I have been asked about my thoughts on defunding or defending the police recently. Here's what I'm thinking…
Some of the law enforcement people I've known over the years are incredible people. They give, serve, and put themselves in harm's way for the sake of the community. At the same time, I personally think it's evident that the policing system all of us have created in this country needs to be re-approached and reformed.
I will admit. I have been influenced by reading African Americans who were a part of previous generations like James Baldwin and James Cone. And listening to contemporary African Americans like Coleman Hughes, Ibrim X Kendi, and Chloe Valdary. (BTW those people don't agree with each other all the time!) And watching shows like 13th , and even YouTube videos like, The Quartering of Troops. And attending Black Lives Matter rallies here in KC.
I know some caucasians who just aren't interested in being influenced by any of the aforementioned. They are probably the same people who will not dig into what a defunding of the police might mean. I think many of us may be reacting to the word "defund." We see that word, and it scares us. If that's the case, then fear winds up in the driver's seat. I don't think that's helpful.
While it's possible I don't agree with every single thing the Defund the Police movement is asking for (because whoever agrees with everything anyone asks for?), please consider…
Rethinking our policing philosophy doesn't have to mean doing away with all structure as we've known it, or voluntarily throwing all of us into a state of anarchy or disrespecting those good men and women who have put their lives on the line for us in the past.
Rethinking policing could mean reevaluating how we respond to people, in particular, in times of stress. It could mean shifting away from punitive measures of discipline and shifting toward restorative measures of discipline.
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