Posted on May 28, 2015
We have a real problem: If one screws up should all others be judged the same?
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Recently we have seen a few police officers screw up. Some of those police officers are from the same geographical area. This has resulted in protests and rioting. Somehow those incidents have been argued to be a race issue. I believe that the issue is much bigger than that. If a few screw up should the whole related group be labeled, blamed and accused? This is the bigger issue and there is evidence of it all over the place. If one or even a few extremists from a specific religion does something stupid should the whole religion be labeled, blamed and accused? If one or even a few people of a particular race in a major city or backwoods USA commit a heinous crime should that whole race be labeled, blamed and accused? This is exactly what happens all of the time and it has nothing to do with race or religion. What are your thoughts?
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Great thought provoking question. I don't believe that all should be categorized because of a few others. They are looking for examples to be made.. Just to be angry!
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In the non-sensationalized stories, I get the impression that a lot of stories that I've read regarding police misconduct are too easily relate-able. A lot of people seem to think that the misconduct isn't rare, but is something to be expected. There isn't as much opposition to this thought process, as there is for religious extremism or the like, IMO.
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Are we talking about police, or generalizations?
If we're talking about generalizations, than we're worried specifically about damaging stereotypes, and it would seem that most who participate in these forums already feel like stereotyping is bad more often than not.
If we're talking about the public's perception of the police, then that would seem to be a far more complicated issue. But let's cut to the chase. In my personal experience (I can't stress in my experience enough), most cops are jerks, who wield authority like a bully on a school playground. They expect complete obedience from anyone they interact with and complete amnesty when their mistakes, small or large, are observed. I've been caught with my pants down, and I've been caught with all my ducks in a row. But my experience is always the same: Cops giving orders with little explanation or reason; cops pushing their authority or eliciting consent from the unwilling (me); cops taking every opportunity they can to make money for their municipality.
These are perceptions, not accusations.
That being said, I don't see myself as anti-police. I think there's a cultural clash between myself (and presumably people that have similar experiences as me) and law-enforcement. But it does seem that I'm not the only one experiencing troubles with the police, and I'm by no means the most extreme example. But I live in a (relatively) rural area.
Short answer: Label? No. Suspect and guard against? Hell yes.
If we're talking about generalizations, than we're worried specifically about damaging stereotypes, and it would seem that most who participate in these forums already feel like stereotyping is bad more often than not.
If we're talking about the public's perception of the police, then that would seem to be a far more complicated issue. But let's cut to the chase. In my personal experience (I can't stress in my experience enough), most cops are jerks, who wield authority like a bully on a school playground. They expect complete obedience from anyone they interact with and complete amnesty when their mistakes, small or large, are observed. I've been caught with my pants down, and I've been caught with all my ducks in a row. But my experience is always the same: Cops giving orders with little explanation or reason; cops pushing their authority or eliciting consent from the unwilling (me); cops taking every opportunity they can to make money for their municipality.
These are perceptions, not accusations.
That being said, I don't see myself as anti-police. I think there's a cultural clash between myself (and presumably people that have similar experiences as me) and law-enforcement. But it does seem that I'm not the only one experiencing troubles with the police, and I'm by no means the most extreme example. But I live in a (relatively) rural area.
Short answer: Label? No. Suspect and guard against? Hell yes.
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