Courageous. I like it. Thinking of people in terms of 'process' instead of a noun ("racist" or other) is helpful. It's hard especially now to express these sentiments, but as a white woman with no criminal background, I've had some encounters with police officers that would make your head spin. Liz Swan, PhD Program for Writing & Rhetoric University of Colorado Boulder Independent Broker & Owner Swan Real Estate LLC Certified Yoga Instructor On Thu, Jun 11, 2020, 3:41 PM Ari Delashmutt <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Joe's rant was pretty epic and knocked me in the head hard. It made some > things click. I wrote an article about said things, Medium says its a 6 > minute read. I'd love to hear your thoughts. > > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40ariintheair_inquiring-2Dabout-2Dall-2Dlives-2Dmatter-2D3a248f6e568&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=lXkirlPsEB4UpThKjZjTCSCAABNtdY6sXuJLlx17Xu4&s=yGI7NXuUO20JbTg-rJwZp72wk0UaJc2h6W8_E1Z3b5A&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40ariintheair_inquiring-2Dabout-2Dall-2Dlives-2Dmatter-2D3a248f6e568&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=zBJ6lBDpCiQ4Bhq3euXX5MZVnTU26c6Dwa6pgV0hj3Q&s=1nPhh9I2G6sNcfQdNXTlBXMG1P33L3umcXo8VIJrIXI&e=> > > With love, > Ari > > On Thu, Jun 11, 2020 at 9:44 AM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Joe, >> >> Thanks for this analysis. Very helpful in clarifying the sociological >> issues. >> >> >> Best, >> Gregg >> >> >> >> *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion < >> [log in to unmask]> *On Behalf Of *Joseph Michalski >> *Sent:* Thursday, June 11, 2020 12:04 PM >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> *Subject:* Re: Two articles on Policing >> >> >> >> Dear Colleagues: >> >> >> >> >> >> With all due respect, I simply cannot support a "50-50, he said, she >> said" approach to the analysis the state of policing and justification >> systems invoked to support particular agendas. Please feel free to ignore >> the following "rant" from a stereotypical "left-wing" sociologist, yours >> truly. I don't agree w/ that characterization, but what choice do I have? >> >> >> >> Even if one could step outside of the political firestorm, the social >> scientific theories and certainly the empirical evidence - including that >> which Heather MacDonald (author, btw, of a book that I read a couple years >> ago titled *The War on Cops*) cites - points to deep-seated biases & >> differential treatment, as well as real-life differential outcomes for what >> happens to "real people" in "real communities." But the discourse is so >> tilted in the U.S. (even moreso than in Canada where I live) that it would >> take far too much time to make the case for why even much of the discourse >> even in the current framing tends to be far more "right-wing" and >> conservative, as well as at odds with the social scientific literature. >> MacDonald states that "I urge this committee to reject the proposition that >> law enforcement today is systemically biased. The evidence does not support >> that charge." And yet her own highly distorted & limited presentation of >> the numbers *still* provides evidence of biases in policing and >> disproportionate surveillance & criminalization of African-American (and >> racialized minorities) in general. And, of course, she ignores the far >> wider range of evidence that's even more damning and that would subvert her >> claims entirely. >> >> >> >> But here's the bigger point. Most people ignore the fact that if you want >> "more crime," then hold constant civilian behavior and simply increase the >> number of police. More surveillance alone leads to more crime, all else >> constant. More people looking for "bad behavior" will lead to more >> observations, more arrests, etc. And who's in positions to "identify" and >> "observe" and then "sanction" perceived crime? Those in positions of social >> advantage and power. And that story has not changed all that much, despite >> the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Law enforcement continues to be >> highly skewed and biased, almost regardless of the metric that you use. >> Tons of empirical stuff does not even get counted, such as the # of times >> that people who are stopped for "identical reasons" if you could hold all >> else constant (e.g., speeding) end up being treated *differently* on the >> basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or any # of other social factors, to say >> nothing of human psychology, that might affect how transactions & >> interactions unfold. Where's all that data? Nowhere. And yet, do a thought >> experiment with me. Imagine if you were to test all the police in terms of >> their propensities for implicit bias or even overt manifestations of >> racism? What if you did comprehensive personality profiles? What would you >> find? And, then take that a step further. Despite the training they receive >> (often only 12 weeks or less), how might they end up interacting with >> "random" samples of people from the general public? What do you think you >> *might* find if you were to really study these issues in-depth and >> scientifically? Do you think you might see various forms of differential >> treatment, especially if "unfiltered" (although, apparently in the case of >> some officers like Derek Chauvin, it really doesn't even matter if the >> camera is rolling)? What would be the distribution in terms of the general >> police force, even if 90% were totally enlightened, fair-minded individuals >> committed to the highest aspirations of the "protect and serve" philosophy >> (btw, the evidence on who the police "are" from social scientific research >> paints a vastly different picture)? So, if "only" 10% act on their biases, >> what effect would that have & who would disproportionately be targeted? And >> so on. >> >> >> >> And so the problems are far more deep-seated. If you want certain groups >> to be targeted, then increase police presence & see what happens. For >> example, what happens to "peaceful protesters" if there are more police >> around to "watch"? Forget the rioting and looting - how many arrests of >> looters have been caught on tape (and even then there are other issues to >> consider)? How many peaceful protesters have been beaten, or tear-gassed, >> or abused in one way or another? >> >> >> >> If there's a call to "de-fund" the police, does that mean no policing >> services? Or does that mean shifting some of the funding to investments in >> other types of services, education, health, infrastructure, opportunities, >> and investments in "poor" communities? Even among self-identified >> "liberals," how many want to live among and work with the poorest of the >> poor, be the awesome teachers I had in Fairfax County in the 1970s (white, >> privileged, wealthy, and largely segregated outside of TC Williams!) for >> young people "at risk" in those communities, move their families & live >> among & befriend those in the poorest neighbourhoods, and invest in small >> businesses or have their larger corporations relocate in those communities >> to create work incentives? And who's providing the health and social >> services, working with those suffering from substance abuse problems, or >> coaching the kids in sports and extra-curricular activities? No, none of >> THAT stuff can really be "legislated" and you certainly cannot force people >> to live in more integrated or diverse 'hoods, but at least recognize that >> much of the funding and tax relief directly benefits the wealthy (as Billie >> Eilish might sing, "Duh") and those in positions of power, including the >> police & the military. Far more money is spent on the U.S. military (yes, >> that's *directly* relevant to this discussion) and to U.S. policing than >> to all other publicly-funded health and human services. Not even close, >> especially if you set aside social security (which no one seems to define >> as "socialism" in the U.S., but I digress...) But what's the narrative >> being advanced in halls of power and certainly by the Trumpian leadership >> on the right? >> >> >> >> I cannot even begin to do justice to the thousands of scientific research >> studies that demonstrate the full range of biases and inequalities built >> into the systems of advanced-industrial democracies in general, to say >> nothing of what's happening in the most extremely polarized & militarized >> system on the face of the planet: the U.S. military-industrial complex, >> who funding exceeds the next 10 countries in the world combined. I'm sorry, >> but I have spent my life trying to understand human behavior and, >> specifically crime, violence, and social control - and none of that (or the >> best of the work by the top leaders and pioneers in the field) gets >> noticed, acknowledged, or built into most of the discussions. Speaking only >> for myself, I think I may have reached the end of my career in even trying >> to have intelligent conversations about any of this stuff any longer. I'm >> sure I sound like a raving idiot. I just wish people could see at least >> *some* of the arguments and evidence as to how far to the right the >> discourse & justifications have shifted to the right. The one small kernel >> of hope? Some white protesters getting beaten again randomly & for no >> reason being detained are starting to ask, "Hey, I can't believe I'm being >> attacked for simply 'living my life' and 'being here'." No shit. That's >> what African-Americans and Indigenous peoples and racialized minorities >> have been saying for centuries. Duh. >> >> >> >> Or, as a right-wing nutcase brother of mine once complained, "I can't >> believe a group of young black kids stopped & yelled at me 'hey Honky' >> while I was playing tennis in LA." He was so angry that these youngsters >> would throw that epithet in his direction, unprovoked & without knowing >> him. I thought: Great, a teachable moment. I asked him to reflect on how >> angry he got that this happened to him exactly once and as a successful, >> wealthy, 40-something lawyer w/ a multi-million dollar home. And could he >> imagine how his African-American counterpart might feel who experienced >> this type of prejudice, bias, and discrimination regularly from the time of >> being a child right on up throughout one's life. No, not *everyone* would >> act that way toward the African-American walking among them. MOST people >> would be kind and treat each person fairly and with respect. But, that >> said, how