There are compelling critiques that the entire industry of social measurement itself is a tool of social control by the dominant power On Thu, Jun 11, 2020 at 5:07 PM Liz Swan <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > 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=C-AZSt32-UBXviN65n9-TnRRZdtkCEXgTS_gvec9GkI&s=4EGG0xU-4dM5zeVJe-8GqItyOy2dDawxtJbeA8gGC-E&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=C-AZSt32-UBXviN65n9-TnRRZdtkCEXgTS_gvec9GkI&s=6h5dBD7-6czpKHOqOaivQ2RSsH12L0WEs1KESzsyf6M&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=C-AZSt32-UBXviN65n9-TnRRZdtkCEXgTS_gvec9GkI&s=nRbEg9KAcWjw65ybTyjNqWd0Ya0MwQSkDDD7L3iDIj8&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 > ############################ 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