Policeman: Modern Day "Boogie Man" - And Response

  • Wednesday, November 26, 2014

As a child I was under the impression that a ghastly, grotesque creature had taken up residence in my bedroom closet, the proverbial “Boogie Man” I suppose.  This is not an uncommon thing among children and most likely to some fault of my own as I subjected myself to some pretty iconic 1980’s horror flicks. There were other kids in the neighborhood that not only claimed to have the same type shrouded vagabond in their homes, but gave claims to have heard it or even seen it. You can imagine nights waking up staring into the dark abyss that was my closet knowing that the sum of all my fears was lying in wait to take my life and steal my soul.

In recent years it seems that many, including the media, have spent a great deal of time creating imagery for a new age “Boogie Man.”  He dresses in all black, armed to the teeth; his skin is as pale as the horse that was ridden by death in the Book of Revelations. He carries bundles of chains and uses them to capture you and take you away. He is the “White Male American Police Officer.” 

The incident in Ferguson, Mo. has brought much of this to the forefront. In the days after Mike Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer the city came unglued. At the time there were zero facts presented, only speculation by the media and even more speculation by those in the community. The only thing that anyone knew was that Brown was unarmed and the person that pulled the trigger was a white cop.  Based on that information it was enough to riot, loot and commit other criminal acts.  

We fast forward to Nov. 24 when it was announced that Officer Boogie Man would not be criminally charged.  The crowd didn't care about facts, the evidence or the fact that some of the witnesses changed their story. The only thing they knew was that the “Boogie Man” was still out there and they wanted it strung up or caged.  I don’t have to go into detail about what has happened in Ferguson other than the fact that those in the streets didn't care about the truth. 

President Obama got on national television and one of the first statements he made was, “We are a nation of laws.” However obvious that may seem it doesn't necessarily mean that our laws are so transparent.  For instance, have you ever had a question about a specific law or situation? Did you look up the specific law and read it or did you call that cop buddy of yours? I would say more than likely you called that cop buddy, and why? Because sometimes reading the law is kinda like reading the instructions for a trundle bed purchased from IKEA.  The lack of transparency in our laws causes a lot of “perception” and even more so when we have encounters with law enforcement.  

Time and time again I read about someone was pulled over or stopped on the street where they follow up their encounter with, “then the cops searched me for no reason” or “then the cops took me to jail for no reason.”  If you believe that to be true, then stop reading now. There is always a reason for why police do whatever it is that they do regardless of whether or not you agree with it or fully understand why.  

People need to understand that cases are prosecuted on the basis of “perception.”  It is important to understand how perceptions are formed and much of that is filled with “emotion” or “experiences.”  Bad experiences and bad information results in faulty perceptions, as a result this leads to misdirection and disconnection.  Whenever you seek out facts and fully understand them, this results in direction and being connected.  The laws of the land were paramount in establishing the United States. The laws apply to everyone regardless of their status; however one thing they are not and that is something that is applied whenever it is convenient or whenever it fits your agenda. 

You cannot stand in the streets of any city of America and preach about how someone should be punished for a crime and when that doesn't happen you go out and commit acts of violence, theft, vandalism and arson.  How can you justify that?

How can you justify being an African American that is tired of being perceived as something negative or as all the same, but in the same breath talk about how you want to kill cops, because your perception is that all cops are crooked and the same? 

How do you justify burning personal property and stealing from businesses and then become enraged when police used tear gas? 

The fact of the matter is that one day I got tired of being afraid of the unknown “Boogie Man” in my closet. I could have easily set fire to it or filled the walls will bullet holes, but I didn't. I decided to face the unknown by seeking it out. I simply got up and turned on the light and much to my relief as the darkness gave way to light, there was nothing there.  It’s time we all turn on the light, arm ourselves in facts and not our or others perceptions. 

Timothy Bryce 

* * * 

Well said, young man. It expresses my views and opinions as well.  Thank you for sending it in.  

I was told the boogie man would get me when I was a young child.  But usually it was mom with a switch she made us pick ourselves, or dad with the belt.  

I grew up to respect my elders and be silent and watch and learn.  I am glad I had the mother and father I had.  I love and miss them everyday.  I was not abused, but taught right from wrong.  

Julia Buckner
Chattanooga

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