About this content: The following is a comment I'd made in a diary today, in response to another Kossack's frustration. The diary provided and praised an example of good policing; there were more than 1 comments disagreeing with the diarist's gist that we need to hear more about good cops and good policing. I agree with the diarist, and this was my response to one of the comments, which touched me as one of genuine frustration and one that I felt obligated to speak to from the heart. I'm reposting it completely here - I'm not entirely sure why. I'm at a loss for words, but hope this conveys my thoughts and feelings in an inoffensive, healthy manner. Anyone who finds comfort or use for the text are welcome to it.
It is important that good cops and good policing get more attention, tho, b/c that provides an important contrast against the examples set by bad cops and bad policing - and noting the contrast and differences can help when it comes to weeding out the crap and reinforcing / building up the good stuff.
And that will help everyone - lily white, translucent, POC or even invisible folk.
Right now, violence against POC, and young black men in particular, is terrifying, ongoing, and built into a system deeply saturated with embedded racism and perpetual cultural microaggressions.
Noting the good elements among the bad in any aspect of the system where there are disastrous, tragic, and criminal abuses is important - not only does it help us find our way toward fixing the problem, it also helps us hold onto hope that not all is lost.
I know the words above aren't much help, if any. I'm frustrated, too; I don't know how to better understand the frustrations of others. Empathy can go far, particularly when guided by those who can help broaden and deepen my understanding, but my cultural background and exposure is different - I'm a middle class, middle aged white guy, with some damn fine friends who run the gamut of races, cultures and philosophies. I depend on their guidance, see their pain, but can only empathize & feel so much of it. And that adds to my own frustration - I can't fix the problems, I can't take away the pain, I can't make amends for the idiocy of others.
But I can offer my hand, my shoulder, my voice - and hope that, as little as that is, it helps. And I can hope that combined with the efforts and voices of others, we can help bring about change, healing and understanding.
Even so, that does little to mitigate the current levels of frustration & anger you're feeling. I get that, at least.
I think many of us here do, regardless of our race, history or background.