We have obligations to ensure we don't give a free pass for hate nor turn a blind eye to obvious signs of corruption. While some of us empathize with people of certain racial and religious backgrounds when this weaves it's way into out local law enforce systems (it looks like one department) and we fail to correct misbehaviors when we see them, we in turn acknowledge the validity of such actions. We also encourage such behaviors to be repeated against other minorities and people's as a 'legitimate' (although technically illegal) way of dealing with a "undesirables" in our society.
(..before you get all 😡 just remember you have to have read my other stuff to understand what I'm saying. I support police 100% and their mission. I support our Constitution and civil liberties contained within 110% as they are the only logical way to ensure our institutions are responsive to the collective will of the people. I know! I know! A dumb idea!)
It's one sign, out of a number of signs, we may not yet be ready to adapt as a system to something more supported, exportable as an ideology, and functional in performance (It takes a lot of effort to cover up bad behaviors. It takes away from actual police work. So we should create an efficient and transparent system.). We cannot have two systems of justice at work. (Its a mixed bag so far in our hypothetical scale of adjustment. Some post embarrassing video release kind of efforts but meaningful proactive reform hasn't happened yet. Its more of a political argument then one in which real people and their lives are seen as central to decision making. I say that as a light R....I think I'm still R based on values. I will probably be thrown out but I am Old Guard like the one's who supported abolitionism and Reagan like ideas. I'm not sure how many Old Guards there are left? It looks like we have been overshadowed by the new type. Also, I do not believe it is beneficial to switch our historical support for freedom to those who support less freedom just because they used the R name for their careers. You have to go a little deep in historical self-reflection to understand what I'm saying.)
I believe in theoretical arguments in so much as they explain truth and the need for greater integrity. At least two, and what appears to be three, local systems defaulted in favor of their good old boy clan. While we have seen this in many other places in our nation, and so far it has almost always ended in tears as a strategy, we have failed at times to detect and correct even when obvious (i.e. meaning we are aware but incapable or unwilling or something else to correct a broken system that still poses a risk. Always be ready for the something else. I may have a different explanation in a few months from now.).
One would expect the greater system to correct if it hope's to create a level of trust for the majority of "Americans" that feel shafted regularly by the sometimes subjective application of laws. Meaning we should not be serving American's (Traditional ethnocentric perspective that once reflected a single vantage point of a story of Americans from the Civil War until until a few years/decades ago. The Civil War changed our perceptions as two national views collided. One ideology took precedence but some of the values of the other crept back into our system through social networks and clan affiliations. It still poses a risk as a return ideology that already led to the sacking of our capital and numerous hate based behaviors. ) at the expense of "Americans" (The majority of society that is often seen as different because of racial and religious confusion and misguidance.) While many Americans know this on a realized level, it is still a hard sell to those who feel entitled to protect their own from consequence obviously warranted and earned.
That opens up an argument of two different societies with two different legal systems highly dependent on the somewhat spotty application of thoughtful justice. We have seen the end result of free passes in other nations that swept aside the rights of those they deem as less worthy (Entire segments of population throughout different regions and places that led to a break). Our nation is smarter then that and I know this isn't the end of the story. It would be a sad state of affairs if the grotesque and intentional destructiveness of the behaviors had a "wink and nod" result. This is also not a situation that reflects all situations across the country but one in which it relates in context to other situations through shared concern. We must maintain integrity as much as possible.
I do think we as a nation will overcome hate and extremism in our systems, but as of yet some of us anchored in helping the few in detriment to the many (Its because there isn't a focus on the bigger principles of America). As more mixed race children grow up, global influence and exposure to new ideas rise there will be pressure on these stagnant and sometimes corrupt systems to change so as to reflect the needs of modern times. Corruption as defined by inability to uphold a greater purpose in relation to our written and unwritten values, laws, artifacts, oaths, social expectations and Constitution.
