Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a Black U.S. service member, was fatally shot by a Florida deputy in his apartment, reigniting a national debate about police violence and systemic racism. This tragic event echoes the pervasive fears articulated by Kaleth O. Wright, the former top enlisted leader of the Air Force, who publicly shared his dread about potential racially motivated killings back in 2020, following the death of George Floyd.
Wright, voicing his anguish, stated, “I doubt if that police officer knew or cared that Roger was an airman. What he saw was a young, Black male.” His words paint a stark picture of the racial prejudice that many believe underpins the American criminal justice system.
Despite the heightened scrutiny of racial issues within the Air Force, spurred by Floyd’s death, Wright laments that the changes have not been sufficient. The continued occurrence of these shootings raises the question: will anything truly change?
The officer’s identity and race remain undisclosed by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the investigation into Fortson’s death is ongoing. At a recent meeting between Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden and Air Force Special Operations Command, no consensus was reached on whether race played a role in the incident. However, Sabu Williams, president of the local NAACP branch, underscored a perceived bias, stating, “From my perspective, we feel we don’t get the benefit of the doubt. It seems to be a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ kind of thing.”
Private databases, including those by The Washington Post and Campaign Zero, indicate that fatal police encounters have risen annually since Floyd’s murder. Furthermore, these databases show that while more white individuals are killed in total, Black individuals are disproportionately affected, accounting for roughly a quarter of the deaths, despite comprising only 12% of the population.
The sheriff’s office has expressed support for additional de-escalation and unconscious bias training, highlighting a commitment to “do what is right.” Nonetheless, Michael P. Heiskell, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, emphasizes that the deputy’s race is irrelevant when considering the potential for unconscious bias.
The Okaloosa County NAACP is currently drafting legislation named after Fortson. This proposed bill mandates police officers to utilize de-escalation techniques when confronted with individuals holding firearms in non-threatening positions. Body camera footage revealed that Fortson was holding a gun with the barrel pointed to the floor when he was fatally shot by the deputy without any apparent attempt at de-escalation.
MaCharie Dunbar, a board member of the Black Veterans Project, contemplates whether Fortson’s fate would have been different had he been in his uniform, highlighting a grim reality for Black Americans irrespective of their achievements or status.
The Fortson shooting unfolds against a backdrop of increased military attention to racial disparities, with internal reviews revealing significant inequality in promotion opportunities and disciplinary actions. Unfortunately, efforts to address these disparities face backlash, with some labeling them as pandering to “woke” culture.
Wright calls for a more profound understanding among Air Force commanders of the daily racial struggles faced by Black service members. He stresses the need for empathetic listening, rather than the hollow reassurances or the ingrained “talk” Black Americans receive on handling police encounters.
As the nation grapples with this latest instance of violence, the grief of Fortson’s mother, burying her young son, resonates profoundly with Wright, who sees his own children in the face of such tragedies. The search for viable solutions continues, with the shared goal of preventing future incidents and fostering a more equitable society for all.
Relevant articles:
– Florida Deputy’s Killing of Black Airman Renews Debate on Police Killings and Race, Military, 05/17/2024
– Florida deputy’s killing of Black airman renews debate on police killings and race, The Associated Press, 05/16/2024
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