| I find the lack of conversation deafening but it makes sense. The people most affected are underrepresented in tech. 1a: A police officer in Florida pulled my wife over for speeding. We were 100% cooperative but I guess the PO assumed I was an illegal. I was belittled and screamed at to follow conflicting orders while a gun was pointed at me and my family. That was the first interaction my 5 yo daughter had with a police officer too. 1b: A white peer in college said I should go back to work with my Mexican buddies at some factory. ... many many more 2: IMO, we probably live in the least racist environment ever and racism will never go away completely. It can’t be eradicated but racism on its own is not the main problem. The main issue is the excessive use of force by law enforcement, usually towards POC, and their lack of accountability (If we can solve this LE problem, all that will be left are the annoying Karens and petty ignorant people. These encounters still hurt but we live) So what’s fueling all the outrage? - law enforcement. Brutality against POC and anyone who stands in their way. - social media. Yeah, it’s making racism and police brutality more visible but it's not a bad thing. - politics. you know who - right-wing media TBH, I don’t even think LE is disproportionately racist. They are about as racist as the normal population but rouge POs have a lot of power. A racist with a badge can cause a lot of damage and the gang-like attitude of PDs doesn’t help either. It all starts with one officer who has a disproportionate level of animosity towards a certain neighborhood or group of people. Then his buddies come along and escalate the situation. 3: There is plenty we can do Society: - Education. Pay teachers more than POs. - A renewed appreciation for the 2nd amendment by the left (it’s clear gun owners command a higher level of respect) - Stop chastising POC for speaking out against injustices Law Enforcement - Respect for all humans - mandatory licensing & college education - malpractice insurance (or something like it) - mandatory counseling and anger management - allow the community to videotape all incidents - public profiles for all POs that includes all their career history - live streaming of all police encounters along with all footage being part of the public domain. - Monthly town halls with the local PD - End self-policing |