Fix racist policing by focusing on ethics, inclusion in training
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Happy reading!
Fix racist policing by focusing on ethics, inclusion in training
By Jim Wallis
Reading through the legal debate about qualified immunity is exhausting. It’s all about procedures for limiting the accountability of police officers accused of misconduct, including the use of excessive force and even lethal violence.
But I am not going to talk about the legal definition of qualified immunity. I’m going to talk about its moral, religious and practical implications.
What qualified immunity means morally and practically today in America is letting white police officers get away with misconduct against Black people. The Rev. Darren Ferguson made the point even more sharply when he told me recently, “Qualified immunity gives white police officers carte blanche to fire at will.”
This is a hard truth. But the evidence is convincing.
Today's Editorial Cartoon
Don't exploit me as a teacher. Pay me for my time.
By Larry Strauss
The extra time and effort and stress of creating and teaching new classes, and sometimes having to research and learn the subject ourselves? It comes with the territory. Along with all the rest of the unpaid overtime.
And if you don’t submit, then you must not care about your students. I’ve seen teachers shamed that way into chaperoning dances and proms without compensation. I’ve seen students used as agents of that shame.
Come to think of it, I wasn’t always so enthusiastic about the exploitation.
Congratulations, US Olympians! Please be safe in China.
By James Risch and Nikki Haley
You have put in the hard work and shown remarkable commitment, grit and skill in order to get to this point in your athletic careers. To be named a U.S. Olympian is one of the world’s greatest honors, and your fellow Americans are excited to cheer you on and celebrate your incredible accomplishments. Above all, we hope this experience is a happy and memorable time for you and your families.
While we want to congratulate you on making it this far, we do think it’s important to recognize a few other important factors related to the host country. This year’s Winter Olympics is being held in a high-risk and potentially dangerous political environment. No one traveling to China will have the privacy and freedom he or she is accustomed to in the United States or other Western countries. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it clear it will defer to Chinese domestic law when it comes to athletes’ fundamental human rights.
Other columns to read today
- In Texas, the post-Roe v. Wade future is already here
- Syrian torture victims told me their stories. Finally, justice begins.
- I avoided drugs, gangs in school, but I can't give depression the slip
- Happy Lunar New Year: Hey Tiger, good luck! We'll need it.
Columns on qualified immunity
We are doing a series examining the issue of qualified immunity. For more on the series read here.
- Police case gave Supreme Court a chance to protect your rights to record cops. It whiffed.
- Courts must hold rogue cops accountable everywhere – even at the dentist
- Five ways to reform policing, starting with qualified immunity
- 'I had seen that smirk before': Vestiges of slavery still haunt our legal system
This newsletter was compiled by Jaden Amos.