As I was watching the news outlets covering the shooting in Dallas, I noticed something significant but not surprising; When The shots rang out, all those protesters ran, and ran quickly away from the sound of the shots, screaming, crying and trampling over each other.
I saw a reporter run to the shots, undoubtedly to get a story. Who else ran towards the shots? Every law enforcement officer in the area!!!
The reporter ran to get the story, but will remain a safe distance from harm. The officers will run and continue to run towards the shots in an effort to neutralize or stop the threat, to save and protect all those people, who were there protesting against the police. Who sacrificed their lives tonight while protecting the protestor's? So far, FOUR police officers killed! There are several reports of police officers shielding protestor's from gunfire with their own bodies!
God bless our police officers. May these officers rest in peace
As we mourn the loss of officers in Dallas, I have to ask why we praise the police for doing their job. That is not to say that I don't back the blue I do! After events involving police I often see a post praising the police for rushing toward the danger. In other words, doing their job. Yes the police will be running toward the danger and that is part of their duty to protect and serve. Yes their job is more dangerous than mine but it should in no way elevate any police officer above that of any citizen. We should all be on a level playing field and over and over we are painfully aware that we are not.
Similarly this is how often times a sports figure who is on the wrong side of the law is not held to the same standard as an average citizen no matter what crime is alleged. The punishment if any is a slap on the wrist rather than the standard of due process. A bad actor is a bad actor. It does not and should not be attached to the occupation of the individual nor should a victim be further victimized or have additional harm done or be minimized based on any previous criminal record.
I believe any officer who exhibits going above and beyond should be individually recognized and all police officers are required to live by the same laws of the land. It is also my belief that the best way we can support our officers is to stop instigating and agitating to make it a black or white issue when it is black AND white or more often lately black and blue.
I was fondled by a policeman who lived next door when I was younger so I know not all "cops" are good. I had a very cool family oriented neighbor who was a cop so I know all cops aren't bad. I have black friends and coworkers who are loving caring people so I know not all blacks are bad. We have obviously taught ourselves and others to paint with a broad brush. This leaves no way to include details. We live in a world of color not black and white. And each color has a different hue. There are shades of red, blue, green, purple. The world is a rainbow of color. Let's work actively to live together, out loud in the open instead of hiding or retreating to our box. Talk with your neighbor, meet someone new at your church, start a group or club that promotes kindness, love and understanding. Neighbor to neighbor, heart to heart make your part of the world a better place.
I am white but I am so much more than the color of my skin. We all are.
Love is kind.
Use your voice, your gifts, your talents to move us to higher ground.
With kindness and in love, stand up.
H. U. G. S. (Humans Utilizing Gifts Successfully)
