The Racism Continues

"North Miami Beach Police Use Mugshots Of African Americans For Target Practice"
By: Michael McLaughlin
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/15/north-miami-beach-target-practice_n_6482964.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Racially heartless officers in South Florida have been caught using six mug shots of actual African American suspects for target practice. One Florida National Guard sergeant arrived at the shooting range and recognized one of the six bullet-riddled photos as her fifteen year old brother. Major Kathy Katerman said that the department has several lineups for target practice and “some feature only white men, others are all Latino and one features photos of only women” (McLaughlin, 1).  She attempts to justify the racially inappropriate target practice by saying that the public thinks they should be targeting evenly, as in one woman one man and one black, but she goes on to claim that this is not what the test is about. Major Katerman declares that the North Miami Beach Police “have targets of all races” (McLaughlin, 1). In Katerman’s eyes, this is a fair justification and it seems to make it acceptable to use six African American suspects’ mug shots for target practice. Police Chief Scott Dennis told NBC South Florida that “officers used poor judgment. No one would be punished, however” (McLaughlin, 1).  This indescribable episode was reminiscent of a similar occurrence in 2013, in which a Florida police sergeant was fired for using targets of Trayvon Martin for shooting practice.

No matter how much North Miami Beach Police try to deny that their activities are racist and justify their actions, it is not acceptable. Racism still exists in our world today despite all the awareness being raised and equality laws being passed. Consequences should be administered to these policemen; actions like these should never be justified. It is important that individuals read articles about incidences such as this one because they need to realize that the progressions and improvements that have been made to this day are not enough. It is crucial that individuals take action and raise awareness about issues and incidences like this because the world needs more corrections.