Prior to this weekends protests around the United States over the death of Georg Floyd and others persons of color who have died while in custody of police, WMU-Cooley Associate Dean and Professor Tracey Brame, a civil rights expert,  spoke with media outlets in Michigan regarding the use of force, and shared her personal experiences.

While part of a discussion on protests against police use of excessive force on , Brame said, “While laws are in place to protect people from being discriminated against, the law, unfortunately, can’t touch the fundamental problem of the lack of respect that our country still has for people of color, and like George Floyd, are automatically seen as dangerous criminals to be subdued.

During an interview with Brame said while changes to the law have occurred in the past, it’s going to take a nationwide, systemic and cultural change to prevent things like this from continuing to happen.

“I think the law has done what it’s can to put people of color on equal footing, legally, and to hopefully enforce the rights of every American citizen.

But one thing that the law can’t do and that we have to do as citizens is to really address the heart and mind issues.