What’s Next?

Still in the midst of the protests after the tragic news of George Floyd’s death and I have one question, what’s next? Anyone that knows me knows that I’m not the protest type but that doesn’t mean that I don’t get the protest nor do I respect the protestors. I believe that we all have a part to play in this world and when situations like this arise I believe I am more equipped for the stage that comes next after the protesting has gotten the point across. This situation blew up after another African American man was killed by a police officer and rather than taking this news laying down people took to the streets to protest a common issue, police brutality and lack of accountability. There have been various instances where a police officer has killed someone in the line of duty, unjustly, and has received little to no repercussions for their actions. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. But now I wonder what’s next.

My opinion on what should happen next involves defunding the police union. As any union their main job is the safety and comfortability of their client. It just happens that their client is the police officers. They have lawyers on retainer to assist when any police officer may happen to have a misstep throughout their tenure. Unfortunately this is one of those jobs where the worker should have minimal missteps. Not saying that it is not going to happen but that it should happen so frequently and when it does happen they shouldn’t be let off with a slap on the wrist.

We want the police to stop using excessive force but there is no incentive for them to do so. They may get suspended or fired but in a couple of months they’ll pop up in another town as an officer again to wreak havoc on that community. The Earn Your Leisure podcast discussed putting the financial burden on the officers when they get sued. Rather than it going to the union and they take care of it, the officers should take care of any payout for settlements and when they do get in trouble, they get a pay decrease. Once their money is in jeopardy, their behavior should change.

I don’t know what the answer is. Even the above suggestions may be wrong but I’m constantly thinking of a way for things to change. While these protests are going on we need to have these conversations. What are we going to do next or are these protests all that we are doing. Do we have a next plan of attack? Or are we going to let the world go back to what it was 3 weeks ago?