So, a friend recently said,

[marynjoe]

"If you're a thug and run from the cops, you deserve for them to beat your ass. That's what you get."

I was like,

[UMaineTeach]

I'd expect to be tackled and maybe turned over in an irritated gruff manner - but not beaten, punched, or kicked after I submit.

[secretlyevil]

Did you reply with; "if you're a morAn, you deserve to be hit upside the head, regularly?"

[pescalita]

Please tell me this was not about Trayvon Martin.

[alleycat]

What's her definition of thug? I'm definitely not a thug but my first instinct when I see a cop is to run. I don't run, of course, but I want to. I think it's because the police in my country are especially brutal.

[alleycat]

May 17, 2012 13:26:44 GMT -5 pescalita said:

Please tell me this was not about Trayvon Martin.

How can it be? Zimmerman wasn't a cop or Trayvon a thug

[marynjoe]

No, it was what you see on TV about once a year. Guy runs from cops, cops kick his ass, someone videotapes it, community is up in arms.

I'm sorry, but once you're down on the ground, they have NO reason for a punching and kicking pile on.

[ttt]

It's probably different today in the age of camera phones, but I know that back in DH's day, it was well-known that if you ran from the cops, you were getting an ass-kicking if they caught you. It was just The Way Things Are.

[iammalcolmx]

It's still that way today. My cousins who are currently officers say running = ass whupping. Don't run from the cops.

[marynjoe]

It still happens, but it shouldn't.

[chichimi]

What makes you a thug? Would I be safe to run from the cops?
Do you still consider her a friend?

[bugandbibs]

Whenever a police car pulls up next to us, we jokingly say "everyone act natural".

But part of me is serious.

[pescalita]

May 17, 2012 13:27:28 GMT -5 alleycat said:

May 17, 2012 13:26:44 GMT -5 pescalita said:

Please tell me this was not about Trayvon Martin.

How can it be? Zimmerman wasn't a cop or Trayvon a thug

Yeah, that's why I'm glad it's not

[gpw]

May 17, 2012 13:41:32 GMT -5 ttt said:

It's probably different today in the age of camera phones, but I know that back in DH's day, it was well-known that if you ran from the cops, you were getting an ass-kicking if they caught you. It was just The Way Things Are.

I, uhhhh, wouldn't say it's different.

Don't run from the cops. Just.Don't. You make it worse for everyone. That goes for anyone...just don't run.