That was the analysis of a Chicago activist/police officer summing up the debate raging across the country around the increase in police brutality cases.

On the one hand, people say trigger-happy and arrogant police who don’t care about the citizens they are paid to serve and protect are at fault. Others say the police are the ultimate authority and it’s the behavior of the people that is the problem.

Both views are food for thought. Since city, state and federal authorities have been very slow and very reluctant to bring abusive cops to justice—even helping to cover-up wrongdoing—some men and women in blue walk with a swagger like gunfighters in the old west itching for a fight that they know they can’t lose.

Meanwhile, the senseless violence we tolerate from one another in the Black community makes some from outside our community have little or no respect for our lives and property.

Add to the above realities the reality of racism and there is no wonder why cops don’t feel they must respect the Blacks that society continues to stereotype through its negative media images.