Podcast Episode Summary: Still My Baby – "The Untold Story: Travon Unravels the Racist Roots of Excited Delirium"

Introduction

In the compelling episode titled "The Untold Story: Travon Unravels the Racist Roots of Excited Delirium," Lemonada Media and Campaign Zero delve deep into the contentious term "excited delirium." This episode unpacks the origins, misuse, and racial implications of the term, illustrating how it has been employed to justify excessive police force and obscure systemic racism in law enforcement practices. Through personal stories, expert insights, and historical context, the episode reveals the dangerous impact of pseudoscientific terminology on marginalized communities.

Personal Story: Richard Burns and His Brother Pat

The episode begins with the tragic story of Pat Burns, whose death under police custody was attributed to excited delirium. Richard Burns, Pat's brother, shares his harrowing experience:

Richard Burns [07:23]: "They were saying excited delirium. This guy, this... Your brother had excited delirium."

Pat's encounter with law enforcement illustrates the lethal consequences of misapplying excited delirium. On a cold January night in 2010, Pat, suffering from bipolar disorder and under the influence of cocaine, left his home in an agitated state. Misinterpreting his distress, police officers used excessive force, including discharging Tasers 21 times and hogtying him face down. Pat did not survive the encounter, and the county coroner attributed his death to excited delirium, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

Defining Excited Delirium and Its Misuse

Dr. Joy Carter, a board-certified forensic pathologist, provides a critical analysis of excited delirium:

Dr. Joy Carter [09:37]: "So excited delirium is first of all a pseudoscientific concept that originated in the 1980s in the forensic pathology literature."

Excited delirium is characterized by symptoms such as extreme agitation, superhuman strength, and lack of pain perception. However, it lacks scientific validity and is often used to justify the use of excessive force by police. The term disproportionately affects Black men, obscuring the underlying issues of systemic racism and police brutality.

Historical Roots and Evolution of Excited Delirium

The term's origins trace back to the 1980s amidst the war on drugs. Dr. Charles Wetley documented cases in Miami where individuals, primarily Black men, died after ingesting cocaine. Wetley’s reports included sensational and racist language, describing victims with "superhuman strength" and "imperviousness to pain."

Dr. Joy Carter recounts how during her fellowship in Miami, she encountered cases that initially were labeled as excited delirium but later reclassified:

Dr. Joy Carter [30:05]: "And so these cases were rerolled as homicides..."

This reclassification revealed that the deaths were not due to any inherent medical condition but resulted from violent interactions with law enforcement, highlighting the term’s misuse to mask systemic issues.

The Role of Taser in Promoting Excited Delirium

Taser, now known as Axon Enterprise, played a significant role in propagating the term. A married couple, former medical examiner and forensic nurse, authored a book titled Excited Delirium Syndrome, which Taser distributed extensively:

Dr. Joy Carter [32:27]: "I couldn't believe it. The next thing I know is it's really in use in Texas."

Taser’s promotion of excited delirium served to legitimize the use of Tasers by law enforcement, presenting the device as a necessary tool to manage individuals presumed to be suffering from this pseudoscientific condition. When Dr. Carter questioned their assertions, Taser responded defensively, threatening legal action against forensic pathologists who contradicted their stance.

Case Study: Angelo Quinto and Family Activism

The episode highlights the story of Angelo Quinto, a young Filipino immigrant who died after a fatal police encounter, with his death also attributed to excited delirium. Angelo’s family challenged the official narrative, uncovering inconsistencies such as the absence of methamphetamine in his system despite claims of his combative behavior. Their activism led to legislative changes:

Robert Quinto [46:23]: "We helped State Assembly Member Mike Gibson pass AB490, a law that bans restraints known to lead to positional asphyxia in California."

Despite passing significant laws, Angelo’s family faced setbacks when the Contra Costa District Attorney opted not to press charges against the officers involved. Nonetheless, their efforts inspired broader movements to abolish the term and advocate for accountability.

Policy Changes and the Movement to Eliminate Excited Delirium

In response to growing awareness and activism, some police departments have begun eliminating the use of excited delirium in their policies. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Department became the first to remove the term from its manuals:

Patrick Caceres [48:35]: "It doesn't really add anything substantive to the police reports or police work."

This policy shift marks a significant step towards dismantling the pseudoscientific justification for excessive force. Experts like Dr. Osagi Obasogi emphasize the need for systemic change:

Dr. Osagi Obasogi [25:06]: "We really need to address the history of those narratives and equip both medical professionals and folks in law enforcement to understand, detect, and disabuse themselves of those ideas."

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode concludes by urging listeners to take action against the misuse of excited delirium. It highlights the importance of educating coroners and medical examiners to use scientifically valid terminology and discouraging law enforcement from relying on discredited concepts. Listeners are encouraged to support legislative efforts and join movements advocating for justice and accountability.

Trayvon Free [50:14]: "Removing this term from our medical and legal establishments will hopefully lead to fewer deaths and greater accountability."

The episode underscores that combating systemic racism requires vigilance and collective effort to eliminate harmful pseudoscientific practices that perpetuate injustice.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Richard Burns [07:23]: "They were saying excited delirium. This guy, this... Your brother had excited delirium."

• Dr. Joy Carter [09:37]: "So excited delirium is first of all a pseudoscientific concept that originated in the 1980s in the forensic pathology literature."

• Dr. Osagi Obasogi [12:36]: "Simply put, the whole concept is based on pseudoscience."

• Dr. Joy Carter [32:27]: "I couldn't believe it. The next thing I know is it's really in use in Texas."

• Robert Quinto [46:23]: "We helped State Assembly Member Mike Gibson pass AB490, a law that bans restraints known to lead to positional asphyxia in California."

• Dr. Osagi Obasogi [25:06]: "We really need to address the history of those narratives and equip both medical professionals and folks in law enforcement to understand, detect, and disabuse themselves of those ideas."

Key Takeaways

1. Excited Delirium as Pseudoscience: The term lacks scientific validity and is used to justify excessive police force, disproportionately affecting people of color.

2. Racist Origins: Originating during the war on drugs, the term was embedded with racist stereotypes that dehumanize Black and brown individuals.

3. Corporate Influence: Companies like Taser have actively promoted excited delirium to legitimize their use of Tasers, undermining medical and legal integrity.

4. Personal Tragedies Highlight Systemic Flaws: Stories of individuals like Pat Burns and Angelo Quinto exemplify the lethal consequences of misapplying excited delirium.

5. Movement for Change: Activism by affected families and progressive police departments is crucial in eliminating harmful terminology and practices.

6. Call for Systemic Reform: Ensuring that coroners and medical examiners use accurate, scientifically backed terminology is essential for accountability and justice.

Final Thoughts

"The Untold Story: Travon Unravels the Racist Roots of Excited Delirium" serves as a powerful exposé on how pseudoscientific terms can perpetuate systemic racism and police brutality. By intertwining personal narratives with expert analysis and historical context, the episode calls for critical examination and reform of entrenched practices that threaten the lives and dignity of marginalized communities.