I think you've hit the mark that the source of polarization in issues with policing communities of color revolves around trust. These communities that are out protesting in the streets have lost trust in their local police departments to the point that the presence of police officers actually destabilizes the community's sense of security rather than allaying their fears. On the flip side, I think that conservatives tend to put a lot of faith in the police as the guardians of order and safety in their communities and are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt when they clash with citizens. Part of why right-leaning folk chafe at being dismissed at racists for opposing these protests is that most believe they would still back law enforcement if the races of the officers and the deceased were reversed, because they fundamentally support the institution of law enforcement.
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| Reuters-Lucas Jackson |
But to respond to the questions you posed at the end of your post, here they are again:
1) What is the appropriate response for outraged communities?
2) How do we seek an appropriate solution for these situations?
First, as a white-male who grew up in predominately suburban area and has not had anything but banal encounters with police officers, I neither have the liberty or arrogance to propose an "appropriate response" for these outraged communities. For the most part, I think the protesters have responded with more dignity and grace given their circumstances than the national media is willing to give them credit for. However, it shouldn't be controversial that the leeway for appropriate responses ends when protesters stoop to retributive violence. To lash back violently at law enforcement is not only unethical (justice is never satiated by more violence) but it also lacks pragmatism. If protesters yield the moral high ground back to the government, then their "movement" will be remembered just as unfortunately as the LA riots in the early 90's. The heartbreaking assassinations of officers Ramos and Liu in Brooklyn in response to the Eric Garner case derailed the good-will afforded those protesting in New York in what seemed like a clear case of police brutality. Actions in Baltimore are threatening to do the same.
As for solutions that these communities can seek, that's where we can be a little more concrete. My first suggestion is to advocate that their sons and daughters become police officers. Unfortunately, because of the rough relations these communities have had with local law enforcement, the profession of law enforcement has substantially lower prestige than similar service professions like firefighting and the military. The line "be the change you want to see in the world" could not be more poignant than now.
My second suggestion is: Get Political. If you want things to change, these communities need to lobby their local officials with concrete demands, vote out any bums, and have people run for office that they trust. The only problem with public policy solutions is that for every good idea posed, a counter-example seems to quickly arise to squash the hopes. If you'll let me be a little wonky, I'll spend the rest of my post detailing some of the proposed solutions that people should fight for, even if there are still problems.
Ready? Here we go...