While those with power believe or don't believe in the same values of freedom, and it will be a mixed bag, we do have a responsibility to push corrupted systems to function as intended by not giving a free pass to hate just because "those" people are seen as having lower value in the grand scheme of things. These choices are wasting our human capital and our future. Subjective application of law is muting our future chances of success by prompting a huge portion of society that they may not be valued and their efforts will be fruitless (i.e. their input isn't valued and their returns will be minimal. Don't believe me? Ask some minorities. You can agree or disagree but if a huge percentage of society believes that, then it is what it is and wise leaders fix the problem. Maybe not but I would like to see a poll on it that has large enough sample size to be generalizable nationally just to be on the safe side. Until then, I could be wrong and can't say with pure definitiveness. Make your own judgement. I don't even care if I'm right. If I'm wrong I might say, "Wow, I was wrong and this particular poll means I need to adjust my hypothesis. Let me take a closer look at the objective facts and conclusion because I will change some assumptions". Its called L-E-A-R-N-I-N-G through evidence.)
I can tell you about human capital, I can tell you about the positive benefits of trust of institutions, and I can tell why it's important to have a central value system that ties us together. What I can't tell you is why some hate behaviors are normalized and given a free pass. What I can't tell you is how it will turn out for people like me who believe its important to have system integrity for economic, social, and moral purposes (Not that me or anyone else is perfectly moral. I got my faults but compared to these people, not too shabby. I got a good heart and have a history of trying when others did the wrong thing. I have been fairly consistently right in history. I could be wrong but I try and self check my options and alternative explanations. ). Let us not forget what is in the best interest of every freely born American/"American" (Regardless of what defaulted systems come try and mute that belief now and in the future.)
My plan in dealing with a lack of respect for human dignity, freedom and basic American values is this...Is it the same now as it was 3 years ago. I will be visible, I will challenge, I will not shut my mouth to appease corruption and hate, I will be polite, I will be open to apologies, I will forgive but not forget, and I will humbly suffer the consequences of having a moral conscious. I will do so with a smile as I know I'm standing up for something greater then myself. While I might be easily discarded because I'm one of the "little people" mixed with "those people", It is a pleasure to have a backbone against wrong doing. I might be wrong about a few things but I'm not wrong about this being wrong (If I'm wrong I'm likely wrong from not having all the info...but my heart is in the right place and I'm not wrong about the manipulative, hate oriented, and intentionally destructive behaviors.) Now line up!
The nation may eventually suffer if it doesn't do a better job of creating inclusive buy in and/or correction for obvious wrongs no matter what the distorted political values of those making decisions. In other words, I plan on being a positive influence even if the dirty word of justice is conveniently stricken from our justice process (btw...I don't actually think it has. I think its refocusing to a greater more truthful cause. Our local systems are more spotty because their stakeholders are not "outsiders" as seen as those who are different. My family actually has a very long history in the area but that was sort of discounted in their distorted logic to help the families they liked through their self-enriching ego centric concept of "local".).
As a person who has come to understand minorities (as much as any man like me can understand) I will give what advice I think might be prudent when systems default. Good advice, real advice, from a person who has experienced much.....
When a young person comes to me and says (race and religion neutral) "What should I do when the system treats me unfairly?" or "What should I do when those liars get a free pass?" or "What should I do when no one gives me a fair shake?" or "What should I do when the people around me fail to make decisions by our professed shared values?"
I will say to them.....
Be better! Be the best you can be! Never give up on the concept of freedom! Many have suffered for it and its just over the horizon it you reach out over there. Work hard, make something of yourself, and teach those dark souls that the future of this republic lays in our ability to create an inclusive perspective of our democratic national purpose. Those that misuse the system to help their kind, clan, buddies, friends, religion, party politic, race etc. do not understand what it means to be an American. They are not in the same game nor are they on the same path of development. You have a greater responsibility then them because you understand your part in making our values realized from generation to generation. Before they walk off in youthful naïve hopes of glory as young people often do, I will call his/her name again so I can warn, "You will suffer for it, take it as an honor and an oath"
Being an American is the spirit of freedom that we pass from generation to generation. It is race and religion neutral. All may partake in freedom but they have a responsibility to uphold it even when the chips are down and the weight is heavy. Those who attach the concept of American to anything other then freedom, as managed by our democratic process, are confused and likely unfit for leadership roles. Let them not splinter our greater purpose for their side agendas. We must be unified in the health of our nation and our beliefs as a people. It starts in our hometowns.
