Listen up, America, because I have a lot to say. In most recent news, there has been a blinding spotlight on the topic of police brutality. The opinions on this controversy are deafening, it’s a “he said, she said” that’s taken the limelight.
Let’s get one thing straight: I am not disregarding the fact that police brutality does exist, I most definitely think it does.
But like any profession, I believe there are "bad apples." I do not believe it is fair for these few out of thousands to give the whole profession a bad name.
It’s so easy to throw words around, to say "all cops are racist," to say "cops are killers."
But let me tell you something: to me, it is not something to be taken lightly.
When I hear someone call all police officers racist, my heart starts to race, my hands clench and all I want to do is yell. When I hear someone call all police officers racist, I want to ask them why they would say such cruel thing. Society’s perception of what a police officer has changed so much and to me, it is so twisted and upsetting.
When I think of a police officer, I think of honor, dignity and respect.
I think of when I was little waiting by the door for my dad to come home in his uniform after a long, tiring, stressful day where he would put that all behind him and walk in the door with a smile on his face.
I think of the countless nights the phone would ring at 3 a.m. and as I laid in bed I would see the headlights of a car light up the inside of my room, as my dad backed down the driveway onto another call.
I think of younger me praying that he comes back home OK.
You may see cops as racist killers. I see them as underappreciated, overworked heroes. People who do the extraordinary without any thanks from the community.
You may see cops as good for nothing. I see them as good for everything. The professionals who — no matter what people say about them, no matter how horrendous the slander — are still there when you are in trouble.
My dad is my hero and that is something that will never change, regardless of what society expects me to believe.
He is a man who has such pride, integrity and humility. He taught me to be just that myself, to want to live my life helping others without any thanks in return because it is all about the feeling of knowing you are helping the world become a better place.
I’ll leave you with one question, the next time you’re in distress and need help instantly, who will be there?
Oh right, the police.
So, to all the police officers out there, thank you.
Thank you, for keeping us safe.
Thank you for caring about the community.
Thank you, for putting your life at risk every day for people who either do or do not appreciate it.
Thank you, because it is something you should hear a lot more often than you do.
