Rhetoric Race and Religion
The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting that Dr. Marcia Bowden and her husband, Ira Marche have filed suit against the city of Southaven, Mississippi and Officers Sgt. Brett Loganzino and Jeremy Delaney. The suit claims that the officers violated the couple’s civil rights during a traffic stop last year. They both are asking for one million dollars in damages.
I wrote about the incident that happened on September 7, 2015 under the title Dear Black People: “Our Respectability Will Not Save Us!”: When Police and Respectability Collide.” After detailing the horror and helplessness felt by both Dr. Bowden and Mr. Marche, I concluded the post by talking about a frustrated agency.
However, some black folks will read this and yes express grief and shock, but also many will become discouraged. For many of us, this is discouraging because it is what I have called before a frustrated agency—that no matter who you are, no matter what you drive, no matter where you live, no matter how much you support police; no matter your profession, no matter who you know and who know you, no matter what resources you have, no matter how you act, our respectability will not save us! I know it is a hard thing to accept; it is hard to process at times. Matter of fact, it makes you wanna holla. And while it does not stop us from achieving and being the best that we can become, it is a sobering reminder that if we put trust in our degrees, accomplishments, statuses, relationships our location and position in life, one day it could all come crumbling down with one traffic stop.
I also wrote a follow up piece on Being Black and Dealing With the Trauma of #PoliceBrutality that centered on the trauma and stress experienced by the couple; especially Dr. Bowden. I quoted the Student National Medical Association that argues we should treat police brutality as a medical issue. In their Police Brutality Position Statement, they write:
Damage caused by police brutality goes beyond the physical. Psychological trauma faced by victim(s) manifests itself in many ways, such as stress, anxiety, fear, paranoia, distrust, insomnia, anorexia, and depression. Such psychological symptoms can further be manifested as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Psychological stress often consumes many facets of victims’ lives, adversely affecting job performance, ability to sustain employment, and everyday interactions with family and associates. Moreover, the families of fatally injured victims often suffer many of the same psychological tolls. Police brutality must be recognized, investigated, and acted upon as a serious health concern because of its obvious deleterious effects on individuals, their families and communities.
However, unlike many victims of police brutality Dr. Bowden and Mr. Marche did not just go away. They did not just share this incident with family and friends. They did not just stay quiet nor did they internalize the problem as something they did that warranted this treatment. Since they had the means and the ability, they decided to fight back. They decided to stand up for themselves, but they also decided to stand for all of those who cannot stand. For all of those who are not believed. For all of those who suffered in silence and lived with the trauma of the dehumanization by people hired to serve and protect. By filing this lawsuit, the couple wanted to bring this out in the open and remind anyone who will listen that you are only one traffic stop away from your life changing forever. We here at R3 will keep you posted.
Andre E. Johnson is the Founder and Managing Editor of R3
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