Two Quotes

I need two quotes to help me start:

“If a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged, a liberal is a conservative who's been arrested” - Thomas Wolfe

Liberals and conservatives may dislike my opinions.

“What happens to a dream deferred?" - Langston Hughes

Events in Ferguson, Missouri, answer Mr. Hughes’ question.

Liberals: Remember that criminals are well armed, too. They frequently shoot police officers and other citizens.

Conservatives: Remember that we have given the black man little reason to trust us.

If a crime happens where you live or work, you want an effective police force. You want them armed well enough to prevent crime or make an arrest. You also want them well trained and observant.

If your kid got shot to death by the police and no one will tell you exactly what happened or who shot him, you might perceive the police as just another gang. If not a gang, then a modern version of patrolling for runaway slaves.

If the young black man was walking down the middle of the street and blocking traffic like the chief said, that would be a reason for an officer to detain him. The day after the shooting, I read about a struggle between the officer and the young man inside a police vehicle, which spilled out onto the street. Was he going for his weapon? Did he charge the officer after they got out of the car?

I knew a black guy back in the 1980s who had grown up in rural Georgia during the 30s He confirmed what I heard in a sociology class; that they could not expect help or protection from local law enforcement; they were discouraged from pursuing an education; they could not vote to do something about changing their circumstances. They were effectively barred from well-paying work.

Racism is hardwired into our culture. Police officers do not need to profile or target young black men for an unarmed man to get shot. If an officer has to detain a young black man acting suspiciously, he’s most likely going to assume the guy is armed, right or wrong, just to make sure he doesn’t get shot himself. The officer may also assume that warrants have been issued for the young black man’s arrest, that he’s holding illegal drugs, or that he has committed or will commit a crime that day.

The young black man might assume that he will receive an execution on the spot for strong arm robbery. He might assume that the officer is looking for an excuse to shoot him. The young black man may assume that if he is not killed, he will serve time on real or trumped up charges. If he has enemies in the penal system, he may have nothing to lose by trying to fight his way out.

Police: Consider training dollars as an investment. If the officer had a struggle with the young black man, he most likely lost control. Did he lose his cool when the kid got mouthy? Adequate training and discipline can prevent bloodshed and save money. If you’re on the take or incompetent, don’t be surprised if citizens fail to respect you.

Young Black Men: Organize! If you believe the police are out to get you, you must work together. Rioting and looting will not solve the problem. Neither will individual resistance. Get some discipline. Get an education. Stay out of trouble. Vote.

Everyone Else: Please think before you post things on social media. Did the officer shoot because he feared for his life? Did the young black man ignore the officer’s warnings? Why do the Ferguson police want to restrict information about the incident? How extensively have they investigated the shooting? Remember that television and the internet are not interested in giving you accurate information, they are interested in ratings and shares and likes.