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Neither race, nor occupation should define Americans

I have been considering writing this column for weeks. I don’t want to write it, to be honest. It’s controversial and hits so many tender spots of our combined history as Americans. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or make anyone angry, and I’ve never been one to stir the pot, so to speak. However, I feel that I have to say my piece. Maybe you agree. Maybe you don’t. Certainly writing or reading about it, won’t change anything. But change needs to be made.

Americans are becoming more wary of those meant to keep us safe: police officers. These men and women in blue are sworn to protect life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. We are supposed to feel safe in their presence and call them when we are in harm’s way.

Yet across the country, claims of police brutality continue to grow and fester, like an untreated wound. If this continues, what will happen to the land of the free and the home of the brave?

There are two sides to every story. In addition to an attack on our police, this is also a racial issue. I am not a woman of color, so I have no right or ability to speak from the point of view of black Americans, particularly young, male African Americans. I can say that racism still exists in this country, even right here in the Mahoning Valley.

When discussing this topic with my 13-year-old daughter, she replied, “What is this? The 50s?” Truly. I thought we got over this difference of our skin color years ago. But we haven’t, have we? We still judge people based on the color of their skin, the shape of their eyes, their gender, their sexual orientation, the type of car they drive, the neighborhood they live in, and any other number of defining characteristics that have absolutely nothing to do with whether that person is good and kind or evil and corrupt.

I notice the increasing reports of racial tension and police brutality, but I do not know the varied details of these incidents. Not enough to make a decision on who is right or who is wrong. Not enough to condemn or exonerate any one person. Let me be clear on that. I am not referring specifically of Ferguson, Eric Garner or the shooting of Pennsylvania troopers.

I fear for our young men, in particular young, black males who are only trying to do right. These men who worry when they get pulled over, even though they have done nothing wrong. Their mothers and fathers who have taught them right from wrong, but still fret when the phone goes unanswered or a curfew is missed. Can you imagine living your life without the option of depending on the fair and impartial judgment of the police? Imagine fearing not just the flashing lights behind your car, but there mere sight of the black and white vehicle parked near an intersection. Not because you have broken the law and do not want to get caught, but because you are black.

Now, imagine that you wake up each morning, kiss your spouse and children goodbye and pray that you will return to them at night. Imagine that you put yourself on the street every day, where you work in one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Law enforcement workers, black and white alike, face injury or death not only from weapons, but also from car accidents. The on-the-job fatality rate continues to rise, and now is being skewed by hate crimes against all officers, regardless of whether that person is good and kind or evil and corrupt.

I have called Liberty police to my house several times. These men and women can be intimidating. Why? Because they have to be. They deal with the bad guys day in and day out. But their voices are kind and their eyes reflect that they do care. They went out of their way to help and protect me. They made my children feel safe. They made me feel safe. They take their jobs seriously, just as I’m certain the police in each local department do.

While a few criminals – who happen to be black – are giving a bad name to entire race, a few power-hungry individuals – who happen to be police officers – are ruining the image of those who were sworn to protect and serve.

We are all humans. We are not defined by our racial heritage or our occupation of choice. Without law enforcement agencies, what kind of world would this be? Take time to thank a police officer today. They put their life on the line for our safety while risking their own.

columns@tribtoday.com

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