We all want the same things, but our reactions seem to be miles apart.
Person A sees what happened to (name the black male, plenty to choose from), acknowledge that it was wrong, and want the offending officer(s) to face the consequences. They say it's unfortunate, but it happens sometimes. They say it should not lead to looting and riots, and that most cops are good. But they go on about their business.
They see the statistics on rape and sexual assault. They say it's unfortunate, but it happens sometimes. They say it can be avoided by not dressing a certain way or not drinking too much. But they go on about their business.
They see the part of town that are impoverished and the homeless guy with a sign, standing at the intersection all day. They say it's unfortunate, but it happens. They might suggest the poor/homeless should work harder or do what they, themselves did, and move up the ladder. But they go on about their business.
Person B sees this things and says NO. This isn't okay. We need a paradigm shift and we need it now. Things don't have to be this way.
Person A is a good person. They're right - most cops are great, dangerous situations can be avoided by women, and the poor/homeless do need to work hard.
But Person A also seems to shrug and think "that's just how things are." And Person A is right again! It is how things are. BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE. A society/culture can be a certain way about a certain thing for 100 years, but change can still happen.
We have a lot of Person As on this board.
Person B is more optimistic about change. Improvement?
Some things are what I call "glacially slow" at changing. And most of these things are mundane and inconsequential. And some of them aren't. Some of them are unacceptable. Change can be created, there's a history of it - there's evidence. But I see these 3 things as threads of a rope in a game of tug-o-war.
People A just see them as they are. They hate it, they would end all of the ugliness if they could, but they seem resigned to acknowledging them as a part of our society.
People B see how horrific they are and feel a sense of urgency to make change - to push fast-forward on these aspects of our society. And I don't thing that's a bad thing.
