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RACISM + ABLEISM
Why Black Deaf People Face Added Danger in Police Encounters
An essay about the impact of racism and ableism in policing
Police officers expect citizens to comply with verbal orders. Yet, this protocol is problematic when applied to those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment. Take, for instance, the events leading up to the arrest of Tyron McAlpin, a 34-year-old Black deaf man with cerebral palsy last August. Employees at Circle K called the Phoenix Police Department because Derek Stevens, a 33-year-old White man, caused a disturbance. However, when police officers arrived, they didn’t arrest him for trespassing. Stevens claimed a Black man assaulted him. According to the police report, he pointed at Tyron, who was walking some distance away on Indian School Road. As they approached, one officer gave a “loud verbal order,” shouting, “Hey buddy, stop where you’re at.” Of course, Tyron could not hear and thus respond to his command.
Bodycam footage revealed that police officers repeatedly punched and tased Tyron shortly after confronting him. Despite lending an empathetic ear to the White man, officers failed to provide the Black man the same opportunity to respond to accusations. Circle K employees called the police because of a disturbance caused by a White man. And yet, a Black…
