Race has long been described as the “third rail” of American politics. The term “third rail” draws upon an analogy to three-track, electric-powered trains. With such tracks, the third rail does not guide the train’s wheels. The third rail carries the high-voltage power that propels the train. The electrical charge when improperly touched can be deadly, and the third rail is dangerous. In our 22 April 2022 news post, A Montage of Lawlessness and Violence, we referenced the longstanding adage, “knowledge is power.” We also made reference to a key observation from Thomas Jefferson, “ignorance is weakness.” With the observation, ignorance of course is not intended as a rhetorical slam, but in the true definition of the word: Having a “lack of knowledge.” The lack of knowledge makes us weaker. In 2017, Professor John Lott, initially an economist and now a noted firearms use and public safety researcher, published a key study enhancing knowledge relative to the use of force by police. The Lott study, “Do White Police Officers Unfairly Target Black Suspects,” was co-authored by Carlisle Moody. Together, they grabbed firmly onto the “third rail” of the continuing and highly-charged discussion involving the use of deadly force by the police. [Click the link below to read more.]
