I had a short conversation with a woman who works at my doctor's office today.
I have been mulling over our conversation for hours now. Such a brief little joking comment stirred up an entire dilemma in my mind. The conversation was about summer and travel. I joked about Xanax for the flying trips. I then made a joke about flying United thus needing the Xanax before we ever take off. Perhaps you have heard about the man drug off of his United flight in recent news? (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/business/united-flight-passenger-dragged.html) The words that she spoke in reply have mystified me all day long. "He should have gotten up and got off the plane"she said to me.
I am a thinker. I often take a comment and mull it overs for hours. I like to learn and grow with the theories behind people's beliefs. I want to test myself and the beliefs I hold- to figure out all the possibilities.
I admit, I would have done exactly as any officer asked of me. Why would that have been my action? Assuming I had paid for my ticket and boarded with all proprieties met, why would I bend to unfair treatment?
Upon introspection it is not because I should have to give up my seat to a higher bidder. It is not because it is customary or lawful to be forced out of my purchased seat.
No, it is because I am afraid officers might come break out my teeth. I fear being beaten senseless because I dared to stand up for my rights as a human, citizen and customer.
I am no police hater. I support catching bad guys. Going after people who are out to hurt innocent people is a noble cause. I have respect for anyone who acts with integrity and serves as a protector to their fellow man.
I do have a big problem with all misuse of authority.
I am always baffled by police interventions that do not involve any broken laws. How is such a matter within the scope of their duties. Who decides it is a police matter when no laws are being broken and no one is in any danger?
I am pondering these questions as I get back to the United flight. I consider my reply, "I would have given up my seat. But I always respect those who stand up for their rights because without them, we would have no rights."
I do not believe the police have any authority to oversee company policies. Policies are not the same as laws. The officers could have told United Airlines that this was not their business- this was a matter for a courtroom. The police are only needed to arrest an airline employee who physically removes a peaceful, paying passenger from his seat.
We blindly accept the actions of anyone considered an authority in our society. People, as well as officers, believe that questioning authority in itself is a crime.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_cop) There is even a belief among many that disrespect of authority is worthy of grievous battery. Punishment is carried out by officers without any court ruling or guilty verdict.
What does it mean to be an American?
We are safe to know and exercise our rights.
We are free to live without fear of unfair authority or injustice because we have a Bill of Rights and a Constitution.
We are innocent until proven guilty within those rights and have the right to a jury of our peers.
We have become numb to the truth and forgotten what freedom looks like. Though we know the words "I support" we have lost sight of freedom as being unafraid to exercise our rights. To actually support freedom we stand up for justice. We have lost our sense of morality and integrity as we defend bullies and shame victims.
The undeniable truth surrounding this whole ordeal for me can be boiled down to four points of law.
1. Officers of the law are not meant to enforce company policies.
2. It is still not a crime to disrespect authority. We remain free to be complete assholes as long as we remain peaceful. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failure_to_obey_a_police_order)
3. No amount of perceived danger or disrespect empowers an officer to assault, beat, gun down or in any way harm innocent civilians. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_killings_by_law_enforcement_officers)
4. Justice is for courtrooms not streets or airplane cabins.
5. "In accordance with human rights law, victims have a right to forcibly resist police brutality where absolutely necessary to prevent serious and irreparable harm. Notably, police brutality entailing extrajudicial killings, torture and inhuman treatment may be resisted."(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_brutality)
5. "In accordance with human rights law, victims have a right to forcibly resist police brutality where absolutely necessary to prevent serious and irreparable harm. Notably, police brutality entailing extrajudicial killings, torture and inhuman treatment may be resisted."(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_brutality)
I feel we must bring to light how often we can no longer trust the people who are supposed to uphold justice and protect the innocent in our country. Fellow officers are supporting these transgressions and become angry at people who oppose the wrongdoing.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_wall_of_silence) Even our courts are often not upholding justice for wronged citizens and punishing wrongdoing by authorities.
The U.S. Supreme Court
has consistently held that officers be given the benefit of the doubt
that they acted lawfully in fulfilling their duties, a position
reaffirmed in Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194 (2001).[4]"
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_wall_of_silence)
I am not asking anyone to become unruly or even disrespectful. I do not believe we must take justice into our own hands. I am asking for support for the people who are putting themselves in harms way to right wrongs by authority figures. Let's help by standing up for their rights, even when they acted lawfully but disrespectfully. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_and_legal_rights) Remember your rights and expect that they be supported and protected. Let's defend freedom and live as our forefather's believed American's were meant to.
