard of service,
Thompson said. There are only rare occasions when police would have
to take immediate enforcement action.
He said his experience on the police force has been positive and
departments around the world are working on solutions to address
these problems.
There are, of course, rules of discipline which are reviewed by boards
to ferret out poor decisions, Thompson said.
Villasenor concluded the event by promoting rallies he said would
honor the fight Jacksons family is pursuing.
Jacksons sister, LaKiza Jackson, told the Austin Chronicle in January
that the detective that shot her brother should be disciplined.
Kleinert needs to be in prison [to set an example that] black and
brown people should not have to fight for their lives every time they
walk out the door, she told the Chronicle.
The panelists called for immediate collaborative change to alter the
way laws are enforced. They said they hope to reduce police brutality
before it disrupts society further.