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| "Truth is one; sages call it by various names." Rig Veda |
When important values are not central to decision making, the system runs risks of misalignment with the rest of society. We should be prepared to accept rapid change in our socio-cultural-economic realms and how these changes will put pressure on institutions to adjust as America become a more global society (It would be hard to be an advanced Digital Era nation without being central to supply-information chains and all of the cultural transitions that will likely occur. Likewise, technology will change our prior manners of living and interacting which adjust our assumptions of life, governance and people.), with lots of different peoples, and that we must learn to live by underlining values (universal principles) that apply to everyone.
Most people and institutions are willing to slowly shift and those that don't often also don't know the right path forward. That is why peaceful protests to encourage change is an important feedback loop that provides opportunities to listen, learn and adjust to an emerging world (We may agree or disagree with the cause and reasons for protest but they are a feedback data point.). It doesn't need to be the only feedback loop to consider and when review our environment and are proactive with problems we can stay ahead of change by practical micro adjustments that align to our long term national goals in a controllable manner (i.e. law makers should talk about proactive problems before major problems occur. With proactivity they may not occur at all or they may be small ripples instead of overwhelming title waves.).
There are also practical reasons to think about maintaining the effectiveness of policing (Effectiveness as defined by its purpose. Every department should be working toward fulfilling that purpose. Accountability is about ensuring such purpose as the forefront of everyone's mind.). Criminals do bad things (i.e. hate rewarded by financial incentives.) and we don't want any short-sighted changes to make it any easier for them (When change is necessary it should be well thought out.). Keeping what makes sense in policing and changing what doesn't work. When we support new research into policing (including non lethal weapons/tactics) and take a critical review of policing tactics we can often new ways of doing things that may be more effective (Saving officers, catching bad guys/gals, protecting bystanders and avoiding irreversible mistakes.).
Domestic extremism views that linger like diseases in our communities are difficult for law enforcement to contend with (Assuming there aren't officers part of those social networks and/or easily manipulated. That goes back to a point to be discussed later called objectivity. It also is about a complete review to ensure hate doesn't reward perpetrators.) Something like hate and extremism isn't something new as it has been going on a long time, but it is something that now is a significant risk factor for the nation and for local people.
However, in lower level extremism behaviors we should recognize the difference between mental health with inward projected trajectory and outward projected aggression. Mental health counseling and coding will in one form or another be part of any solution that hopes understand the roots. (Why I suggest Michigan Track and Solve as one potential solution. Someone may agree with the details but the idea of using mental health evaluation and services for those behaviors that are highly destructive but fall short of certain legal thresholds for bigger violations. One could also consider it as a carrot to encourage people to get help before they hurt someone. Not having this system in place puts people at risk when they become targets for extremist leaning groups.)
From this article we may have a few key points.
1.) Institutions must adjust when societal shifts and changes occur. Being proactive limits long-term risks (i.e. foot dragging when we know change should occur).
2.) Societal feedback loops (protests and other metrics) should be used for improvement to create a learning organization.
3.) Policing should maintain its effectiveness so as to ensure it continues to protect and serve its population.
4.) Respecting police and respecting freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is how the system was designed to ensure it adapt with changing times.
5.) Mental health (sometimes comingled with other incentives i.e. financial gain and/or missing money.) is as the root of many hate based crimes and when there are opportunities for reform a track and solve system may help.
6.) Providing opportunities to learn and creating a feedback loop can sometimes help in fostering critical thinking and lighting up alternative perspectives for conflict resolution by bridging cognitive gaps in new ways (Forcefully inserting a more logical alternative perspective.🤷🤔😏)
This isn't in particular depth but its just a small bit into potential understanding and solutions of extremism type behaviors and how to handle them in society. There will be more. It also helps to understand that hate isn't just related to the perpetrators and the targets but also the rest of society. We are moving into an era where there are no minorities and thus many systems will feel pressure to change and be more receptive (Its not a moral argument, although it could be, its a practical one based on changing "customer"/American demographics.)
Next related article...incentives of hate. Where we as a society (Its a value system as much as law so it is a "society" issue) could do better at protecting targets and removing some of the incentives of hate. I also feel that many of these members knew and felt protected by the law and while they (the mob) are no longer targeting (some police still appear to be targeting) they have for the most part walked creating special risks for me and my family. We aren't talking about the spark of ignorance but into the community where dishonesty and lying are acceptable and social networks have ostracized people who have done nothing to them. If I had said that one of the people who tried to get others to help her set up "The Muslim" also was bragging about money at the very same time and had called the police on another person she didn't agree with. These things are not isolated incidents but part of personalities and part of a history of poor behaviors. While I wish that those who were intentionally destructive received help I do recognize the law isn't going to be able to deal with these incentives and underhanded tactics well. What is my obligation? To be as truthful as possible, try and be objective, be engaging (doesn't mean not being truthful), better help encourage investigation into corrupted practices/individuals to help the community (Remember from prior postings there are multiple complaints from other people in the community), create restorative win-win solutions, and ensure I'm not "ethnic"/religiously "cleansed" out before its natural conclusion (They had all the justifications they needed. I stood up to say "no" to people and officers within their networks who may not have heard the words before. I guess it opens important questions. What does it mean to have value in our society and be "American"? Is patriotism blindly following ignorance of others or challenging ignorance for a better nation? Is there accountability for misuse of power? See how the logic starts to switch. Can Muslims be patriotic? Catholics? Blacks, Minorities?, etc... or is it dependent on race and religious anchoring? Are patriotic values surface or do they have deeper universal meanings?) . This is no reflection on the wonderful people I have grown up with in the community but those who intentionally broke every rule in the moral book and seem to feel unremorseful and in turn unable to undo the damage they have caused. I plan on engaging, serving, being open in the public as much as I can. There have been some ripples as people naturally react. A lost job opportunity, ostracization, and other behaviors designed to build boundaries and/or damage community engagement but there are greater things at stake here than blindly supporting social networks. Law and Morality. Some of these extremists have called me "The Bitch" as a sign of their "manliness" and my kids "nigga babies" as indication of their racial superiority. (That also opens up some more question about "manhood" in today's society as being more about show than action and the value of people being as defined by color versus quality. ) I think the best thing I can do is ensure that my kids and grandkids have the right to walk freely on any street in this country; especially here. I can also show some of those who have felt similar that there are peaceful resolutions (keep in mind there was a propensity of violence among some of the people. I believe they felt it was easy because they were in a group and they were protected from responsibility. It is possible to respond to high levels of aggression with more peaceful, accurate but forceful method. That does or doesn't mean I can or can't protect myself. I just feel that you should avoid such situations as much as possible. Another good lesson for those learning martial arts is that the best way to protect yourself is to step away a minute if possible. I think I did a good job of stepping away and still holding my ground on certain beliefs considering they were targeting, intentionally trying to provoke a response to create a reaction for further 'justification" of corrupted behaviors. The connection between law enforcement and this group may be too close for objectivity.) to looming societal issues (Going back to that concept of "bitch" and "manhood".) Its about changing minds and having a level of backbone to step up for honored American values. Time answers all questions I guess........but our future will be defined by such issues (I'm a conservative in orientation and will stand up for what I believe are conservative values shared by many conservative and liberal friends. )
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