Mistrust: Law Enforcement and Blacks
It is unfortunate to see the relationship between law enforcement and the black populace continuing to define itself in this ugly pattern in the U.S. While Officer Darren Goforth, 47, of Texas was refueling his Patrol car at a gas station in the Houston area, a supposed intruder, who he probably don’t even know, rained life bullets in an “execution-styled” shooting on him, ending his life in cold blood. We followed numerous other cases on either side, time and again, making us conclude that there is a serious mistrust.
It looks like the black populace are getting overly sensitive when it comes to dealing with law enforcement, the same way that law enforcement has been sensitive about blacks, most of the suspicion and mistrust coming from the ugly past and continued mistrust and dealing. The hunt is a bad one and the catch is always some life, and it goes on without saying that life is all equally important.
In as much as I am totally against shooting black people, I am equally against the shooting of law enforcement, the supposedly very guardians of the law. In my view, Government and law enforcement owes it to its citizens to be disciplined, professional and be custodians of the law, the same way that citizens also owe it to law enforcement, to trust, to respect, and to relate sincerely together on the things shared in common. It is easy to just scream aloud when a black man is shot and I know what pain comes with it. The other sides also are humans with life and family, and when they are wronged, we should all join to condemn in the strongest terms. It is true that law enforcement has in many instances shown police brutality and that part cannot be ignored, but still, it won’t call for open shooting, from whoever sees the other group, just because of how one party feels about the other. That would tantamount to taking the law into our own hands.
Since the suspect has been arrested and charged even though authorities are still investigating on the motive for the murder, we hope the rest of the justice system will serve justice for the deceased officer, his family, and friends. What is not clear at this point as investigation continues is whether there was any prior altercation between the two.
It is conclusive to say that the issue of trust is a big one. A responsible Government must train well its law enforcement and hold them accountable to their standard of representation, while a responsible citizenry must also abide by the rules, in that way both the Government and the governed are empowered through a sincere relationship of trust, love, and respect.
Best for the weekend,
Yero.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/28/us/texas-sheriffs-deputy-shot-gas-station/index.html