EQUALITY, COMPASSION AND POLITICAL MISCHIEF

 EQUALITY, COMPASSION AND POLITICAL MISCHIEF - the case of George Floyd.

Viewpoint by Harry Bissoon 31/05/2020 /I wrote this last year.

In Alexis De Tocqueville's book, Democracy in America, he postulated that there is a direct :passion that governs social interaction amongs us. Even though Tocqueville wrote more than one and a half century ago, his observations may still be relevant today.


The death of George Floyd, precipitated by transparent police brutality, again brings to the forefront, the apparent unequal treatment of people of color, especially blacks, by the police. We may be born equal, but become unequal with the passing of time. Even though we may be presented with the same opportunities, not all of us react and respond with the same alacrity. This happens within all ethnic and racial classifications of people. In democratic America, consequently, we have people who are rich, poor, dependent, unemployed, sophisticated and trending, brilliant and dumb, enterprising and unimaginative, leaders and followers. These people fall in all racial groups, some more than others. The result is racial profiling and animosity.


The American police is made up of good people, but there are also bad cops. The police not only protect the people; they also protect themselves. Many bad cops overreact, make bad judgments, and treat victims based on their preconceived notions of the victim's racial profile. 


All of America feels compassion for Floyd! There was no compassion,however, from the cop who had his knee on Floyd's neck! America, even though unequal in many ways, broke that barrier, and became equal with Floyd. The cop definitely didn't see him as an equal! 


Let us not lose this feeling of equality and compassion. Let us not allow the misguided violent protest and destruction of property to cloud the mission that lies ahead. Let us not destroy, let us build! Let us not allow political michief and the shenanigans of those who want to exploit the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd for their own devious purposes. Let us ensure that those who killed Floyd are brought to justice. Let us etch Floyd unto our souls and ensure that the legal system brings justice to him and his family.

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