When I was young I hitch-hiked all over the United States. I reached Memphis TN, and, unable to hitch through the city, I was waiting at a bus stop. Suddenly two police cars roared up and screeched to a halt. Out got four huge cops. One of them threw me against the steel upright, bruising the back of my head, forced my arms round the back of the bus stop and handcuffed me, while the others rather obviously fingered their guns.

It turned out that they had been searching for someone with a similar name to mine. But, after questioning me and searching my belongings, they roared away without any form of apology. This was my introduction to what colored people (especially young men) have to endure at regular intervals in America. It is the crude exercise of power, without any danger of repercussions. We are constantly reminded that they cuff people of all ages and genders for no real reason, and we have recently seen colored people being shot dead for “walking while black”. If the police had serious concerns about violence it would be understandable – but usually the “suspects” are peaceable (and are supposed to be innocent unless there is evidence to the contrary).

This, and the militarization of the American police force, is something reasonable American citizen, should stoutly oppose. The police increasingly behave like an occupying force in some parts of the country, and should be curbed. To curb it is not just Epicurean; it is civilized.