Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Do you feel guilty for being white?

I don’t.

But I have learned things in the last two weeks that make me ashamed for not being more aware.

I didn’t create this environment. But I have unwittingly contributed to it, primarily by my acceptance of the status quo.

There is no need for me to flog myself. I was blind and now I see.

But I will do everything in my power to help fix this.

Are you with me?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Mamapolo2016 · F

Yes, I'm with you.

I'm still trying to decide if I was willfully blind or naive.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Mamapolo2016 it’s not a meaningful semantic.

We move forward with clear vision

Mamapolo2016 · F

@JoeyFoxx Here's some things I think should happen.

Steps forward

Here's a list of my own I'm working on

So far I have - proportionate race representation in law enforcement. No, not 'equal opportunity.' Equal representation.

Limited period when two cops are partners

Required to live in the city limits where they serve

Frequent psych testing

Police oversight bodies that are not part of the police department, and include ordinary citizens

Complaints and reprimands reviewed by that separate body

Better pay for cops and discouragement from moonlighting

Body cams for every cop on duty and their vehicles, reviewed frequently (even without a reported incident or complaint) to monitor their interaction with citizens.

Legalize drugs

Financial oversight of some kind to identify graft income

Continuing education on relations with the public and up-to-date procedures.

Meticulous selection and supervision of training officers.

Thoughts? Ideas?

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

🤔@Mamapolo2016

There’s a lot to process here. I’ll get back to you.

Lukeman · M

@Mamapolo2016 Legalize drugs? How did that make the list? It's what turned me off from libertarianism.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Lukeman why are drugs different than alcohol?

Mamapolo2016 · F

@Lukeman The war on drugs is not working. People get drugs anyway. They ship into this country in huge amounts and along the way, a lot of money changes hands to look the other way.

I''m not a drug fan, but we need a different approach.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Mamapolo2016 agreed. Making this a police/enforcement problem only makes things worse.

People who abuse substances typically need help, not jail time.

I’m not a bleeding heart. I get some some folks are their own worst enemies. But this notion of kicking people to the curb and sending them to jails we cannot afford needs to stop.

Now.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Mamapolo2016 Here are my follow ups

[quote]Limited period when two cops are partners[/quote]
Hadn't considered this to be problematic. If there are no complaints about a team, why break them up?

[quote]Required to live in the city limits where they serve[/quote]
I like this. Police should be members of the community they serve.

[quote]Frequent psych testing[/quote]
Well, I would say counseling as a normal thing. Maybe it's the same thing?

[quote]Police oversight bodies that are not part of the police department, and include ordinary citizens[/quote]
This exists in Seattle. I think it's good, but it's relatively new. Its effectiveness isn't known yet.

[quote]Complaints and reprimands reviewed by that separate body[/quote]
Agreed

[quote]Better pay for cops and discouragement from moonlighting[/quote]
Cops need a proper sustainable wage. Camden added more police, but lowered the high end pay. This should be about appropriate pay, depending on what they do. (not all police are the same)

[quote]Body cams for every cop on duty and their vehicles, reviewed frequently (even without a reported incident or complaint) to monitor their interaction with citizens.[/quote]
This is hard and feels Big Brother-ish. The ACLU has requested that Seattle NOT have cameras on all the time, unless there's an interaction. (I can't stand the ACLU honestly).

I don't know how to wrap my head around something for this that makes sense.

[quote]Legalize drugs[/quote]
agreed

[quote]Financial oversight of some kind to identify graft income[/quote]
If we do this for police, we need it for politicians as well.

[quote]Continuing education on relations with the public and up-to-date procedures.[/quote]
agreed

[quote]Meticulous selection and supervision of training officers. [/quote]
To me, this already exists. What we need are zero-tolerance policies for cops that are clearly not cut out for supporting the community.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@JoeyFoxx I would agree about the camera thing except that part of the reason what happened to George Floyd rocked many of us so hard is because what happened was not debatable.

There wasn't another explanation. Superiors and juries don't like to punish police officers if there's an out.

I can't think of another way.

About changing partners - it's easier to break the rules if you know your partner is on board.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Mamapolo2016 I guess. But, we need to start from a place of trust. That’s where accountability starts.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@JoeyFoxx I would like that. Is it possible at this point? Doesn't behavior have to change to establish trust?