Finding A Way Forward

A lot of people did not see this coming... a new and younger generation rising and picking up the cause of free speech and active protest in the wake of so many things going awry.  Today more and more people are letting their voices be heard and marching for various causes.  Some of the things that have people upset are the ongoing and endless debate about immigration, voter suppression tactics, minimum wage increases, equal pay for equal work, affordable housing and now... community policing.  

The recent series of shootings by police, a choke hold and the use of deadly force that was caught on camera are sounding the alarm.  And to make matters worse, no criminal indictments.  This new generation is not going to stand around and take this without people and a system being held accountable.  They see a system that is broken; police militarization and a growing culture of indifference among those who are sworn to protect and serve the communities of color.     

These recent events have exposed the underling reality of what prejudice looks and feels like, especially towards Blacks and people of color in general; Black men and boys in particular.  I know we have our own issues of Black on Black crime and that needs to be addressed as well.  But the treatment by those in law enforcement and being paid to do so... should be better and needs to improve.  

Many of us know that policing is a tough job and there are times in which things can get lost in the fog of situations, reactions and emotions.  To be fair, our community needs effective policing, but there are limits to everything.  Additionally, these recent events have uncovered that a number of rules of law and processes have become outdated and additional training standards need to be put into place that reflect good bearing, discipline and multiculturalism.  

However, I see those issues as well as other issues connected to a number of failures in our society, and... we need to work on them too.  There is a need to improve our community with better paying jobs, reduce homelessness, more affordable housing and reducing the high levels of poverty.  And perhaps we will see a lesser need for expanded policing.  What do you think?