Many of you have asked me over the past few weeks what I think of the recent events in Ferguson. Personally I expressed my hopes and frustrations in the STEREOTYPE graphic I posted last week, but here goes my textbook answer to a messed up situation (I appreciate all of your concerns). In a much bigger context, its unfortunate that racially charged incidents continue to happen, which were ALL a part of the problem AND the solution. Unless the Federal / State / Community level drastically alter the ethics (before codes) of law and safety enforcement, the trend will continue regardless of whether its captured on camera. Fear-based rules are not going to work on both sides of the fence. Have you noticed that most times these officers are actually scared of the people, but not scared to shoot? Whats the root of the problem and whos to blame? Obviously there are many factors that contribute to these situations (not just race), but there are also many known remedies, some immediate (such as installing cameras ON the patrolling officers), while others take longer (reconsidering zoning and assignment to avoid unfair profiling etc). In the age of social media, the authorities must be aware by now that the technology stands in favor of the people, who theyre supposed to be protecting in the first place, and by and large they do (lets be fair). The police ought to side with the community and must not become militarized in thought and practice, and they surely need to do a *much* better job of communicating that instead of showing open hostility. Maybe the community can help them do a better job though, because theyre failing at it in dramatic fashion for the whole world to see.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:59:55 +0000
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