I'm all for reforms in policing that will end abuses and brutal treatment at the hands of Officers of the Law. Also, against racism.
Here's the deal. It is one thing to end racism in organizations and public services. That's doable. And, with all the voices calling for justice we should be able to up our game in terms of laws and policies that can stem institutional or systemic racism.
It's another, however, to end racism in the hearts and minds of those who have been taught to prejudice from an early age. Maybe, and probably, not even taught so directly or even intentionally. But, don't you know the children pick up on the attitudes of significant adults at a preverbal level. In other words, just because you never spoke ill or used that dreaded N-word, if you harbor prejudice the kids will likely follow in your footsteps. We learn a whole lot by following the examples around us.
As for the Police ... You may have heard that the liberal progressive chant is now not just calling for an end to police brutality, but going all to way to so-called defunding and even disbanding of the Police. Great idea if you have something workable to replace that system. I don't have a clue on how to do that. We'll see what the better minds come up with.
My take on this dismantling of the Police apparatus is that it is really a political play.
Those who espouse defunding/eliminating Police probably pretty well know that it ain't gonna happen. They do, however, know they'll make points with liberal and progressive voters for taking that position. It works like this. We not only call for Police reform, we call for dismantling the Police presence entirely. That's an attractive idea, theoretically. Peace on Earth too. Those that oppose such a radical sea change in how state and local governments operate to uphold the rule of law are the bad guys. Don't vote for them. Simple as that.
Kind of like that progressive idea floated not that long ago — it still might be a thing, just waiting in the wings for an opportune time to resurface — to pay reparations to Black folks for the injustices of the past, as in slavery. I for one don't get that, though others have made strenuous arguments. Yet, again, my take is that it ain't gonna happen and that it's all about scoring political points.
Just to button it up on this let's-get-rid-of-Police thing. Imagine that there is a popular outcry against rape. A comparable solution would be to cut off all penises. Or, prostitution. Let's sew up all those woo-hahs nice and tight. "No coozie, no floozie." Do both and you end sexism. Win, win.
Obesity. Simple. Just shoot fat people. Maybe the same solution for ageism. After all, they're not productive. A waste of space.
My analogies are purposely broad. But, kind of sort of not too far from the thinking that goes into dismantling Policing. They also reflect an opinion based on thin information about the issue itself. Read on ...
THIS JUST IN: Investigating the defund/dismantle the Police issue we learn that it's not about tossing the baby out with the bathwater. It's about stopping over-reliance on law enforcement. That is, calling the cops to arrest someone who has overdosed, passed a counterfeit bill, roust the homeless, resolve verbal squabbles, arrest children for bad behavior.
Oh. That makes sense. Now, just who you gonna call? There's Ghostbusters, we all know when to do that. But, seriously, for the other stuff it would be nice to know there's a helping hand. [Read full article on the subject.]
If you want to get into the subject in depth and thorough. CLICK.
https://medium.com/@micahherskind/resource-guide-prisons-policing-and-punishment-effb5e0f6620
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