Ferguson, MO

[DrPhil]

I don't know whose "fault" it was.

But there are longstanding socioeconomic and racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in what people are taught about law enforcement. People of higher socioeconomic status and particularly whites are less likely to be told what to do when stopped by the police. They are most likely to be taught to trust the police and feel more calm in most police interactions. In contrast, people of lower socioeconomic status and especially racial and ethnic minorities tend to be taught to stay clear of the police and how to behave if confronted by he police. Even many middle and upper class Blacks and Hispanics teach youth in their communities to stay away from police and how to behave if confronted by police.

[honeychile]

I most certainly did not mean to imply that Michael Brown was at fault in his death. I do think that many, many young lives are ruined or lost due to their inability to communicate properly with the police.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I don't know whose "fault" it was.

But there are longstanding socioeconomic and racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in what people are taught about law enforcement. People of higher socioeconomic status and particularly whites are less likely to be told what to do when stopped by the police. They are most likely to be taught to trust the police and feel more calm in most police interactions. In contrast, people of lower socioeconomic status and especially racial and ethnic minorities tend to be taught to stay clear of the police and how to behave if confronted by he police. Even many middle and upper class Blacks and Hispanics teach youth in their communities to stay away from police and how to behave if confronted by police.

And I agree, especially with your last sentence. Everyone, seriously, everyone, who is stopped or otherwise engaged by the police needs to learn early how to not make a bad situation worst.