Hijacking the truth.
When the truth is hijacked.
Ask yourself this really tough question. Have you now or ever thought that the police kill on purpose?
Or that police kill wantonly.
As a retired Detective from the largest and best police force in the world, New York City, I can swear that neither of those questions should be answered in the affirmative.
Police Officers have a very dangerous job. They patrol neighborhoods to make sure the citizens are safe from any evildoers, ne’er do wells or thugs. They patrol business streets to assure that commerce is conducted without fear of robbery, theft or interference. They answer the call when accidents and mayhem happen. They breathe air into unresponsive bodies until the EMTs arrive. They are shoulder to shoulder with all manner of first responders not because they are paid to, but because they are brave, fearless and self-sacrificing.
These men and women live in apartments in the inner city, in houses in the suburbs and farms in the country, just like everyone else. They go to church, shop in the local markets, raise their kids as best as they know how, just like everyone else. They pay their bills, try to save some for the future, send their children to school and hopefully someday to college, pretty much like everyone else.
They don’t participate in pagan rituals, dark satanic spells or voodoo.
But now they are being labeled across the board as killers and racists. As diabolic and the root of the problem. The departments are accused of systemic racism meaning that they are exercising their job with bias, discrimination, and disrespect.
Let’s put some perspective to this. The number of white unarmed men killed by police is double that of black males suffering the same fate. Black males make up 6% of the population and commit 44% of the violent crime. Statistically black males are involved in confrontation with the police approximately half the time. Logic and common sense dictate that by the sheer weight of numbers the potential for falling victim to deadly use of force would create a scenario where many multiples of black men would be killed by the police then actually occur.
Acknowledging the high level of black on black shootings and killings in places like the murder capital, Chicago, waters down the argument that they are targets of white police.
In the case of George Floyd, the four police officers have been rightly charged with his death. Unless the massive number of protesters want them brought in front of a firing squad now, our laws and courts will have to handle until justice prevails.
An interesting hypothesis is that George Floyd is not a choir boy by any stretch of the imagination, and although he perished in a horrific way, should not be held up by the black community or anyone else as a pillar of the community. He had spent several stints in prison for robbery, drugs and theft. In fact, in the commission of the robbery he was guilty of threatening the victim, a pregnant female, by placing a gun to her belly. At the time of his death, confirmed by both autopsies, he was high on methamphetamines and fentanyl. He was also in possession of drugs that he dropped to the ground as he was being arrested. His behavior was erratic and disturbing. None of this condones the death he suffered but what it does do is take the halo away that is being placed on his head by the family, the protesters, politicians and the media.
The ground swell of support for Black Lives Matter movement is almost suffocating. Millions of dollars are being sent to them, major organizations, companies and brands are issuing statements of solidarity as if they had anything to do with racism or the death of Mr. Floyd. Their statements accept that systemic racism is rampant in law enforcement and society in general. Apparently, the collective minds of the many have forgotten the impetus of Black Lives Matter. “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot.” Disproved and debunked from the beginning still lives as their mantra. Do we also forget the previous looting and violence that were perpetrated under the guise of outraged citizen protests. F**K the Cops, Kill the Pigs, Roast their Bacon and many other crude signs and chants filled the air, the television screens and social media. You have to ask yourself, is such a group worthy of support? Has it changed into a reputable force for good. I think not.
Black lives are apparently the only ones that matter now. If you in sincerity try to say that all lives matter you will be labeled racist.
The hair of the politicians is on fire in an effort to align themselves with the massive protests, ignoring the violence, destruction and anarchy in the streets. They espouse treating lawlessness with letting it run its course.
Legislation has already been written to prevent “police brutality” as if that was not already a violation of many, many laws. Another bill is “anti-lynching” as though wanton murder of anyone is not already on the books. Governors and Mayors across the land are trying to pass through the eye of a needle to placate the protests (read rioters and looters) and control the outcome. In a situation that they allowed to get out of control they fail to let law enforcement do their job and put down the insurrection. When the President tried to goad them into action he was once again label evil and divisive. He was the bully. He was acting like the gym coach giving the team the game plan and was treated like the assistant principal that everyone hated in high school.
It will be almost impossible to put this genie back in the bottle. No one wants to be labeled a racist. Yet speaking up, no matter how your arguments are backed up by facts, will earn you the label.
Without a firm resolve to push back against illogical and over the top reactions we are very close to going over the cliff. The American experiment will fail after two hundred and forty four years. If you value the labors of the founders and our forefathers you will need to take the risk. To speak truth in face of overwhelming opposition will take courage and fortitude.
On a sign carried by a protester I saw the slogan that said “Silence is violence.” Now, more than ever, I say, “Silence is Unacceptable.”
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