I am not usually one to publicly speak on controversial issues—I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that it's not my place to judge, only to love. I have remained virtually silent throughout the past few weeks. With the most recent killings of three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge, however, I feel that silence is no longer an option.
As a disclaimer, I am by no means justifying the killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, or anyone else killed by law enforcement officers. There are ongoing investigations to determine whether or not the killings were called for and that is not what I choose to discuss in this article because I was not there, did not witness either of the incidents, and am not a judge.
I have read many posts from African-American mothers who say they fear for their sons' lives— fear that they will be judged because of their skin color and unfairly treated. I do not know what it is like to be a minority. I will not pretend that I do. I do, however, know what it is like to be a daughter of a law enforcement officer, and trust me, I feared for my father every day.
As law enforcement officers, these men and women take an oath to "protect and serve" their communities at all costs, and that is what 99.9 percent of them do. Sure, there are crooked cops. But don't let a bad apple spoil the whole bunch.
When a police officer answers a call, they never know what to expect. They could answer a domestic abuse call and find a drunk enraged husband with a gun. They could make a traffic stop for speeding and be ran over by the driver. They could find a druggie on the side of the street and be stuck with an infected needle. The possibilities are endless as to the danger they could face each and every time they go to work. But still, they make that vow. They don't do it for the pay, and they don't do it for the good attention (which they hardly even get today). They do it because they want to make their communities a better place.
These men and women have families. They are mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, and sons. If you believe that black lives matter but police lives don't, you are part of the problem. President Obama stated, "I want to be clear: there is no justification for violence against law enforcement officers. These attacks are the work of cowards who speak for no one." For once, I agree with Mr. President on this one.
Until you suit up and wear a badge, you will never know what it is like to be a law enforcement officer. You will never know the risks these men and women take every single day to protect those around them. I will #BackTheBlue forever and always.
Below are some images to remind everyone what being a police officer is all about.
