Thread by @l78lancer

I am a progressive. I've been a progressive for my entire voting life. When the lights go out in my eyes, my wife, children and grandchildren will know me as a progressive. They may even put it on my headstone.
cnn.com/2021/04/13/pol…

So it's with all sincerity and hope when I say that progressives in congress need to get their act together when it comes to policing. They are all over the place, and nowhere at the same time. Rashida Tlaib's heart may be in the right place, but what is she really talking about?

By the way, I'm not picking on her. She just happens to be the latest person to make pronouncements about policing that are disconnected from reality, or anything remotely like sound rational, functional policy. And, while is may excite people it looks like really bad politics.

And before anyone comes at me wrong out of the gate, don't lecture me about how dangerous police departments are, or how damaging they've been to black communities, Let's establish this:

While it is not my objective, intent, or pretense to be the "black community expert," my life gives me more than a modicum credibility and understanding on the issue.

Let's start with the objective but not too well understood fact that I've been black all of my life, and have spent the majority of that time in black communities in various parts of the nation. I have had my own police interactions and experiences about which I can write a book.

I've worked with law enforcement on the professional side, and dealt with them on the community activism, grassroots, and organizing side, as well as the civilian police advisor committee and other capacities.

I have also had my share of interactions with police as a black man on the streets - good police and bad. I probably have more direct experience about being black and dealing with the police than many people in America will ever have.

Yet is it some of those same folks who would presume to tell me how it is to be black and mistreated by the police, but have never been there themselves. That paradigm is a problem. But, if you have ever actually walked a mile in my shoes you know exactly what I'm talking about.

It would be nice for a change if more folks in America spent more time actually listening and really paying attention to what black people have to say than presuming that others actually know better for us. So far, that hasn't worked out too well. So please, let's stay focused.

Some of the same progressives who were scared for their lives, and so deeply appreciative of the heroic actions of the police which saved them on 1/6/2021 are calling for the elimination of police. Why? Is the threat of insurrection no longer existent?

Do they suddenly feel safer around the same right fanatical, extremist, white supremacist, Nazi members of congress who threatened them, and compromised their security while those confederates rushed to destroy democracy and government just weeks ago?

Or, do they want to eliminate policing for the rest of the public but not for themselves? Or, do they want to restructure policing but move some of the functions where they more appropriately belong and can be more effectively used?

See the problem with the messages coming from the progressive wing? It's a confused mess. Depending on which progressives you're talking to, and what issue is currently receiving the most press, you get different positions and answers.

The fact is some type of policing function is essential in some form precisely because of the types of personal threats they experienced themselves whether the like it or not. In addition, violent crime like rape and murder haven't disappeared.

Yet, there are clearly functions that need to be removed from the responsibility and purview of the police. Mental health and addiction crises issues are public health matters and should be handled accordingly.

Families should never have to worry if their loved one will actually get the help that they need, or be killed in the process. Therefore, the proper areas need to be staffed and resourced as such to absorb those functions from police departments.

That would improved community relations and service.

Likewise, family, children and domestic relations issues shouldn't involve police unless there is domestic abuse, sexual abuse or violence.

There is no reason for police to be part of the interaction or reality of children related to family issues. Children are often already traumatized enough from their environments and experiences. They are simply trying to survive. Police interaction shouldn't add to that burden.

Being homeless isn't a crime. It's a state that's often caused by economic or other circumstances beyond an individual's control. Sometimes it's the result of substances abuse, or mental health challenges. Regardless, there's no reason for it to involve police.

Black and brown communities are far too overpoliced, militarized, and too frequently are staffed by people from outside the community who are there for a paycheck but have almost no interest in the community itself.

In the movie Field Of Dreams, the takeaway line is, "if you build it they will come." In other words, if you provide a place for the sport, the spirit of sport will come and inhabit that place no matter no matter how humble it is.

Likewise with policing. If you send police into the community like militarized units looking for a fight, or like hunters looking for prey, that's what they will find. And if they don't find it, they will create it while the environment becomes one of fear and distrust.

Policing is far too frequently seen as a war against the community rather than community problem-solving. Too often people who call the police for assistance wind up beaten, abused, or humiliated by those who are purported to bring assistance.

Black and brown communities don't like or want crime any more than any other community. But when the help is more dangerous and harmful that the crime, which one is actually the real problems? So police interactions with communities must change at fundamental levels.

So, are those the types of interactions, changes, and service modifications that congressional progressives believe should be instituted rather than overstaff, bloated police departments behaving more like untrained, frustrated soldiers of fortune who kill unarmed people?

If so, then congressional progressives need to say so and always be clear, consistent, and articulate about what they want, and not just scream about what they don't want. You're in congress to lead. So lead. Think. Be constructive. Or, get out of the seat and go home.

Progressives have always been the forward-thinking problem-solvers and innovators for the left and the right. The objective has been to make government the most efficient, productive and beneficial for the greatest number of people.

They - we - are not obnoxious, complaining hysterical whiners with no solutions. Progressives have the opportunity to make change. So, act like it.

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