A Nation Cries in Outrage

Chernobyl Reactor after meltdown.

"I remember Dan Rather saying about Chernobyl, 'If it weren't for the wind, nobody would know this story.' The wind was the person that told the story. Left to humans, it would have remained secret and hidden".. Linda Hogan

Not that long ago. Today we might say, "If it weren't for that iPhone, nobody would know the truth of what happened to George Floyd or Eric Garner or Ahmaud Arbery." 

A nation cries in outrage as another example of racism in our country is exposed. What do policemen like Derek Chauvin and Daniel Pantaleo think while they are in the act of murdering someone in full view of the public? Are they in an altered state and not aware of the consequences of their actions? Can they understand the pain they are inflicting? Surely they know they are in no danger with other officers standing by. They also know there are other means of subduing the suspect.

Daniel Pantaleo's chokehold on Eric Garner in 2014 caused an acute asthma attack, killing him on the sidewalk as he, too, pleaded to be allowed to breathe. Pantaleo was placed on desk duty and received full pay and benefits for 5-years until a Grand Jury failed to indict him. Only then was he fired from his job -- the only punishment. (I did read that his wife divorced him. Good for her!) Again, "if it weren't for the iPhone videos", we might not know the full truth of what happened. 

Punitive action appears to be taking place much sooner this time, as all of the officers involved in George Floyd's death have been fired and charges brought against Chauvin for the brutal act of kneeling on another human being's neck for nearly 9-minutes, all the while listening to the pitiful pleas from his victim that he cannot breathe. It may take a speedy trial and conviction on murder charges to put an end to the chaos and riots resulting from what began as peaceful protests across our nation. 

(Kent State - 1970 - The Guardian)

I cannot help but think of the 50-year-old Kent State shootings "Kent State Massacre" as I hear the National Guard has been brought in to try to control the riots now happening all over the country. That resulted in only four deaths at Kent State. However, the state of our country today is in such turmoil, and the rise of groups such as the White Nationalists, agitators, gun lovers, and racists insert themselves in protests at every opportunity to create even more divisiveness. I suspect that peaceful protests were the aim at first in Minneapolis, then those types infiltrated the original groups.

(Police Station Burns in Minneapolis - KMOV.com)

Most of us have much appreciation for law enforcement. Heroic deeds by most of them go unnoticed on a daily basis. It is a dangerous profession which takes brave individuals to lay their lives on the line. However, there are many "macho" types who go into police work thrilled to be legally carrying a gun and having the opportunities to show their strength and ability to use whatever force necessary to subdue "criminals". No doubt many -- as in all professions -- are racists at heart as well. Statistics bear witness to the fact that minorities far surpass the numbers of arrests, convictions, and residents of our prisons.

Recruitment of policemen should definitely include background checks of their involvement in any suspicious groups. (Maybe they do.) It goes without saying that those such as Derek Chauvin who have multiple complaints about excessive force should not be allowed to continue to serve. 

Of course, it's easy to sit back and observe and judge from the comfort of home and easy chair, watching with criticism what the TV cameras are projecting to our screens. We know that sensationalism is what creates ratings, so they will show enough that raises our hackles. Surely there are nonviolent protests about these horrific deaths. In the meantime, we can pray that something or someone -- certainly not the likes of our President, who does more to incite -- can put out the flames of injustice we are witnessing. Even a 12-year-old understands better than Trump.

Yesterday "Obama said. 'But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal’ — whether it’s while dealing with the health care system or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park.'"

Words to remember.

Peace..