Some Thoughts on the Oakland Police Shootings
Posted by JimI found yesterday’s police murders in Oakland disconcerting for more than the obvious reasons. The families destroyed and the fraying of Oakland’s fragile social compact have absorbed the biggest blows. But for people like me, observing from a safe distance, there are other unsettling parts to this tragedy, other reasons that make it hard for me to shake this story and make me feel feel unsafe.
As the years have rolled by I have been more aware of what I loosely call the ‘Protector Class’. Those are people, who by some undefined strength, have the courage to go through the door not knowing what lurks behind. The Protector Class encompasses many kinds of work but all share one commonality; they voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf.
Even the 26-year old loser who took these lives, probably to avoid the inconvenience and discomfort of another trip to the Big House, was a beneficiary of the good works of this class of men and women. I am sure he did not understand this irony and in some self-serving twisted rationale saw them more as predators, not protectors.
What this miscreant sorely lacked was any form of personal courage. He was bereft of it, either by upbringing or birth. I know little of him and desire no further knowledge. I am sure in my own mind that I know enough. I know all I need to know about him. His acts illustrated his personal cowardice.
So take a moment and quietly recognize what it takes to walk through the door. The collision of courage and cowardice on that Oakland street yesterday afternoon should be remembered by all of us. We should all remember we are lucky to have people willing to step in harm’s way.
