It seems that with each passing moment, we lose more of ourselves as a human race. It is sad when people lose the battle in fighting for their lives, i.e. cancer, but it is always senseless and horrific when people have their lives taken from them. In light of recent events, I have been asked many times, given my perspective being black and being a former cop, what side of the issue I am on. Simple answer to a misguided question. I am on the SIDE OF GOOD, wherever it is.
I will always have the backs of my former law enforcement colleagues, as long as they do the right thing. I go to sleep every night very thankful for them working those very familiar hours that I remember so well.
There are a lot of misguided people in our society. Unfortunately every institution, law enforcement included, is a cross section of our society. So yes, there are misguided people in all walks of life.
That being said, those of you that believe that the senseless murder of these officers is a justifiable payback for previous injustices, SHAME ON YOU. The killing of an unarmed individual, REGARDLESS OF RACE, is not necessarily justified just because the grand jury didn't bring an indictment. That doesn't mean people are justified in retaliating, looting, etc.
Just because an officer of one race arrests, subdues, or shoots a subject of another race, doesn't necessarily make it a racial issue. The racism stems from the reactions of both sides of the issue after the fact. I don't agree with "I Can't Breathe" or "Breathe Easy, Don't Break the Law" but I do understand.
I will never second guess what another officer's mindset was at the time he or she had to pull the trigger or take some type of action. That is a millisecond decision that many people never put in that position will try to Monday Morning Quarterback.
There will always be people who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. That is why law enforcement will always have more than their share to handle. That's why we trained the way we did and standardized as much as we could.
The events of the past few months have brought out the worst in some people. Social media has caused people to lose all sense of restraint and sometimes, and although we have the desire to know, we don't need to know everyone's innermost feelings, thoughts and opinions. Some things are better left unsaid.
