Black people are surrounded by historical images of those that have killed, enslaved, and terrorized us to maintain white supremacy. One genocidal white supremacist that’s usually universally condemned is Nazi leader Adolph Hitler – but one police force seems to feel differently.
The Kentucky State Police force was using training materials that inspirationally referenced Adolph Hitler.
High school students in a journalism program obtained the materials through an open records request and reported it. What this reveals is atrocious.
One presentation slide quotes Hitler calling for “perpetually constant and regular employment of violence,” and another quotes him saying to “meet violence with greater violence.” He’s quoted three times – but so is another genocidal white supremacist we know.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee is also quoted, though he’s a more acceptable white supremacist to some.
This isn’t abnormal. Correctional cadets in West Virginia were recently exposed for giving the Nazi salute in a photo. This blatant racism among police calls for more than reform.
Anti-bias training that many officers despise, and have no measure of success, don’t undo racist indoctrination. There’s also evidence white supremacists become cops BECAUSE they’re racist!
Policing is rooted in white supremacy. Racism is the rule, not the exception.