Two More Black Men, Keith Lamont Scott and Terence Crutcher, Were Killed By Police. This Is What You Need to Know and What You Can Do About It

September 20: Keith Lamont Scott, a 43-year-old black man, was fatally shot by police at an apartment complex in Charlotte, North Carolina. Scott leaves behind a wife and seven children. 

September 16: Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old father of four, a music student, and a churchgoer was unarmed when he was shot and killed by Tulsa, Oklahoma police officers. Scott and Crutcher are the 194th and 195th black men (out of the 214 black people) killed by police in America in 2016.

What Happened

On Friday, September 16, Crutcher's car stalled in the middle of the road, and Tulsa police arrived to investigate the situation. In a video of the following moments, Crutcher appears to be cooperating with the police, walking towards his car with his hands up. Despite Crutcher's cooperation, the officer suddenly opens fire, killing Crutcher. You can read more about the incident here.

Then on Tuesday, September 20, officers in Charlotte, North Carolina were looking for a suspect with an outstanding warrant when they saw Scott — who wasn't the suspect — exit his car. Officers shot and killed Scott shortly after. Details of this story are still emerging.

The Bigger Picture

Scott and Crutcher's deaths are not isolated incidents, but rather the latest tragedy highlighting police's disproportionate violence towards black men. In Tulsa, for example, black men accounted for 36% of people killed by police, despite making up just 8% of the population.

In July, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile made national headlines when the men were killed by police on consecutive days. According to Castile's girlfriend, Castile was reaching for his driver's license when police opened fire. Sterling appeared to be flat on his back, immobilized by officers, when the police fatally shot him.

The chilling statistics shed more light on the problem of police violence against black Americans. Although force is used in less than 2% of all police-civilian interactions, it is used 3.6 times more often against African Americans than white people and 2.5 times more often against blacks than the general population. Furthermore, black teens were 21 times as likely as white teens to be shot and killed by police between 2010 and 2012.  

Police brutality is rooted in a myriad of systemic issues, such as militarized policing, lack of diverse police departments, minimal consequences for police misconduct, and discriminatory profiling. However, the most pervasive issue leading to the disproportionate number of black people shot and killed by police is institutionalized racism. While tackling these issues feels intimidating, there are things you can learn, ways you can support those around you, and ways you can advocate for justice right now.  

Immediate Action

The Quickest Way to Take Action

Sign this petition from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that calls on Congress to pass the Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act of 2016. This bill, according to the ACLU, "would require officers to use non-lethal and de-escalation tactics and use the lowest level of force possible — the safest means — to deal with an identified threat." This would be a huge step in preventing violence during situations involving police.

How to Push for Justice in Tulsa

Visit Campaign Zero: Tulsa, which provides resources on ending police violence in Tulsa, demanding policy change from local officials, and standing up for justice for Terence Crutcher. You can also attend a protest for justice on September 20 at 6:00 PM at Tulsa's Civic Center Plaza.

How to Help End Police Violence in Your Community and Around the Country

Campaign Zero is the leading organization taking on police violence. They provide immediate ways to make an impact on a local and a national level. You can also seek out your local organization addressing police accountability and racial justice.

How to Learn More About Police Use of Force Policies

Campaign Zero has worked with legal experts, advocates, and academics to identify eight major policies that can establish meaningful restrictions on police use of force against civilians. You can read about these eight policies here. Learn more about how current police use of force policies fail to include limits on police use of force here.

Self-Care

Crisis hotlines and other resources to start the healing process.

[Note: If you need someone to talk to immediately, text our friends at Crisis Text Line, a free, anonymous text-based crisis hotline. Text HELLO to 741–741.]

Maybe you're feeling horrified. Devastated. Outraged. Or confused. Whatever your thoughts and emotions, one of the best things you can do right now is practice self-care. There are people who love you and people who want to support you. Here are some ways to help you grieve and cope.

Helpful Resources

If you identify as a part of the black community, it's normal for you to feel especially angry, sad, or fearful after this act of violence. Remember to practice self-care and surround yourself with communities that are here to support you. The resources below can help:  

Check out these Digital Self Care Tips for Black People Coping with Trauma, which include:

1) Take a break: unplug from the potentially triggering social media world.

2) Turn the autoplay video feature off on your social media pages.

3) Ignore ANY and ALL trolls.

4) Know that it's not your responsibility to explain and educate your trauma to the people around you.

5) Don't be hard on yourself —  you're not the only person who finds it difficult to express your anger and fear to the people around you.

6) Know your rights: what you need to do if you are stopped or detained for taking photos.

6 Simple Coping Strategies

Here are six research-backed ways that can help you process a tragedy:

1) Be honest (and kind!) with yourself about your needs. If you're sad, let yourself be sad.

2) People are there to help — connect with people who you've identified as your empathetic and open supporters. Process your feelings with them.

3) Try writing for yourself. Take 20 minutes to journal and explore your feelings.

4) Prioritize sleep, hydration, and breathing. Try one of these guided meditation exercises.

5) Take a warm shower or bath. It can help you relax and take your mind off of what's happening.

6) Processing your feelings isn't one-size-fits-all. Know that your needs are unique to you so give yourself the healing space and time you need.

Be an Ally to the Black Community

Constantly bearing witness to trauma inflicted on their communities can take a massive psychological toll on your black friends and family members. Hold yourself accountable, as an ally, to support friends and family in ways that are most helpful to them. Use some of the resources below as a guide:

Helpful Resources

Read How to be a white ally: Fighting racism is your responsibility - start now, which includes tips on how to:

Have difficult conversations with people you care about — and with ones you don't.

Check yourself constantly: Refrain from centering yourself in a movement that deserves your support but is not about you and about which you are not an authority.

Show up (without steamrolling) at protests or rallies.

If you are a non-black POC, consider How To Be A Real Ally To Black Lives Matter by, for example, remembering that anti-blackness transcends ethnicity and no one is immune to inherent or implicit racism.

6 Simple Ways to Help Someone Who Might Be Struggling

1) Let them know it's okay to be sad and confused.

2) Just listen if they need to talk...

3) ...but if they don't want to talk, don't make them.

4) Don't offer solutions to their problems. Sometimes people just want to be heard.

5) Be understanding. Sometimes people do and say things they don't mean when they're hurt. That doesn't excuse them for their actions, but should help you understand where they're coming from.

6) Don't take on too much. If helping your friend becomes too much, take care of yourself first. You need to be able to help yourself before you help other people.

[Are you in crisis and need someone to talk to you right now? Crisis Text Line is a free, anonymous text based crisis hotline. Text HELLO to 741–741.]

Want to take action now? that calls on Congress to pass the Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act of 2016.