1/n. Some hesitant, early thoughts on the protests and violence that so deeply capture our attention this weekend, and I imagine most of the summer.
I must begin by noting how stunned I was by the killing of Mr. Floyd. I’ve seen plenty of violence, but remained shocked . . .
I must begin by noting how stunned I was by the killing of Mr. Floyd. I’ve seen plenty of violence, but remained shocked . . .
2/n . . by the indifference to human suffering displayed by the police officers. It is made worse by their oath and training, and Americans are rightly furious. Protest is clearly warranted, but not sufficient. But, there is no clarity on what else we might do.
3/n. Folks who provide easy answers are naive, maybe even foolish. Far too much commentary, on this platform and others, is simply the regurgitation of a bad introductory sociology class. I am happy to ‘interrogate my privelege’ and admit I’m among the most privileged . . .
4/n . . humans to have ever lived. But, if you think that exercise is gonna animate the voting patterns of an unemployed white Indiana steelworker whose family emigrated from Ukraine in the 1880’s, you are mistaken. But they aren’t the real worry.
5/n. Asian Americans, among our fastest growing populations, are routinely discriminated against in college admissions. How enthusiastic is this population gong to be for expanded affrimative action?
I make these points only to illustrative the challenge of expanded policies.
I make these points only to illustrative the challenge of expanded policies.
6/n. So, policy Is hard. If it were not, any number of previous administrations would‘ve solved problems of urban poverty and violence. So, what to do?
7/n. Let us start by admitting a problem with policing. I am not a police officer, but I have been to war, and led MP teams in urban environments. I have seen several videos in the past 24 hours that violate urban combat Rules of Engagement.
8/n. Not all of this can be attributed to untrained police and NG troops. It has to be leadership. 2020 and 2021 should see the most expansive realignment of U.S. police forces in history. Let me be blunt. They appear to have adopted all the bad elements of the military . . .
9/n . . . but, none of the good. Organizations that are not self policing are, by definition, not professions. We need to make them professionals.
*We must also recognize many of the protestors are evil and violent, and most cops are noble, brave and moral.
*We must also recognize many of the protestors are evil and violent, and most cops are noble, brave and moral.
10/n. Policy changes on poverty and racism comes at a time when the unemployment rate is really 25%. this would be a wise moment to restructure the fundamentals of education. This will b long, and costly, but unlike the ‘interrogation of white privilege’ it might work.
11/n Nothing we do will have more effect than the fundamental support for education, especially the early, pre -k years. I write this acknoweldging that the sort of long-term, patient investment I propose is exactly what most policy entrepreneurs argue against.
12/n And that brings me back to my original point. The policy remedies to our challenges are hard, take investment and time, patience and courage. Anyone who says otherwise is mistaken. Policy has to start with children.
13/13. The promise of our Declaration of Indepence is not complete. For those of us, who love its text, it is time to think honestly about the challenges it will take to make it so,
