Paradigm shift is defined as a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. This needs to happen with race relations.
THE FIRST PARADIGM SHIFT SHOULD INVOLVE POLICE OFFICERS.
It appears as if police are overly concerned with law enforcement as a first priority. I believe with the rioting and destruction that has happened this is an understandable perspective. When chaos ensues, order and control are paramount to restore a peaceful union.
However, with George Floyd I believe they had no concern for his personal safety when they arrested him. That is unacceptable.
I would like for there to be a paradigm shift in education of police officers.
Their first and foremost priority should be public safety. Law enforcement should be secondary to that priority.
If they had had that education when arresting George Floyd, they would have let him get up when he said he would get in the car. For his life would have been more important than arresting him for a $20 counterfeit bill.
THE SECOND PARADIGM SHIFT SHOULD BE SENSITIVITY TRAINING
As I wrote in a previous post. I have been the recipient of some very insensitive comments and actions from cops in general. https://www.theshatteredvase.com/index.php/2020/06/03/plenty-of-bad-cops/
Nothing I experienced was comparable to what George Floyd went through though.
However, it brings up the possibility that cops may just be insensitive jerks to more than black men.
I have known some very kind cops and some very unkind cops.
Derek Chauvin had eighteen complaints against him. Wouldn’t that warrant some kind of intervention?
Think of how different our country would be if they had counseled him and put him on probation until he learned how to control himself. It would have been a benefit to him too.
I SUGGEST THE PARADIGM SHIFT SHOULD START IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I grew up in the Midwest in a small farming community where there were no blacks. I was not taught prejudice. It never entered the conversation.
However, I raised my children in the south and for some of their growing-up years our neighbors were black. That neighbor lady became like a sister to me and my kids knew they had better not do anything to disrespect any blacks in my presence.
Being in Texas, I know that not all people feel the same. That is why I am suggesting some racial sensitivity training start in school when the children are young.
If you read this blog and have any other suggestions, please enter them in the comment section. We all need to own this problem.
To read a lighthearted response to a work situation I had to deal with please click on the following link.
