The red, civil defense/peace symbol has been placed within the confines of a stylized James Bond gun barrel–and for good reason. It seems almost every other time I take in the news, there’s another killing of an African American due to the excessive force used in police take-downs. And usually it’s over some simple auto infraction like a non-working tail light. Admittedly, there are stops when a broken auto light leads to the discovery of an outstanding arrest warrant meriting immediate compliance, but that can’t be the majority of the cases.

If I were black, I’d be gun shy too. I certainly would question whether or not it’s safer to stay in my car than exit on police command. I realize every situation is different, but police enforcement is for the protection of our citizens and all our US citizens, regardless of color especially, are to be treated fairly and equally.

Why does keeping the peace require so much lethal violence to do so? And by those who are sworn to uphold the law but so often resort to ignoring our civil rights in doing so?