The Herald did a fine job of balanced reporting regarding the lawsuit by Sharon Wilson, an African American, against the sheriff’s department (“County to pay $75K for tackle, arrest of Black nursing assistant,” The Herald, Oct. 30).
Do we really live in a society where jaywalking is an offense where police feel it’s appropriate to detain the offenders and request ID to look for possible warrants? It’s jaywalking, the very least enforced law violation there is, perhaps.
I’ve been stopped by this same department going well over twice the speed limit and I got a warning. I doubt anyone needs to wonder what race I am. I don’t feel that police are stupid, though being one requires not nearly enough education. I feel they exhibit, like most people, implicit bias which in the real world translates to racism.
I ask what it was about Wilson that inspired the officer to wonder if she had any warrants for her arrest. And why those that hold so much power over our lives are so resistant and defensive to learning self awareness in this matter.
Rick Walker
Snohomish
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