June 8, 2015

Texas Pool Party Violence

At a Texas public swimming pool, a physical altercation began when a white patron made racial comments about a young black woman, telling her to return to her "Section 8 housing" and eventually slapping her in the face. When police arrived (in the midst of confusion), numerous black teenage poolgoers were soon forced to the ground and a police officer drew his handgun. The officer later resigned when a video surfaced of him unnecessarily restraining a 15-year-old black girl in a bathing suit by forcing her into the ground.

HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO STRUCTURAL RACISM?:

As evident in the video of this event, the police officer singled out African American teenagers, and used excessive force. This is expressive of a history of police policies that have disproportionately targeted and criminalized African Americans.

For more see, " Texas Pool Party Chaos " .