I was stunned by Carey Cossaboom’s letter, “Don’t Run,” published Feb. 6, obviously aimed at Tyre Nichols, a Black man beaten to death by a host of Memphis policemen.
Mr. Nichols could have lain where three men in street clothes dragged him from his car and commenced to beat him, Tase him and scream epithets at him. He could have lain there, though none of the men offered a reason for the traffic stop. He could have lain there even though he was never asked to get out of the car but instead summarily forced from his car onto the pavement. Yes, it is true he could have lain there and not run. Then the “police” wouldn’t even have to chase him to beat him to death!
The alternative? Run for it. Given that three men already were beating on him and a Black man down on pavement logically must believe worse is coming, plus the knowledge that his mother’s home was very near, it is entirely logical to me that Mr. Nichols tried to run away. He probably knew that George Floyd didn’t make a run for it, and look what happened to him.
Stay safe in American cities by simply lying there, while “police” senselessly beat you to death? Really?
— Chuck Ray
Anchorage
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