When did it become a crime to stand for what you believe in?
To be fortunate enough to feel empathy, and be driven by the desire to address an issue that affects more than just ourselves? To be antagonized, ignored, and led to responses of anger.. When did the extent of freedom of expression fall into the hands of law enforcement? Indicting what is right versus wrong for a whole collective of people? We are all people with feelings. And feelings can get very strong when they’re ignored, silenced, or suppressed. Especially mutual feelings amongst communities. As time continues, more information arises–as it has now in reflection of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Here (below in video), we experience the joy of two officers in the wake of the murder of George Floyd (that led to an outbreak of mass protests), fist bumping each other in celebration of the harm of a “free” citizen. What many of these protestors experienced by taking a stand for a stolen life has been traumatizing. As you can see here. Being shot with rubber bullets, tear gassed, being kettled, being arrested–all for having a heart that is on fire with passion and anger… Is it not punishment? When did it become a crime to feel?
The conversations of those in power positions in Minneapolis at the time were centered around what the protestors were doing and how they could be stopped. The damage they had caused. The restlessness. The loss of control. The officers in the video celebrating the harm of a protester, but dismissing the large conversation of “how did we get here,” is not just a means of power and control?
An officer’s job is to respond to crime. Feelings, morals, passion, honesty, organized community, is it a crime? Do we need power and control, or do we need a system that is proactive in combating the issues of the people rather than making the people the issue for having an issue?
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