‘We have failed to create a fair society.’ Letters to Editor on protests, police violence.
A long road
Recent demonstrations are sad reminders that we have failed to do enough since the 1960s to make our nation just and fair. My son called to tell me he was OK, but that he had been marching in Louisville and had been boxed in by riot police and pushed in a crowd toward downtown. The police would not allow the crowd to disperse, tear gassing them and arresting some.
My heart screamed: Don’t do that again! At the same time, my faith screamed: You should have been by his side! My faith tells me, “whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” I hear the greatest command, “love your neighbor as yourself”.
The statistics tell that we have failed to create a fair society. Black students are much more likely to be suspended and expelled from school than white students. The median wealth of white households is much greater than that of black and Latino households. Eight in 10 blacks said they are treated less fairly than whites by police.
We are told to join letter-writing campaigns to elected officials. Attend city council meetings. Get out the vote. Such small steps for such a long journey.
Elizabeth Thompson, Nicholasville
Constitutional ban
The protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd have at their foundation a long-standing and systematic violation of the Fourth Amendment. As a refresher, the Fourth Amendment states “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” When a police officer, assisted by other cops, puts a knee on the neck of a civilian causing that person’s death, that victim was not secure in their person from an unreasonable seizure.
In George Floyd’s case, he was unreasonably seized, and unfortunately he is far from the only victim. Getting arrested for committing a crime, or being suspected of having committed a crime, is constitutional. Being suffocated during the process is not. Neither is having lawful protests met with military-style force, and the two are related.
I’m thankful for police who do a difficult and dangerous job while upholding their oath. But the United States isn’t under occupation. Police don’t need so many military weapons and tactics, which unsurprisingly leads to more unwanted casualties. Yes, there are massive social problems that need to be addressed. Meanwhile we have been at war so long we think militarized police are normal. They aren’t, and the Fourth Amendment proves it. Because being treated like a people under occupation is unreasonable, and that’s something the Constitution was written to prevent.
Jason Belcher, Harold
Protesters legal
The president continues to be a disgrace. His words and actions show he won’t stop until he has been named dictator for life.
Protesters are not breaking the law. Rioters are. Protesters are not terrorists. Tactical personnel with insignia removed are sent to terrorize the populace, not protect them. They cannot be held accountable by the citizenry.
Donald Trump is already working to discredit the November election and has fired or caused to be fired anyone who might scrutinize his actions. He demands loyalty to him, personally, not to America.
Glenna Brouse, Lexington
Respect all people
Recently some citizens in Richmond marched in protest of what has happened in several cities around the country: the abuses by a very small number of police officers, directed at black individuals.
Racism and discrimination, in any form, against any individuals, is wrong, not just in America, but anywhere on Earth. We as human beings still have a long way to go to educate ourselves, to strive to improve our acceptance of others who may be “different” from ourselves.
None of us is perfect, but all of us can and should do better. We owe it to the future of our world.
We shouldn’t stereotype any group of people who are different from you or me. We also shouldn’t disrespect all the good police officers that do a great job, day in and day out, without any “news” being made. It’s not an easy job, and it can be a very dangerous job in a split second.
Richmond is unique in its approach to having a great community police department. The citizens in Richmond support our police 100%. Wear that badge with honor and pride.
Steve Rosenberg, Richmond