Different Wavelengths

The biggest problem between the two 'sides' of the debate--

over excess force and corruptness of cops-- seems to be a

combination of different perspectives and a communication barrier.

On the one hand, you have those who only have the apple pie

version of Mayberry policing, feeling safe in the fact that 

if they need help they can call 9-1-1 and be well-cared for. These are people who, either by chance or by station,  have not experienced any bad policing in their lifetime.

As a result of this, they therefore assume that this is the

commonplace experience for other law-abiding citizens.

When people of color, or the elderly, or women, or gay men,

or disabled folks who are fortunate enough to survive an 

unprovoked attack by a deranged cop speak out about it,

apologists for the police make the assumption that the 

individual must have been doing something wrong,

because their experience shows that the police are good guys.

It's not just the prejudicial matter of myopic world view and 

self-importance that brings this about; we are conditioned 

from childhood to believe in the inherent goodness of

police and that they are honest men and women not to

be questioned. This is how they build a culture of 

submissiveness, regardless of their incorrect action.

To go against these deeply ingrained beliefs, no matter the

counter-evidence presented, is truly difficult for the

average mind. Overcoming that training is a process.

As for the communication barrier:

Black Lives Matter says "Stop Corrupt Cops"

That's a simple enough request.

The response however is akin to "OH my goodness,

how could someone disrespect the police? All the hard work and sacrifice they do? That's un-American!"

Well, first off, that isn't at all what was said. But hyperbole

and generalization are the first PR responses to 

discredit an 'enemy' in a situation like this. Those 

who oppose Black Lives Matter and other groups calling out

 dangerous cops would like to discredit the protesters by hanging a lot of false accusations on them. 

And a gullible public who--remember:

will always believe what a cop tells them--will quickly rush

to authority's defense.

The fight is against the cops who are committing murder.

The fight is against unnecessary aggression and brutality.

The fight is against corruption, cover-ups, and lack of

accountability.

The fight is over racial profiling and bias in police work.

The fight is over incompetency and lack of checks and balances.

If a cop is good, then he/she will have nothing to worry about.

But if we can't even get people to accept and admit that

there is any level of problem existing, then the poor 

back-and-forth communication will continue, and

progress will remain at a standstill.

*********

Double Standard

Yeah, dumbass--

Call the cops.

Cuz shit isn't 

 escalated 

nearly enough

already!

***

Naw, They're not that bad!

When we were growing up, the idea implanted in

our wee brains was that 'police officers were our friends.'

We were to turn to them without hesitation if we needed

something, they were trustworthy, they were our friends.

A bigger crock of shit was never cooked.

What do the police do in my neighborhood to 

make us safe? 

*They harass people for being in a parked car

using a cel phone.

*They intimidate people who are standing on the 

street talking and having a cigarette.

*They stop vehicles and demand to know who you

are and what you're out doing, sans probable cause.

*They harass you for walking down the very street

you live on.

*They stare you down and give you nasty looks 

when they pass.

*They make excuses to NOT come help stranded

motorists.

*They tell you to call a tow service if you lock

your keys out of your car.

*The cops sit and stare at you from their cruiser, and 

follow you around at slow speeds.

*When you call for help, they don't show up.

BUT, here's a list of things the cops WILL do for you!

*They will take your pay-off if you are a drug dealer.

*They will intimidate the neighbors who call to report

drug dealings and activity.

*They will take sides in a dispute based on their

prejudices and personal contacts.

*They will act as judge, jury, and executioner.

*They will threaten and  treat you poorly because

it serves their Ego to do so.

*They will trump up charges so they can make an arrest

and make their quota.

*They will overlook the law-breaking of their fellow

officers, friends, and family.

*They will assume the worst and not listen

to reason or truth.

Did I miss anything?

****

Why is THIS message so hard to understand?

There couldn't be a simpler, more direct

message in all of the incredibly frightening 

and disgusting murders of unarmed

civilians in recent years.

(Make no mistake: Cops murdering

innocents has been going on since their

inception, but we have visibility and 

awareness on our side now.)

But even with the act of raising hands high

to show surrender--and a lack of a 

weapon to even threaten with-- cops continue to 

be undeterred in their murder spree.

Time after time, with no remorse, we see cops

gunning down innocents and unarmed suspects

who are complying. With extreme force, with no

attempt at arrest, with great antagonism.

So we can safely say that there is no confusion

about the message of the issue. Cops have 

doubled down on the idea that they hold the

authority and power over us, and feel they can act 

however they want.

And of course that is certainly the message sent 

down by prosecutors, grand juries, judges,

and investigators. There is not even the pretense

of justice or punishment or accountability for

cops who murder civilians.

So maybe the people who need to change are us.

No more compliance. No more hands up.

No more passivity.

No more victimization.

And certainly, no more being without a 

weapon when walking the streets, so long

as the dangers of law enforcement lurk.

******

Being Visible

People often act as though I have no business even having

an opinion regarding police corruption. Of course, often those 

are the militant pro-cop individuals who attend church, think

conservatively, eat their veggies, clean their plate, and do

'everything' they're told. And, most unremarkable, they tend 

to be white-skinned folks. 

But we'll get into indoctrination and privilege another time!

Why am I so involved and concerned? Well, in part, it's because

I'm an activist and I care about injustice and corruption and lies

wherever they occur. Having a system in place that wrongfully

destroys people's lives on a whim is a pretty serious matter that

I think should have everyone upset and involved.

But beyond that, it's personal.

I have experienced first-hand over the past 35 years,

an inordinate amount of harm from law enforcement individuals.

I don't mean that in the course of breaking a law someone hurt my 

feelings, so jump that dismissive assault. I'm talking about being

harassed, intimidated, threatened, coerced, assaulted, falsely

arrested, and much more at the hands of law enforcement who 

were simply criminal thugs not interested in doing the job they 

signed up to do.

It's only natural that at least a small amount of the population 

of cops would turn out to be 'bad apples.' But this is far deeper 

than that. Much more than just a few 'isolated incidents,' as if \

the incidents apologists always refer to as 'isolated' makes them 

less despicable.

I'll be sharing my multitude of personal stories here, in order 

to illustrate the variance and depth of the problem. Let's just say

I'm lucky to be alive. And right now, in my small town I'm 

living in, I am very much at fear for my well-being and life

due to the outrageous corruption and deviancy of local

law enforcement and their dislike of me.

Yes, I have reasons for my deep distaste and distrust, although

I would hope that all of us would be concerned about the current state 

of things for no other reason than love of neighbor and country.

*****

When it becomes necessary to support the obvious

Having to defend an attitude that is distinctly

anti-CORRUPT cop feels a little like having to

defend myself against massive air polluters or

anti-child rapists. It's absurd that one should have to 

take such a stand on clear matters of injustice and 

human horrors. 

But, this is evidently the insane world we live in these days.

So, unapologetic, clear, fearful, I will take 

my stand against those in power who are unfit to

hold power. There are far too many. Their crimes are far

too heinous. Their power seems far too unstoppable.

But courage starts with a single, simple act, often without 

a clear plan or a clear answer. Sometimes you just have to stop

thinking about solutions and take action. Together, maybe

we can find a way to win.

*********