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.
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