I think the polarization of this issue comes with a fairly obvious answer that most people will point to and say "race." But I'd like to take it a step further and say
that these issues transcend race and become more about an issue of trust.
John Dalberg-Acton coined the phrase, "power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." In this situation I fear we've found ourselves in a scenario where people are no longer trusting in regards to the people that are in place to 'protect and serve.' In the case of Tamir Rice a blogger for daily kos wrote a great piece (albeit very opinionated) about police corruption in Cleveland and the murder that ensued. And I'm sure many people in Ferguson, Cleveland, NYC, Baltimore, Detroit, et cetera don't even feel safe in their own homes at times. Charlie LeDuff did a great report with a lot of humor mixed in to such a serious topic about this problem in Detroit. And when you strip someone of their feeling of safety you're depriving people of a basic need. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs safety is just above physiological needs. I would be inclined to agree with that sentiment and when you're talking about large populations feeling unsafe, it's only a matter of time before that unrest translates into problems for the community, the people of authority, and a movement for policy change.
Do not mistake my previous paragraph as defending the people that are rioting and looting local businesses, that is MUCH DIFFERENT than peaceful protests. In fact, I would even go as far as saying that these actions is causing a larger problem instead of a solution. But that begs the question Mike, what is the appropriate response for outraged communities? Or, if you prefer, how do we seek an appropriate solution for these situations?
that these issues transcend race and become more about an issue of trust.
John Dalberg-Acton coined the phrase, "power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." In this situation I fear we've found ourselves in a scenario where people are no longer trusting in regards to the people that are in place to 'protect and serve.' In the case of Tamir Rice a blogger for daily kos wrote a great piece (albeit very opinionated) about police corruption in Cleveland and the murder that ensued. And I'm sure many people in Ferguson, Cleveland, NYC, Baltimore, Detroit, et cetera don't even feel safe in their own homes at times. Charlie LeDuff did a great report with a lot of humor mixed in to such a serious topic about this problem in Detroit. And when you strip someone of their feeling of safety you're depriving people of a basic need. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs safety is just above physiological needs. I would be inclined to agree with that sentiment and when you're talking about large populations feeling unsafe, it's only a matter of time before that unrest translates into problems for the community, the people of authority, and a movement for policy change.
 |
| Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs |
No comments:
Post a Comment