Correctness Isn't Political

Being Politically Correct is not entirely a bad thing, although it often gets dubbed as such. Being Politically Correct requires and demonstrates the ability to include multiple perspectives. This panoramic lens is crucial to finding a solution based on collaboration, sensitivity and diplomacy. It offers many views and, naturally, many methods to a solution. Like it or not, it is key to navigating through the landscape of politics.

But being correct is altogether different. In many things in life, there is in fact a correct way to do things. There is no room for debate, or speculation, or alternatives. It is a clear and un-muddled method to conduct a task that will consistently bring us an understood and desired conclusion.

What happened here in Minnesota, in my own backyard a few nights ago, illustrates a wrong that must be corrected. Millions of people have now witnessed the death, in real time, of a 32-year-old American, Philando Castile, shot to death after being pulled over for a broken tail light.

It is outrageous, heartbreaking and inexcusable.

What happened in Dallas, in my own country a few nights later, illustrates a wrong that must be corrected. Twelve people shot, five of which died, during a protest over the killing of black men by police.

It is outrageous, heartbreaking and inexcusable.

Mr. Castile was by all accounts an upstanding citizen. He worked for the St. Paul public school system, he’s been praised by colleagues as a calm man who always tried to help others. He was a beloved son, a boyfriend, and a father figure to a four-year-old little girl. He was also black.

The men in Dallas dedicated their lives to a profession that takes an enormous amount of mettle, having to make split second decisions every day, that if they chose wrong, could cost them their lives. They were dads and husbands, brothers and sons. They were also police officers.

I don’t think anyone can dispute the injustice of both of these incidents, nor the entangled relationship they have to one another. As trust between law enforcement and citizens erodes due to highly publicized brutality events to African-Americans, and as retaliation and contempt for law enforcement grows in the community, it becomes clear to me that we’re doing it wrong. It must be corrected.

We have problems. Racism is real. It is beyond emotions and perspectives; it also includes hard data. The statistics on black crime rates, black murder rates, and cop killings of blacks are complex and I’m not an expert in them. But in the end, black people can be portrayed as violent, uneducated and angry. And some are. But not all of them. Not by a long shot.

Police officers are tasked with an extremely difficult job of keeping the peace, enforcing the law and providing assistance to the friendless and jobless and unstable. They suffer daily encounters of rude people and criminals of all sorts, an unfortunately disproportionate number of whom are black. But in the end, police officers can be portrayed as egotistical, racist and abusive. And some are. But not all of them. Not by a long shot.

Our President stated the recent events in Minnesota and Texas should be viewed, not about being politically correct, but about being American. Being American should speak to every fair-minded person who wants to live up to our best and highest ideals.

I believe for some things there is only a correct way to be. How we interact with people in our community is one such thing. This correctness should not rely on our race, socio-economic status, or power of authority. This correctness should be simple and clear; engage with one another with respect and compassion, and value every life.

A method that will consistently bring us an understood and desired conclusion.

This blog is dedicated to all that have been lost to obvious racial injustice and those in the line of duty who protect us from harm. Every Life Matters.

This blog is a personal opinion piece and does not represent any business or organization I work with.