this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2023
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How would you explain why cops are bad with a single one-liner? (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I was chatting with an acquaintance earlier today. I said something to the effect of “I would consider it the worst parenting fail if my daughter became a cop”. This acquaintance then asked why that was, probably with about 50% indignation and 50% genuine curiousity.

Honestly, I kind of drew a blank. Like, I know how to explain it in a long post or like a missive, but I really couldn’t think of how to explain to someone who probably isn’t a leftist in just a quick comment. So I just went with:

“Well all they do is beat up on black kids”

Which… is of course correct. But tbh I fell that answer is just missing a lot. A beat later I almost said something about how cruel they are to homeless folks around here but by then moment had passed.

How would you all explain - in the span of a single one-liner - why cops are bad? I’m not looking to knock someone over with my impressive rhetoric or whatever. Not looking to convince them. Just so I can feel I articulated my position correctly. Just got my own sense of pride. Help me out here.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

One more angle: They actively target and harass homeless people, poor people, and people of color, especially Black and Indigenous people. Most of their time is spent on specified patrol routes, speed traps, sitting around doing nothing (or occasionally busywork), or going after people for loitering.