What I think is reasonable in this situation is 1. Mental health help for those who caused the problem, 2. Reform of the department that acted as a clan enforcer (Not all but just a few officers 3-5 which might have some other issues.) 3. A requirement for the college who use nepotistic and disparate hiring practices to adjust their policies to better serve their stated mission and student population, 4. Review of the financial incentives that led to using hate as a tool and 5. the entire justice system whether local or nation to have a better commitment to their core stated purpose (Not the water cooler understandings either. They probably aren't going to do the later until we can do so on a local level. They define national laws by local laws. The only problem is, its not the law but its the application of it that is the issue. Its more cultural mixed with an inability to enforce accountability.).
Seems like we are so confused until a video of obvious wrongs brings to our awareness many of the bad behaviors we long already knew was happening make us painfully aware of the façade. It's a shame we have no mechanism to deal with this prior. Its dangerous and it's sad if this is something that is happening throughout our nation. We can fix this, as soon as we fix ourselves and perspective of the importance ensuring democracy stays strong. Our values take commitment and reinforcement through positive change from time-to-time to ensure they stay relevant to the next generation (All the kids regardless of their background are relevant. I understand that flies in face of good old boy logic but its true. In my humble opinion, people's abilities and character are a more accurate differentiator among them than race, religion or clan. At least in a universal democracy it would look that way.)
Using the strength of the democratic, freedom leaning, modern nation as a goal I do not believe free passes are warranted. Shame if this comes to define us and our values. There is more to patriotism then blindly pressing a button to support a bankrupt agenda that doesn't include the rights of all Americans. I have great hope that we will begin to adjust as a nation toward a more enlightened viewpoint that likely leads us to a much stronger strategic position as a nation, as a people, and as a democratic ideology (Yes I understand I have a Muslim sounding name but maybe just maybe there is a hint of truth in what dribbles out of the side of my obviously deranged mouth*. Just a smidgen 👌).
*I mean deranged in the sense that I believe that if its possible these behaviors occurred, they seem reasonable, have reasonable support, and logically consistent, have witnesses then they warrant an actual investigation. Do I personally feel as a victim I should spend hours and hours wasting my time spelling out my version of the truth? No that sucks too! Its not fair and its designed to put pressure on victims! Yet if its a matter that this group is allowed to be a risk to their community and to other minorities then I say treat me like your cleaving meat (You know how in history how we treat those who stand up for a higher value system.). Its the American thing to do! (I guess the proof in pudding whether it lands on this kind of America, that kind of America, or something we all can agree with.)
** If for some reason I am right I would hope no one comes to protest or do anything of the sort. These are all good people in the area. There are just a few bad apples that have rotted the bunch in what appears to be cross contamination of couple of institutions in their tight social network. In this case, having people sort of review what happened, study it a little more, and judge it from an academics perspective is much more fruitful for development and application in other areas. While I hate to give up any semblance of privacy I nevertheless have a greater responsibility to my fellow Americans (The single conception kind.) to put one dent on a hate based network. Its shame, but it is what it is...roll the dice of fate (or free will or whatever. Just a term.).
*** This article is designed to get you to think. It is being done for thinking purposes and free flowing solutions to problems that we are experiencing as a nation. If you think there is some benefit from what I'm saying then learn from it and it makes a dent in distorted logic, if you think its stupid then feel free to click off and enjoy the rest of your day. It is designed with positive national development conception in mind. Notice the words of inclusion and betterment. Notice how it encourages positive change by giving people the opportunity to change from the inside first. I tried my best to get people to think and take positive self reflective action for their own self benefit way way before now. Things are much more likely to fade into obscurity as a general theoretical argument if proactive change leads to proactive outcomes that ensure the developmental path is positive leaning toward healthy social, economic and political problem resolution.😕
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