As most of you might be aware, I lost my brother earlier this year. It was not due to old age, illness, or some natural progression in life, but he died by the hand of a lawman in Jamaica, through the improper use of lethal force. How long shall we stand by and just watch as innocent sons and daughters are gunned down by extrajudicial exercises of the law.
I am caught in a precarious place. No one can truly say that I don't know what police officers go through. I am fully aware of their challenges as I have to live with some of their fears each day. Indeed, another one of my brothers is a decorated police officer, and each day I worry and pray about his well-being. However, when will it ever be right for him to shoot an unarmed man fifty times without probable cause? When will it ever be right to shoot another human being 3 times at close range when he is still on the ground?
I have always read and even heard comments like these, but never thought I would ever be the author of one. My loss might be yours one day. In fact, it already is. You just don't realize it yet. Speak up!
3 comments:
Well I can't say that I understand what you are feeling but I do sympathize (Note my tribute in an earlier post). I think it is somewhat of a double edge sword though, there have been cases also of innocent police officers with wives and kids that have also been gunned down senselessly by unscrupulous individuals, both here and in Jamaica. So while I am not saying that shoot first and ask questions later is the answer, if I was a cop, which I was seriously considering at one point in time, it's better them than me, you best believe I will be shooting first. Also again, put yourself in the cops shoes for a second, how would you react? The whole New York shooting incident, I do not know the whole story, but I will do some research to see how those events unfolded, as you cannot always take everything at face value. I am actually gald to see fresh posts in this forum without it being related to the future President Clinton and her rival Mr. Obama, they will soon be a distant memory, and issues like this will still remain.
I forgot to append this to my last post, it's gonna take more than just speaking up, many have spoken up and these issues are still occurring, way too often it seems. It will take action.
Since I'm not nearly as eloquent and articulate, I'll let two people I admire speak for me:
We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
-Dalai Lama
God has not forgotten
To give us peace.
He is just waiting for us
To ask for it.
-Sri Chinmoy
How can this world change without developing any compassion as human beings. You can scream "action" from the rooftops, but it has to start on an individual level. How can we be peaceful, loving, and kind, then extend that into the world. Change always starts within.
My views might seem a bit "airy fairy" to some, but have we made any progress in the other ways?
MOB, for you and your family I wish you peace and love.
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