A reason why the "some good cops" argument doesn't matter.
A short thread on the dangers of authority, obedience, and how it leads "good people" to do horrible things.
A short thread on the dangers of authority, obedience, and how it leads "good people" to do horrible things.
In 1963 Stanley Milgram conducted a psychological study to understand just how far people go in obeying instructions to physically harm others.
His interest was birthed from WW2 and seeing how "normal people" in German society could be so easily influenced to commit... genocide.
His interest was birthed from WW2 and seeing how "normal people" in German society could be so easily influenced to commit... genocide.
The study was simple:
Participants were told by a man in a white lab coat to administer electric shocks to actors behind a screen whenever they got test questions wrong.
With each wrong answer, the power of the shock increased.
Participants were told by a man in a white lab coat to administer electric shocks to actors behind a screen whenever they got test questions wrong.
With each wrong answer, the power of the shock increased.
Despite screams and pleading to stop, TWO THIRDS -- a whole 65 fucking percent -- of participants were ready to administer a LETHAL SHOCK.
They were ready to kill someone.
Because they were told to by someone in power. It was their job.
They were paid $4.50 for their time.
They were ready to kill someone.
Because they were told to by someone in power. It was their job.
They were paid $4.50 for their time.
Uniforms- and power- are nasty things.
In a follow-up, the authority stepped away and was replaced by a "civilian" in normal clothes. Obedience dropped to 20%.
But when participants were able to instruct someone else to give the shock, the rate increased to over NINETY PERCENT.
In a follow-up, the authority stepped away and was replaced by a "civilian" in normal clothes. Obedience dropped to 20%.
But when participants were able to instruct someone else to give the shock, the rate increased to over NINETY PERCENT.
History has shown that ordinary, "good" people can do horrible, truly horrendous things under the guise of following orders.
Obeying authority.
Listening to command.
*Enacting* authority with their power.
We've played this game again and again. Power corrupts, absolutely.
Obeying authority.
Listening to command.
*Enacting* authority with their power.
We've played this game again and again. Power corrupts, absolutely.
As you watch what's happening this week across the US, and then reflect on what black people have been facing since... forever?
It doesn't fucking matter if some cops are "good people." When following orders, they do horrible things. History shows that good don't mean shit.
It doesn't fucking matter if some cops are "good people." When following orders, they do horrible things. History shows that good don't mean shit.
Not to mention the complicity of witnessing atrocities and not standing up.
Of a system designed to disproportionately target black people.
Of a history that creates and perpetrates a false narrative that "good" white people should fear and need protection from black people.
Of a system designed to disproportionately target black people.
Of a history that creates and perpetrates a false narrative that "good" white people should fear and need protection from black people.
So I don't care if all cops are bastards or not.
The system is a bastard and cops wear the badge.
"Bad" ones have impunity. "Good" ones are easily led to fall in line. All are complicit. Unchecked power is fucked and authority corrupts.
Black lives matter. Defund the police.
The system is a bastard and cops wear the badge.
"Bad" ones have impunity. "Good" ones are easily led to fall in line. All are complicit. Unchecked power is fucked and authority corrupts.
Black lives matter. Defund the police.
