---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think police brutality has been going…"
description: "\"I think police brutality has been going on since - I don't know - ever since I can remember and, you know, hearing about it in my childhood.\" — Goapele"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg"
---

#  I think police brutality has been going on since - I don't…

![“I think police brutality has been going on since - I don't know - ever since I can remember and, you know, hearing about it in my childhood.” quote by Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg)

> “I think police brutality has been going on since - I don't know - ever since I can remember and, you know, hearing about it in my childhood.”

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker reflects on long‑standing systemic violence against police, recalling childhood awareness.

**In simple terms:** Police violence has deep roots and personal memory.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address systemic issues.

Themes

social justice history memory

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

observational personal

When to use this quote

- community activism
- policy reform
- education
- media coverage

Key Concepts

systemic oppression collective trauma

Questions to Reflect On

- How does personal memory shape perception of systemic issues?
- What actions can address long‑standing violence?

A Different Perspective

The statement may overlook variations across regions and time.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Brutality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutality/) [Childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Police brutality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police-brutality/)

## Related quotes

> [We have all been hearing from childhood of such things as love, peace, charity, equality, and universal brotherhood; but they have become to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-have-all-been-hearing-from-childhood-of-such-things-as-love-peace/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-am-not-unmindful-that-some-of-you-have-come-here-out-of-great/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [When you hear these stories about different cases of police brutality, don't even just make that person just another hashtag, another statistic. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-layne/when-you-hear-these-stories-about-different-cases-of-police-brutality/)

[KiKi Layne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-layne/)

> [It was better walk with dignity than ride in shame. A lot of people in Cincinnati are saying, "Rather than have the continual problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-sharpton/it-was-better-walk-with-dignity-than-ride-in-shame-a-lot-of-people-in/)

[Al Sharpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-sharpton/)

> [I realize I will always be the poster child for police brutality, but I can try to use that as a positive force for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-king/i-realize-i-will-always-be-the-poster-child-for-police-brutality-but/)

[Rodney King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-king/)

> [I partner with Mothers Against Police Brutality - was just a phenomenal group of people and helped me learn so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-carlisle/i-partner-with-mothers-against-police-brutality-was-just-a-phenomenal/)

[Rick Carlisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-carlisle/)

> [Freddie Gray was a story I followed closer than others, for whatever reason, in this larger narrative of police brutality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/freddie-gray-was-a-story-i-followed-closer-than-others-for-whatever/)

[Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/)

> [HATE, even if it's making money. is an underground movie, that's how it was made. It's a film about police brutality in the largest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathieu-kassovitz/hate-even-if-it-s-making-money-is-an-underground-movie-that-s-how-it/)

[Mathieu Kassovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathieu-kassovitz/)

> [Most pastors railing against gay marriage have never cried out on racism, any type of injustice or police brutality. They've never once made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otis-moss-iii/most-pastors-railing-against-gay-marriage-have-never-cried-out-on/)

[Otis Moss III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otis-moss-iii/)

> [I'm sick of watching 'Blue Lives Matter' supporters idly stand by any police officer simply because he wears blue, ignoring the facts that should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seph-lawless/i-m-sick-of-watching-blue-lives-matter-supporters-idly-stand-by-any/)

[Seph Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seph-lawless/)

> [In Crash, you've got a pathological cop who at the end justifies police brutality. He tells the naïve, young cop that you're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/in-crash-you-ve-got-a-pathological-cop-who-at-the-end-justifies/)

[Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/)

> [I dont want any injustice brought against the bullies. Bullies just dont know any better. Anyone who is crying about police brutality or victimization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-pink/i-dont-want-any-injustice-brought-against-the-bullies-bullies-just/)

[Ariel Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-pink/)

> [This is the problem with the United States: there's no leadership. A leader would say, 'Police brutality is an oxymoron. There are no brutal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/this-is-the-problem-with-the-united-states-there-s-no-leadership-a/)

[KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/)

> [It's becoming much more common to see yoga studios offer classes aimed exclusively at people of color who are searching for ways to cope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-wortham/it-s-becoming-much-more-common-to-see-yoga-studios-offer-classes/)

[Jenna Wortham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-wortham/)

> [Black Lives Matter and police brutality are issues that are important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabari-parker/black-lives-matter-and-police-brutality-are-issues-that-are-important/)

[Jabari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabari-parker/)

