Thread by @LauraJedeed

The flashing lights go off just outside La Paz and you pull over. You get your Google Translate ready

The police officer tells you that it is illegal to drive with a busted-out rear windshield

You explain to the cop that you were robbed a few days ago and the shop can't fix the window until Tuesday, 5 days from now

The cop says he has to uphold the law and give you a citation, and you say it's bullshit to treat you like a criminal for falling victim to a crime

The cop tells you the police report you show him is no good because it's from Cabo San Lucas and you should have stayed there to get the window fixed.

You show the cop your insurance letter sending you to a repair shop in La Paz

He does not give a single shit, obviously

You do not have the words to point out that the cops didn't do shit about the robbery but they'll rob you for having the audacity of being robbed

You do not tell him you see no difference between him and the robbers except the robbers probably needed the money more

He tells you he can take you to the station where they will impound your car, or you can pay up

And this sounds like bullshit but what remain of your possessions are in your broken car and so you hand over the bribe he demands

And it IS a bribe of course: going right into his pocket

But would it make a difference if the cop had to give it to the state? You are being extorted either way, and you were targeted under a law designed to punish the poor

The US has similar laws and outcomes

As you drive away too angry to form complete thoughts, there comes to you this vague idea that the world has always been divided into 2 groups: people with guns, metaphorical or literal, and people without them, and that people with guns have always made the rules

As your brain begins to function in a color other than red you reflect that this incident means nothing. There can be no exposé, no devastating revelation of corrupt Mexican cops because everyone already knows

It's the same in the US, but people pretend to be outraged more

If at this point you don't know that cops exist to fine people and file paperwork for crimes they won't look into and murder with impunity and throw shit fits when held accountable--if you don't know all that, then you've chosen not to know

At a certain point, do words matter?

Tomorrow you will wake up early and walk an hour to a bus stop in 110+ degree heat and take a bus to the nearest ATM to get cash for food since the police stole your money and driving is clearly not an option, then walk an hour back, and you will not get any writing done

The end