many in the population would treat the racialized minority or the >> "other" differently, negatively, and/or with hostility? And how many times >> would that have happened over the many years? And what impact would that >> have on one's self-esteem, confidence, or general feeling of well-being? >> And yet look at what impact, my dear brother, just ONE incident had upon >> your mental health and well-being as a successful grown man. He still >> doesn't get it, and never will. >> >> >> >> So much more to say, but I'll move along as an "old guy" now. But, in >> contrast to a lot of others in my generation, I have a different sign on my >> lawn. It's not "get off my lawn", but rather "all are welcome - come and >> hang out on my lawn & I'll even get you a drink if you're thirsty..." Best, >> -joe >> >> >> >> Dr. Joseph H. Michalski >> >> King’s University College at Western University >> >> 266 Epworth Avenue, DL-201 >> >> London, Ontario, Canada N6A 2M3 >> >> Tel: (519) 433-3491 >> >> Email: [log in to unmask] >> >> ______________________ >> >> *ei*π + 1 = 0 >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion < >> [log in to unmask]> on behalf of Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx >> <[log in to unmask]> >> *Sent:* Thursday, June 11, 2020 7:47 AM >> *To:* [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >> *Subject:* Two articles on Policing >> >> >> >> Dear TOK List, >> >> >> >> For folks who are interested in understanding the divergent >> “justification systems” that are operating about the state of policing in >> this country, I recommend the following articles: >> >> >> >> Heather MacDonald is a conservative scholar who has long argued that the >> fundamental progressive narrative about brutal cops as an aggregate is >> misguided. This is a transcript of her testimony to congress yesterday: >> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.city-2Djournal.org_repudiate-2Dthe-2Danti-2Dpolice-2Dnarrative&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=lXkirlPsEB4UpThKjZjTCSCAABNtdY6sXuJLlx17Xu4&s=Pre8rkmuBfvnH0YgFMPA672Il1o2zu-ll1C81Rg5GqY&e= >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.city-2Djournal.org_repudiate-2Dthe-2Danti-2Dpolice-2Dnarrative&d=DwMF-w&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=h6kB7iQCbvdCGiWf2dX8DsIsU4IDPEmOLWq59xpgmxA&s=2s_tONfe_Ppbxvo1_VFMw_2AtomzpYiwXjJUPwpWx2E&e=> >> >> >> >> Nicholas Kristof is a liberal NY Times columnist who has long advocated >> for social justice causes. This is his call for how to effectively think >> about “defunding the police”: >> >> >> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nytimes.com_2020_06_10_opinion_defund-2Dpolice-2Dfloyd-2Dprotests.html-3Fcampaign-5Fid-3D2-26emc-3Dedit-5Fth-5F200611-26instance-5Fid-3D19255-26nl-3Dtodaysheadlines-26regi-5Fid-3D35223894-26segment-5Fid-3D30632-26user-5Fid-3D8e4f03af2447d5adeb5069c9fb9bdf47&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=lXkirlPsEB4UpThKjZjTCSCAABNtdY6sXuJLlx17Xu4&s=P7XnIaJT2ILhHWP7as-G7czx735xJ9lzb6wyuXFJ-f0&e= >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nytimes.com_2020_06_10_opinion_defund-2Dpolice-2Dfloyd-2Dprotests.html-3Fcampaign-5Fid-3D2-26emc-3Dedit-5Fth-5F200611-26instance-5Fid-3D19255-26nl-3Dtodaysheadlines-26regi-5Fid-3D35223894-26segment-5Fid-3D30632-26user-5Fid-3D8e4f03af2447d5adeb5069c9fb9bdf47&d=DwMF-w&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=h6kB7iQCbvdCGiWf2dX8DsIsU4IDPEmOLWq59xpgmxA&s=pmUhEi7QK-PfiU3_NKYdXNTORTXOCsIISOzgZPnoEXI&e=> >> >> >> >> >> >> NEXT MONDAY at 5:30 pm EDT we will be having Professor Mike Mascolo >> offer his insightful framework for understanding conflict, and bridging >> divides to create common ground. A formal announcement will be coming soon. >> >> >> Best, >> Gregg >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the >> following link: >> http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 >> >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the >> following link: >> http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the >> following link: >> http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 >> > > > -- > [image: photo] > *Ari in the Air* > Athlete & Filmmaker > > 4582926933 > Bend Oregon > > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.youtube.com_channel_UCLdxnh60DzDlR-5FAYhF3CzlQ-3Fview-5Fas-3Dsubscriber&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=zBJ6lBDpCiQ4Bhq3euXX5MZVnTU26c6Dwa6pgV0hj3Q&s=O89dNW0xRW7L4-xJj56GO54LUXCCu8PE2vW0n0WBhjs&e=> > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__instagram.com_ariintheair&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=zBJ6lBDpCiQ4Bhq3euXX5MZVnTU26c6Dwa6pgV0hj3Q&s=fA4PKO22v7mqA91xMbR1DnTGUi8TNVEkPVWmb9E1GdA&e=> > Create your own WiseStamp email signature > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.wisestamp.com_signature-2Din-2Demail_-3Futm-5Fsource-3Dpromotion-26utm-5Fmedium-3Dsignature-26utm-5Fcampaign-3Dcreate-5Fyour-5Fown-26srcid-3D6097410891841536&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=zBJ6lBDpCiQ4Bhq3euXX5MZVnTU26c6Dwa6pgV0hj3Q&s=R7ezOAhiMuwIU7MVO9orENT8biPp2-q85EAxoRARvhk&e=> > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > ############################ To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1