President Biden Should Reconsider German Shepards At The White House Given Connection With Civil Rights Movement

Perhaps, too literal focus upon events from the history of the United States which are memorialized… 

During the 1950's and 1960's, among the most impactful images from the civil rights movement were of police officers using dogs to intimidate, subdue, harm, and redirect individuals of color.  The breed of choice?  The German Shepard. 

Transition to 2021 and the current occupant of The White House, President and Mrs. Joseph Biden, own two dogs, each the same breed... German Shepard. 

The younger of the two dogs has on two occasions within the grounds of The White House bitten two individuals employed by the United States government.  The second biting incident occurred after the younger dog participated in a multi-day behavioral training after returning to the Biden residence in the State of Delaware.  There has been no reporting as to whether those bitten are individuals of color. 

Here's the optic of concern:  President Biden has positioned himself and his administration as focusing upon individuals of color- more so than the Obama Administration.   

Might not be prudent to remove from view, particularly when connected to The White House, two symbols which for many individuals of color, particularly those directly impacted by the use of dogs by law enforcement during the 1950’s and 1960’s, bring alive again the imagery of moments that while should be remembered, should perhaps not be reinforced by their presence in 2021.  

A parent need not prepare for the question from their child- “Why does the President have the same dog that I see in my U.S. history book was used by police against black men?  That dog bites people just like in the photographs.” 

It's the symbolism.