Civil Twilight (2)

            

            Folks live in these metropolitan and otherwise populated areas. They don't know their neighbors. They see somebody who is accused being detained, there are perceptions attached to that. However, each perception is up to the individual. We ought to attach a basic investment into anyone we meet. An introductory credit line of kindness and faith. This must be coupled with the ability to make payments and extend these credits as we are patient with any mistakes.

            Think of your definition of respect, it's just that. Something I say could be disrespectful in your view, but I think it's respectful. Those are opposing versions of an abstract idea. There's no absolute value attached to them. People started blurring the lines between those abstract ideas without absolute value and it has crossed over into our education system; where science and math are questionable and you hold your own individual versions of what 3 + 3 adds up to. As if there's a clever way to defy the laws of nature, math, or science. Ideas like telling one another that the Earth is flat makes it our fact.

            We don't know our neighbors, in part, because of how heavily we’ve populated the world and certainly don't stand up for strangers in these times of need. An overpopulated planet means  working together would continue to expand population but ruin the quality of the ecosphere.

            Perhaps there was a magical person who could have confronted the officers. A trained negotiator or reckless hero to bring sweet relief and precious air. Maybe it would only take one person to bring some understanding. I’ve been fascinated my entire life by Dr. Martin Luther King. Grasping the virtues of history with accuracy is important, but online there’s chaos.

            My writing is designed for me to be able to pour my thoughts together. A way to feel better about the confusion I have. The byproduct of sharing it is that other people can ask themselves questions. You can read and interpret what I say in any way that you like. However, if you want clarity from the author, then come ask me. You’re welcome to make assumptions. The first amendment is a beautiful thing. It entitles you to your wrong opinion.

            Often, writing brings me some clarity and some good feelings. There are tens of thousands of people who see different posts and read my work through my website. So, I hope this makes some people think. Perhaps they will think ahead. There’s a lot of protests that will happen. People who will destroy what’s in good repair around them. Chaos that sets communities back by having to budget around rebuilding. Imagine the new investments or simple maintenance that money had been set aside for.

            This is written for everybody else. I'd rather have thrown my hands up in a pacifist way. To have walked toward the young man who was kneeling on George and told him to back off. Not stopping until he rested his weight on his back leg or stood up. Mr. Floyd might never be known if someone had saved him. Which do you think his loved ones prefer; Fame or life?

            Those of you who know about weight differential can watch the video. You can see that our policeman put his hands in his pockets. In a sort of malicious way, he’s adding extra weight onto his knee. Changing his balance to leverage the maximum force just below a human skull. The sort of extracurricular training possible through martial arts and close quarters combat.

            You can see that he's shifted his weight off his back foot and he's tried to rest his full body weight over his left hip. The goal is to bring unconsciousness to the person below you. He may not have meant to end his life. Certainly, anyone who knows a technique related to oxygen deprivation must acknowledge the potential for asphyxiation.

            Let's be clear that making someone go unconscious is a reckless thing. It's right up there with giving someone a concussion. That is unnecessary force. His lack of compassion for the people around him, maybe even his lack of training, brings me back to a lack of education. The sleeper hold and beyond are no longer accepted restraining tactics. The risk is too high.

            Our responsibility in raising and conditioning each other is to show compassion. Long before you’ve thought about higher education and career paths, comes a visualization of the community you want to live in. How will you care for the people around you? Being accountable and owning up to a clear and common goal for people to be comfortable.

            So many of us have been taken advantage of. Many of these folks are unable to forgive. They don’t have opportunities to get into arbitrary discussions. A mind and memory that won’t allow these possibilities of thought. The abuse of the past would send the traumatized into shock.

            When you're bringing these subjects up, they are preconditioned. They've experienced physical or mental trauma. Having a broad-minded, open-ended, what are we going to do about it sort of discussion isn't possible. That’s a shame for people who want to include them. As if being reintroduced from the captivity of their mind back into the wild world of endless discussions.

            What a shame it is that we can't even talk about their scar tissue. A feeling of prejudice they have in words that trigger memories. A speaker must curb themselves towards what people are going to feel for the words. They already have a reaction in their data banks.

            One of the most difficult parts of this, is the separation between those who are intellectual and those who have these emotions. Because there is a tendency to overlook emotion and not factor it in to the verbiage. So, you have this vicious cycle of going back into what traumatized people consider sensitive words. You have the intellectual folks who can't understand why they call foul. They throw around words like boundaries and other abstract ideas.

            Folks who want to have debate, often do not believe in limiting discussion. The power of free speech is a big thing. That idea overcomes their inclusion of feelings. This makes it exceedingly difficult to say something satirical or to otherwise have a discussion. A broad-minded person has the perception of free speech without limits. The other feels the words.

            Forward thinking debate about avoiding bad situations. On the other side, is an opposing view where you could not have possibly walked in their shoes. Now, is that simply unfortunate or were the other people so intelligent that they avoided the trauma by perception followed by wise decisions? Maybe both things are true. There’s no absolution for tragedy.

            I hope you think out loud if you take the time to read the written version of this. Also, I hope that you share this if you're watching the video version. The next time you go to the store, look over your shoulder. See how that's a preconditioned statement. As the author, I'm going to finish the thought and say that you see if there's anybody else in the parking lot coming your way, you remain patient and then hold the door for them. Others might think that I meant you should look back skeptically with a judgmental sort of vigilantism.
            When we begin to trust one another, you can start to have these discussions. Though I haven’t read about what financial situation Mr. Floyd's family is in. Undoubtedly, they should get some apologetic and monetary recourse. But wouldn’t you rather he was here, even scraping by, and less amenable.

            I'm not going ignore, that when you're approached by authorities you should have clear communication with them. There’s nothing like dignifying one another with an acceptance of competence. A simple game of trusting one another until we have a reason not to, right in front of us. Have your own experiences.
            Make informed decisions about what you're doing with your time. I was sitting in a criminal justice class, when one of my classmates came in late. She told the instructor how a speeding ticket has just come her way. He asked her why she looked upset about it. In her version, she shouldn't have gotten a ticket because she was coming to criminal justice class. He asked her if she was speeding, and she said yes. That's when the instructor asked her, “then what’s the problem?”

            Several of my other thoughts include the mindset of the people rioting. Those seeking a fifteen-minute walk of fame. As if they’re attending some interactive concert with door prizes. Many of the people they’re protesting pursued jobs with authority because of insecurity. Being sworn-in way to overcome their inner demons of trauma. Most people wouldn’t think of living out the stigma attached to the badge. Prejudice exists towards colors with or without authority.

            Be accountable for your actions. Maybe we didn't have all the information up front. As we're all heading back to work, we're going to try to figure out if we want to be close to one another. Don't blame not opening a door on social distancing. Each of us could take risks and extend courtesies that will accommodate one another. In turn, costing us nothing. Will you?

            Compassion has nothing to do with masks. Look for the signs and educate yourself. Just like the people who avoid tragic situations and trauma. If you see a man struggling for air, you help him breathe. Slogans and colors aren’t a division. They’re mission statements toward a common greater good. Don’t allow the nonsense of reckless skepticism to ruin humanity.

            Do not allow the fellow man around you to suffocate. Because if he struggles and he doesn't last, when he expires, so does the dignity of anyone who had the chance to help. The integrity of everyone who watched is gone.