Stereotypes - Cops and Thugs

Stereotype: a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group:

Profiling: the use of personal characteristics or behavior patterns to make generalizations about a person

These terms are pretty much always used in a negative context as if they are wrong, but if we're honest, we all do it.  It's how we process our world.  We make an instant judgement about a person on sight.  We then can choose what we do with it, but there is a first impression that we all have based on similar situations we've encountered previously.  If guys in cowboy hats have always called you ma'am or sir, the next cowboy hat you see, you will probably expect the same.  We recognize patterns and create expectations based on those patterns.  

I believe this is an important issue to be aware of when we consider how we present ourselves to the world around us.  Let us look at the hip hop/rap culture.  These boys that dress like gangsters/ thugs give off a certain expectation about their character.  When one chooses to align with a music scene that promotes violence, drugs, crime, sexual violence, promiscuity, lack of respect for authority and who knows what else.... I personally am going to be much more inclined to not trust them.  I don't know why anyone would like listening to all that if they didn't aspire to that lifestyle.  That is just my opinion, but isn't that what we're talking about here?  It is my opinion that one will primarily choose to fill their eyes and ears with things that align with their moral standards.  

This has been on my mind with the current news line.  I have not intentionally looked at anything related to the Ferguson case, just heard the bare bones basic idea, so I won't pretend to know anything about it. (as if watching the news really tells us anything about anything)  I'm just thinking that this isn't new.  We hear stories often about authority figures abusing people, be it cops or teachers, and the news creates this huge hoopla about it and incites the people to riot.  It is something that I am trying to be understanding about.  I am not saying it is right, but I feel like I understand how it happens and that the authority figures aren't really the problem.  

I remember an incident back in middle school where a teacher grabbed a student by the throat and pushed him out in the hallway and up against the wall in anger.  I realize now that wasn't ok, but at the time, I think we all thought the kid deserved it.  He was always acting up and being a turd.  No one liked him.  He pushed the teacher to the breaking point.  Years later I heard another teacher that I really liked had been suspended and accused of slapping a student.  I'd been in his class for 3 years, he was a great guy, so my thought again was, what that kid must've done to push the teacher to that point.  My point is that cops and teachers deal with troublesome individuals on a daily basis.  The growing number of punks that just smart off and fight back is something I would never be able to deal with.  I would totally want to slap them around.  Think about it.  How much disrespect could you take? I'm surprised more of them don't snap.  

So back to my original word, the cops have for sure got a certain idea in their head about how these punks will behave, and that includes pulling a gun.  If I'm an officer facing off with someone that looks like every other punk I've dealt with, the threat of a weapon coming out is running on red alert.  Have you ever had a gun pulled on you?  These cops have I'm sure.  A few months ago I just happened to drive right past a situation where a cop shootout was happening and I know what happened inside of me.  My racing heart, shaking hands, two hours trying to calm down, not thinking straight ....  How much time do you have to make a decision in that situation?  I would never want to be in their shoes.  

I hope we as a nation can learn to have some compassion.  Yes, bad things happen, mistakes are made, but we all make them.  Can we choose to not vilify cops when one of them makes a mistake (or alleged mistake)?  Can we try to understand their circumstances?  Can we forgive? If you can't forgive others their mistakes, how can you ever expect yours to be forgiven?  Can we address the real problem?  Can we seek to provide resources for the cops to turn to when the stress builds up so they don't snap?  Can we acknowledge how much crap they deal with on a daily basis and give them our respect for doing it? 

And secondly, how are you presenting yourself to the world?  I would venture a guess that not all black people are automatically suspected of being criminals, but only those who dress and act in a way that lumps them in with the sector that is.  If you associate yourself with criminals, don't whine when you are assumed to be one at first glance.  Realize that stereotypes exist and you will be treated as such on first impression, just as you do it to others.  

And lastly, let us do our best to get to know people beyond first impressions.  They might surprise you.  I'm challenging myself on this one, I'm not very good at this myself.  :)