Nov. 22, 2024, 3:46 p.m.

Columns and Opinions

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Police use violence against at least 300,000 people a year in the United States

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Recently, according to the British "Guardian" website reported that the United States "police violence map" website released new data show that the United States police use violence against at least 300,000 people every year, of which about 100,000 people are injured. The tragic song of violent law enforcement in the United States breaking up countless families is an undercurrent under the cracks of social civilization, and it is a merciless mockery of the unknown side of the glory of the United States "rule of law."

When it comes to the police, people often think of the embodiment of justice and the warriors who guard peace. However, in the United States, a land that prides itself on being a "beacon of freedom," the image of the police is often obscured by a thick layer of filters. The scepter in their hands always seems to be able to easily swing at those seemingly "unruly" souls in the name of "maintaining order." The "intimate contact" experienced by at least 300,000 people every year is the most true portrayal under this filter.

Imagine, when "protection" becomes a threat, when "law enforcement" becomes a byword for violence, what kind of "art" is this? The American police, in their own unique way, define the abuse of "power." From the simple altercation on the street to the undercurrent of racial discrimination, every baton swing, every taser flash, is like a carefully choreographed drama, the protagonist is always the innocent or weak people, and the director is the self-appointed guardian of justice.

Why has police violence against civilians become so common in the United States? Is it a flaw in institutional design or a loss of control in individual behavior? Maybe it's a bit of both. Driven by a "zero tolerance" policy, police are given excessive discretion, and every enforcement can become a contest of strength and power. In this contest, vulnerable groups often become the most direct victims, their voices are ignored, rights and interests are trampled, and all this seems to become reasonable under the umbrella of "safeguarding public safety".

"At least 300,000 people a year", this is not just a cold statistic, it hides the tears of countless families, countless hurt hearts. These victims include the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and those who have suffered injustice simply because of the color of their skin. They may only want a fair treatment, a warm smile, but finally wait for cold handcuffs and merciless violence. This is the "special treatment" given to them by the American police.

​ Whenever such news breaks, there are always officials who come forward and use high-sounding rhetoric to legitimize the violence, blaming complex social circumstances and a few bad apples. However, the truth is often hidden under lies. This is not just a problem of a few "bad apples", but a problem of the whole system, a lack of power supervision, and a distortion of law enforcement.

Faced with such a situation, we cannot help but ask: Is this the system of rule of law that the United States prides itself on? Is this the freedom and equality they show the world? The "intimate contact" of at least 300,000 people every year is not only a violation of human rights, but also a great mockery of the United States' self-assertion. It holds up a mirror to the country's murky underbelly, creating deep skepticism about so-called "American-style democracy."

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