I hesitate to comment on this topic because it does not need my publicity, and the entire point of this Dialectic Window is to get people talking about what they are missing or may not understand, not about what is on every news station in the nation. The death of Mr. Floyd has put a spotlight on American racism and the other numerous deaths in the last century that have occurred as a result. However, there exists an immediate problem that is obfuscated by the larger, more long term, concerns. It would be naïve to assume that racism will just magically disappear on its own, which is why non-violent protests are necessary. However, the people who are racist aren’t going to change because 10 million of the “inherently lesser” people they hate are marching or holding signs nationwide. Racism will eventually die out, but it will take decades and generations as well as recognition that there are problems inherent in our system and strong concentrated efforts to remedy them. That doesn’t mean stop marching or protesting. It is important to continue with these efforts, but also realize they do not fix the now problem.
In my opinion, the “now” problem that we can fix is innocents being killed by police, and police training being broad enough to permit it. Police often need to make split-second decisions, but our system too often treats lethal force as the default outcome rather than the absolute last resort. I understand the arguments against what I am saying, that not shooting to kill endangers the lives of police officers, but I would encourage you to examine this issue from another perspective: Current police training allows an individual to use what they have learned as an excuse to commit murder. That alone should be cause to re-evaluate training expectations and policy. I’m not claiming “this time” or “last time” or any specific instance, but we cannot deny that it has occurred previously. People who do this aren’t brothers to the police; they aren’t misunderstood; they do not deserve your protection or pity. They are as wrong as a former sniper gunning down civilians. They are individuals, trained and sworn to protect, who have chosen to use the trust they were given to commit murder; to turn their weapon against people they were sworn to protect, and then allow every other “brother”, every police officer in the nation, to share the blame. If you think for a minute that they aren’t thinking that way, then what else do you call the thought, “the police will take my side” or “they have to believe me” or “they’ll protect me because I’m one of them”?
Officers, the problem is not limited to racism. It goes deeper than that. The problem is somewhere in the training, expectations, or process of selecting candidates and creating public servants, there exists an insidious combination that permits, that tempts, even, that creates, traitors to your purpose.
I am not offering a single solution, nor claiming expertise in law enforcement. I am pointing out that the current system permits abuse, and any system that permits it must change. So, here are my final thoughts to any and all police officers reading this: I have the utmost respect for the men and women who choose to serve their communities with their true and whole hearts, and it is to you, the majority, that I am appealing. The current system of selecting and training has the capacity to create good men and women worthy of the badge and trust for which it stands. It also is actively creating traitors who will not hesitate to use you as their shield. This system must adapt. Only you can accomplish this; so please, don’t just fix it for us, fix it for you.