“We Need to Stop Making Everything About Race”: ‘Police Beating of Tyre Nichols’ Draws a Plea From Former MMA World Champion

Despite ongoing protests and calls for change, it seems that the problem of police brutality persists. The demise of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, has once again brought to the forefront issue all over again. The police pulled Nichols over on January 7th for alleged reckless driving. He was subsequently pepper sprayed, kicked, and punched by five officers of the Memphis Police Department, all of them also Black. He was hospitalized after the arrest and died three days later from injuries sustained. Numerous well-known people have decried this horrible act and voiced their condemnation. And recently, UFC veteran Jake Shields has added his voice to the clamor by offering his characteristically blunt and honest take.

The officers involved are fired from their jobs and charged with Nichols’ murder. But this horrific occurrence has sparked outrage and demands for justice. In addition, there are fresh calls for reform and a change in how police engage with the public.

Jake Shields calls for “better” change

UFC veteran Jake Shields is taking a stand against police brutality in the wake of the recent incident involving Tyre Nichols. He stresses that the issue is not about race, but is rather a human issue.

The 44-year-old wrote, “I just watched the police beating of Tyre Nichols and it was awful but all 5 officers were black. This shows we need to stop making everything about race and instead focus on better policing. We all want better police regardless of of our race”

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Jake Shields also uploaded a meme later on ridiculing the biased reporting of the media. The UFC veteran took a sly dig at modern media when reflecting on a news story with a headline that brought in the aspect of race in this incident.

Despite his blunt and unapologetic approach, he is making a valid point. Shields stresses that this is not a time for putting blame, but for taking bold and direct action. And this time, for a change, everyone agrees with him.

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Where do you stand in relation to Jake Shields’s perspective on this incident? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.