SAMARA JAY
Thinking back to 16 June 1976, a day when innocent lives were senselessly lost, the heartbreaking image of Hector Pieterson keeps replaying in my mind. We all believed this type of police brutality would cease to exist upon the birth of democracy. However, 26 years later, millions of distressing images like that of Pieterson’s flood the minds of democratic citizens around the world.
It seems ironic that we have been commemorating Youth Day for so many years, yet the injustice the day highlights continues to dominate news headlines. We can no longer overlook the stark reminder this day offers us to subjugate police brutality.
Police brutality is defined as officers who exercise excessive force against a citizen. It’s effectively a civil-rights violation instigated by the very people who are meant to protect those rights. It’s when the protectors of society actually morph into the destroyers of humanity. Statistics show that police brutality often occurs in protest situations and beyond racial lines. While not all police succumb to using brute force, there is an underlying issue in the system that needs to be addressed.
George Floyd, Ahmed Timol, Hastings Ndlovu, Marielle Franco, Antonio Zambrano-Montes, Neil Aggett, Breonna Taylor, and Griffiths Mxenge … These well-known victims represent the catastrophe of police brutality. But what about the thousands of unnamed who die at the helm of their protectors? This week, Daily Maverick reported 11 deaths as a result of policing during lockdown in South Africa. With Youth Day looming, how do we still hold such little value for human life?
As a 16-year-old, Youth Day highlights the fact that youth have great wisdom and courage. It’s a sombre day that reminds South Africans of the injustices of apartheid, but it’s also an inspiring day that celebrates progress and freedom.
Youth Day teaches that it’s essential that our voices be heard to protect human rights, but not at the peril of human life. On this anniversary, let’s listen to the Torah, and speak out about police brutality and inequality because human life is priceless.
- Samara Jay is in Grade 11 at King David High School Linksfield.
