Racism
“Americans live in a culture of fear”
After two Blacks were shot by police officers, followed by exchange of fire during a Protest on police officers in Dallas. If a dialogue is set, then the heavy consequences, a political scientist Scott Lucas says.
DW: If we look at the current events in Dallas. How can the escalate in such a society in today’s times in such a way ?
Scott Lucas: In the USA, this contradiction prevailed. On the one hand, it is a economically and militarily strong country, and has – despite many mistakes – is also a really good political System. But at the same time, Americans live in a culture of fear. It is a very frightened country and have been for decades. I live in the Cold war, but also in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11. September 2001. People are afraid of deprivation, and before that, what do people do then. Are you afraid of drugs and crime.
The movement “Black Lives Matter” has become established after in Ferguson of the African-American student Michael Brown was shot and killed by a white police officer.
Scott Lucas: Dialog is needed
The movement takes care of very important issues. It is not just a police force or alleged police violence, it is also about the economic Situation, a lack of labour in certain regions, and income inequality. There is the risk that this movement is viewed as a threat to the entire police. But if that happens, then you exclude the possibility of a Dialogue and it creates a conflict.
We have a former Deputy in the Congress, Joe Walsh, who now writes on Twitter, there’s a war. When politicians take advantage of the Situation and as a way of expression to choose, such as, for example, Donald Trump, will soon lead to an Erosion of society. In fact, actually, even more than Erosion. I would never use the term “threat”, because that would only contribute to this use of language, but I would speak of a serious Problem in American politics.
At the moment the estimates and stories to go in the social media completely messed up. Everyone sees themselves as victims of harassment. How dangerous is what’s rocking currently is ?
Social media can all reinforce because you are talking about in the circle of his allies and strengthened can criticize the opponent. Social media are also much faster than traditional media, so as a result, the debate accelerated. There has already been efforts to overcome the blame game. And, ironically, has allowed the Dallas police Department demonstrations, in order to talk openly about everything. But this tragedy could still have something else, even if that’s still the case: It might happen, that counter-demonstrators or demonstrations are generally banned.
The police and the demonstrators are quick to say, “We are the victims”. But, if we fall into this trap, and all the talk to listen to, then we are overlooking the fact that there are fundamental efforts of this type of communication, and blame, to get away.
A connection between the firearms culture, and the militarization of the police is, in your opinion?
This is a question we ask in years. My assessment is this: Until we create it, with the freely available weapons in America, deal with it, until we have the main causes of violence in the grip, will have to eat the lack of control of firearms in our society. If we do not rely on dialogue and conflict increase, then this will have serious consequences.
Scott Lucas is a political scientist with a focus on American politics at the University of Birmingham. He comes from Alabama.
The interview was conducted by Mark Hallam