I watched a really tragic news report today on CNN about a Polish man who was killed with a Taser in the
This incident is another example of the language barriers that we discussed in The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. After flying for the first time, Robert was extremely stressed out and frightened. Though the police say that viewers of the video only see the situation through one side of the lens, I think Robert’s actions such as picking up the stool was not an act of aggressiveness but a way of defending himself. When he smashes the computer, the action is more of an outlet for his frustration than a threat to seriously harm anyone. Without any knowledge of English, he is unable to communicate what he wants and neither can he understand what the police want him to do. When I saw Robert I also saw Nao Kao. His situation instantly reminded me of how Nao Kao responded when he misinterpreted the doctors’ diagnosis of Lia’s death as them going to kill her. Nao Kao also retaliated with aggressive actions such as pushing the nurse, yet the doctors understood his behavior stemmed from his frustration of his daughter’s condition.
This is a really unfortunate event that could have been avoided if the police had listened to whoever wisely suggested that they needed a translator. Besides the lack of communication, our previous reading “Toxic Bodies” has made me wonder whether the treatment David received from the police is due to belief David was an impurity to
Here is the link to watch the video:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/15/taser.death/index.html?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCVideo
1 comment:
I was extremely angered by the clip in which Robert Dziekanski was tasered to death by police officers. Robert was obviously under great stress and had never flown on an airplane before. In addition, Robert knew no English and was unable to communicate or understand officials. I believe the police were too quick with their actions and should have better assessed the situation. One clearly hears a person notify the police that Robert doesn't understand English. Robert is also obviously distressed and simply protecting himself. However, numerous police quickly surrounded him and tasered Robert twice. Could the police not have first detained him, they could easily have taken him down, and brought over a translator to calm Robert down?
While I understand the extreme security measures that have been established since 9/11, I can't help but notice the numerous incidences in which officials have reacted too quickly or not accurately, leading to the death of innocent people.
For example, the situation in which Carol Gotbaum, a depressed wife and mother who was traveling via plane to Arizona to seek medical help, was arrested and eventually committed suicide. Gotbaum clearly let officials know that she was a depressed woman and under a great deal of stress. However, police, instead of carefully helping the mentally sick woman, arrested Gotbaum because she was creating a large scene and left her in a holding cell unsupervised. While in the cell, Gotbaum used her extra long handcuff chains to strangle herself.
It angers me that officials in both Gotbaum and Dziekanski's cases were so quick to make judgements and carry out fatal actions. While I understand the urgency for security to settle a problem, in order to ensure safety for all, I believe police are too quick to judge. In both cases, the victims were under great stress and needed help. Neither was a threat to bystanders. I believe officials need to slow down, better assess a situation, and then take action.
Post a Comment