the well-earned distrust African Americans have of police

[GoodTaste]

From the expression "the well-earned distrust African Americans have of police", can you see who earn distrust from whom? It sounds two ways to me.

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Rolfe could have mistaken the Taser that Brooks aimed at him as he fled for a handgun, Ture conceded, although he pointed out this one was yellow and probably easy to recognize. Plus, Ture noted the officers had patted down Brooks after he stepped out of the car before taking and failing a sobriety test.


Part of what led to this tragic conclusion is the well-earned distrust African Americans have of police, who tend to treat Blacks and Latinos as especially dangerous, Ture said. The interactions captured on video between Brooks and the officers were cordial until they tried to handcuff him.

Source: USAToday
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...ul/3189478001/

 

[jutfrank]

African Americans distrust police. It's only one way.

 

[GoodTaste]

What does "well-earned" mean there? It sounds as if that it is earned by going through many hardships. I am not sure.

 

[SoothingDave]

The police have "earned" the distrust by their history of abuses.