Milwaukee has seen such devastating actions over the past weekend. It's crucial to get both sides of the story in a crisis situation like this. As a society and many coexisting cultures, we need to move past angry altercations and begin to extend love, gratitude and compassion to others. I worry for the world my kids will grow up in, if we cannot deviate this city from its set-in ways of hate and anger.
I had the privilege to speak with a police officer about the matter, in a more personal light. He was able to shed light and respectfully banter the idea of a modern day MLK with me, as we discussed Milwaukee's safety and concerns for its downtown citizens.
Myself: You know how I feel about police, and police brutality, and the whole police overstepping their authority into arrogance, but this is completely out of hand. This is not how you change history. This is not how you make a stance. Where's the modern day MLK to tell everyone to protest with respect and dignity?"
Him: That's the problem, that modern day MLK doesn't exist and what's more unfortunate is that the people doing this wouldn't listen if he or she did exist. There is such a huge disrespect for anyone with authority these days. Not just police, but parents and teachers and anyone like that. If MLK were here, his messages would fall on deaf ears. I do believe that there is a problem with police over stepping sometimes. I will say thankfully I've never witnessed it happen but it's an issue that is honestly being addressed. However, there's also an issue that people think we can't do some things when we can, and they get up in arms about that and it makes the news when it's not an issue to even begin with. I just wish people stopped thinking 'it's us against them' on both sides and started looking for ways to improve things.
Myself: I agree. No one wants to hear that they might be wrong, either way. Whether the police officer is wrong or another person, irregardless neither will own up to each own's mistakes ad that's the root of this problem -- pride. Society is an arrogant bubble waiting to explode.
To all those affected by the crime and concern sweeping across the Milwaukee streets -- our hearts are with you in this troubling time.
