In this diary, "you" and "you're" is a general pronoun directed at anyone on board with the "fuck the police" crap.
I understand some folks here have had bad experiences with police officers in the past, but that doesn't excuse the "fuck the police" stuff I've been seeing for the last few weeks. Cut it out. You will not win any type of messaging war with that kind of inflammatory shit.
First off, it's a surefire way to turn the public against whatever your cause is. Even if you're marching in support of cute puppies, shouting "fuck the police" will turn almost everyone against you. You will make no friends by shouting "fuck the police" at the top of your lungs. Most police officers are good people. There are some bad cops, but they're a minority. I had asshole teachers when I was in school, but I didn't call all teachers assholes and shout at them in their faces. I've had asshole waiters before, too, but it doesn't mar my opinion of waiters as a whole. Blanket-hating police officers because of the actions of a few is fucking stupid.
Secondly, do you really expect the police to act like kids on Christmas when you're shouting "FUCK YOU! FUCK THE POLICE!" in their faces? It's going to piss them off. Not only will it piss them off, but you'll look really good on the news when they show those clips. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong in the matter, if you're shouting "fuck the police" at the police, even if they're beating the shit out of you, you're the one who's going to look bad.
Thirdly, how many people saying "fuck the police" would agree never to dial 911 if they had an emergency? You can talk big now, but if something were really to happen, I'm sure very few would refrain from calling 911.
You're free to continue the "fuck the police" messaging at your own peril, but be aware that you're not only damaging your cause (is it still OWS? I think the actual message of OWS has gotten lost in the vendetta against the police officers), but you're also damaging the liberal brand. Remember...blanket judging works both ways -- the actions and words of a few liberals will harm the reputation of all of us.
I had to get that off my chest. Carry on.
2:30 PM PT: Leftcandid summed it up eloquently in the comments:
"Fuck the police!" --Gandhi, MLK, etc.
Yeah.
Be the change; THANK the police. Lots of them want to be obviously on our side, & e must give them the best opportunity to do so. As Howard Zinn put it, any chance at a just, equitable, moral society will depend at some point on a Revolt Of The Guards, aka the police & military.
Bring them to their senses, because we cannot bring them to their knees. It sucks to be victimized by bad cops, but remember those students getting basted by Officer Pepper Spray. Did they shout? No, they took it & showed the world who was moral & who wasn't. So must we all.
by Leftcandid on Sun Feb 26, 2012 at 04:27:49 PM CST