## More by Goapele

> [Africa doesn't look like it's changed that much to me since I first went in '94. There is still a major economic divide, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/africa-doesn-t-look-like-it-s-changed-that-much-to-me-since-i-first/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [Even if a song has shallow lyrics, there's something that you feel, regardless of what their lyrics are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/even-if-a-song-has-shallow-lyrics-there-s-something-that-you-feel/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [As I get older, my perspective changes, and I just see how relationships aren't always what they appear to be. It's one of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/as-i-get-older-my-perspective-changes-and-i-just-see-how/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [I think it's okay to be vulnerable and ask for support when you need it. It's something more women have to do because it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-think-it-s-okay-to-be-vulnerable-and-ask-for-support-when-you-need/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [When I'm singing, I can see so many people, and I can see their response and everything. And being somewhere like the Hollywood Bowl,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/when-i-m-singing-i-can-see-so-many-people-and-i-can-see-their/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [Sometimes it's isolating, but just being in the music industry that is just dominated by men, I think it means I have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/sometimes-it-s-isolating-but-just-being-in-the-music-industry-that-is/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [Mos is a true artist who has a story to tell and gives back through his music. He remixed my song 'Different' in 2005,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/mos-is-a-true-artist-who-has-a-story-to-tell-and-gives-back-through/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> ['Break of Dawn,' musically, is still soulful and eclectic, but I think I opened up a little bit more vocally. It's a little more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/break-of-dawn-musically-is-still-soulful-and-eclectic-but-i-think-i/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [There were a lot of anti-apartheid rallies and marches and concerts that we would go to as a family. And music was a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/there-were-a-lot-of-anti-apartheid-rallies-and-marches-and-concerts/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [I believe, as artists, I do think we have a responsibility, and there's also a place for a lot of different artists. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-believe-as-artists-i-do-think-we-have-a-responsibility-and-there-s/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [There are a lot of classic Goapele tracks that are obviously me. And I'm also just trying to keep evolving and grow as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/there-are-a-lot-of-classic-goapele-tracks-that-are-obviously-me-and-i/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [Good soul music should make you feel something in your heart, in your body, and in your spirit. That's what I try to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/good-soul-music-should-make-you-feel-something-in-your-heart-in-your/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [Sometimes you just have to let it go, leaving all your fears to burn down. Push them all away so you can move on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/sometimes-you-just-have-to-let-it-go-leaving-all-your-fears-to-burn/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [I want people to feel inspired. I want people to feel good. I want people to feel something. I want people to strive for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-want-people-to-feel-inspired-i-want-people-to-feel-good-i-want/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [I think glass has so many different forms. Sometimes it comes off as something so breakable and fragile, but it's amazingly strong. It starts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-think-glass-has-so-many-different-forms-sometimes-it-comes-off-as/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

[Explore all 62 Goapele quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

## More Brutality quotes

> [All women love semi-rape. They love to be taken.It was his sweet brutality against my bruised body that made his act of love so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-fleming/all-women-love-semi-rape-they-love-to-be-taken-it-was-his-sweet/)

[Ian Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-fleming/)

> [“The hunger for power has made them cruel They shed humanity and shed every rule They bow to the devil, deny what is just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zaki-ansari/the-hunger-for-power-has-made-them-cruel-they-shed-humanity-and-shed/)

[Mohammed Zaki Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-zaki-ansari/)

> [Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his Stormtroopers, they were his enforcers, they were his thugs. And Hitler discovered that he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-fischer/hitler-recruited-around-him-homosexuals-to-make-up-his-stormtroopers/)

[Bryan Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-fischer/)

> [The greatest reward of this constant interrogation, confrontation with the brutality of my country, is that it has freed me from hosts and myths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/the-greatest-reward-of-this-constant-interrogation-confrontation-with/)

[Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/)

> [The African tribesman, with his complete contempt for truth and his emphasis on brutality and savagery for others but not for himself, is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/the-african-tribesman-with-his-complete-contempt-for-truth-and-his/)

[L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/)

> [Never mind a world that can't see past brutality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/never-mind-a-world-that-can-t-see-past-brutality/)

[Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/)

> [I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-am-not-unmindful-that-some-of-you-have-come-here-out-of-great/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [The horse-laugh indicates brutality of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-horse-laugh-indicates-brutality-of-character/)

[Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/)

> [The Negroes of America had taken the President, the press and the pulpit at their word when they spoke in broad terms of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-negroes-of-america-had-taken-the-president-the-press-and-the/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [We need tremendous energy to bring about a psychological change in ourselves as human beings, because we have lived far too long in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/we-need-tremendous-energy-to-bring-about-a-psychological-change-in/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [I see myself capable of arrogance and brutality... That's a fierce thing, to discover within yourself that which you despise the most in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stevens/i-see-myself-capable-of-arrogance-and-brutality-that-s-a-fierce-thing/)

[George Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stevens/)

> [The very opposite of freedom is cliche, and nothing is less free, more inert with convention and hollow brutality, than a row of four-letter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-steiner/the-very-opposite-of-freedom-is-cliche-and-nothing-is-less-free-more/)

[George Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-steiner/)

> [I can tell you countless instances of this country's history of brutality, of inequity, of heartlessness. But if I do that without also talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-moore/i-can-tell-you-countless-instances-of-this-country-s-history-of/)

[Wes Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-moore/)

> [What draws men and women together is stronger than the brutality and tyranny which drive them apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-fawcett/what-draws-men-and-women-together-is-stronger-than-the-brutality-and/)

[Millicent Fawcett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-fawcett/)

> [Whether it comes from a despotic sovereign or an elected president, from a murderous general or a beloved leader, I see power as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/whether-it-comes-from-a-despotic-sovereign-or-an-elected-president/)

[Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/)

[Browse all 427 Brutality quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutality/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think police brutality has been going on since - I don't know - ever since I can remember and, you know, hearing about it in my childhood.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Goapele"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going-on-since-i-don-t-know-ever/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Brutality"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going-on-since-i-don-t-know-ever/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9b/goapele-10957_brutality_i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going_3032280.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think police brutality has been going on since - I don't know - ever since I can remember and, you know…” — Goapele",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Goapele",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think police brutality has been...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going-on-since-i-don-t-know-ever/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-think-police-brutality-has-been-going-on-since-i-don-t-know-ever/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
