The horrific use of brutal force against George Floyd has sparked widespread outrage, calls for change, and dialogues about many issues that are long overdue. Our country in 2020 finds itself at a crossroad, seeking a path to address many aspects of racial injustice. A focal point of this broader conversation, and the flashpoint for much of the anger and frustration felt by so many in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s death and the deaths of so many others, is how to address the use of excessive force by police officers.

The story of George Floyd is merely one example of a specific failure in this country that has repeated itself far too often. The failure has been ongoing for a long time. But, only in recent years, with the advent of widespread personal and commercial video equipment, has proof of the failure become incontrovertible. And, yes, while the failure can affect people of all hues and backgrounds; primarily, the victims of this failure are people of color.