What would you do?

Here we are, yet again, watching the appalling video of a POC being murdered ruthlessly for no reason, and by law enforcement.  May 2020 has been an ugly month for POC, but let's face it...every day is hard for POC in America.  And it is impossible to continue to sit by and watch without saying anything.  

America has a war on its hands, and it is time that our Government do something about it by enacting real change that will truly make a difference.  If I were the President of the United States of America, I would do the following:

• I would give an Oval Office Address telling POC I see you, I hear you and I mourn with you.  
• I would call together an emergency joint session of congress and I would task Congress with creating committees made up of congressional leaders, business leaders, and advocates to overhaul systems in the United States that are geared towards a specific subset of the country.  I would also assign the appropriate cabinet level representatives to sit on these committees focusing on areas that they oversee and I would encourage them to not only create sound policy and legislation but to actually do the research on what would work or could work and create legislation that could be implemented.  Money and affordability is always going to be an issue, but I guarantee that there are many things that could be done, changed or implemented that would make great differences in the way things operate in the US (and a lot of these policies probably would not be all that costly.
• This will not be easy, but let's face it...the hardest things are the most rewarding and it is time that we overhaul the way we work.  WHEN WE STAND UNITED, WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER AND BETTER AS A PEOPLE.  This isn't just about POC and Black Lives...but this is about the health and success of the United States and its future.  

1) Criminal Justice System Reform and Policing - I would implement reform of the whole system and encourage the Attorney General to create a plan to fix the broken system on all levels to address incarceration rates, recidivism, programs to rebuild the lives of people convicted of crimes, police interactions and community policing models to offer better programs and opportunities for communities and police to work together, implement tougher screening processes of police officers and implement 0-tolerance policies for incidents regarding inappropriate policing behavior.  I would also establish an ethical council to look at and evaluate previous police-related brutality situations and to investigate whether the situations were handled correctly and appropriately.  We can ensure that those lost will always be remembered and that their loss, though tragic and unjust, can serve as an opportunity to bring about real change to policing methods and investigations into these matters

2) Education - I would invest more money into areas of lower-income and urban environments.  Ensuring that schools are giving people in these communities the best possible chance for success.  Implementing honors and AP classes, installing trained teachers and counselors into the school to establish opportunities to talk about college, the future and success.  Giving hope is extremely important in sparking fire for the future.  I would also establish stronger curriculums in schools to talk about diversity, embracing diversity and being aware of all people different from you.  We have a captive audience and it is time we really focus on what our schools are teaching people in relationship to difference.  

3) Fear and Communities - studies prove that people who live in violent neighborhoods and communities have a higher chance of being killed but also have a higher chance of being a perpetrator of violence later.  I would implement opportunities in communities to stop the fear.  Why do gangs exist?  Gangs exist as a form of protection.  I would reach out to gang members and find ways to stop this violence.  

4) Gun Reform - I would enact gun reform that would ensure that specific weapons could not be bought or sold and that smart technology would be developed on guns to ensure that guns are not being mis-used.  Think about how the automakers created anti-theft technology in cars to solve a problem of automobile theft in the 1990s and 2000s.  

5) Drugs - We have a problem in this country with drugs and it is time we address it.  Drugs have become a major commodity and many acts of violence happen because of drugs.  Drugs are an easy way to make lots of money and better one's place in life but it also comes with all the dangers that surround communities that suffer from drug use and transaction.  

6) Jobs and the minimum wage - I would find ways to offer better paying job opportunities to people in lower income classes so that they can actually have a fighting chance to get out of where they are and advance.  Creating job opportunities that are meaningful, worthwhile, rewarding and pays well is extremely important.  I would raise the minimum wage to ensure that people are able to earn a living wage.  If prices of rent, utilities, etc are going up every year, wages should go up to accommodate and pay for these increases.  

7) Hate and Discrimination have no place in this country.  I understand fully that you will never be able to remove racism or intolerance from people, but I would enact new laws and policies that embrace the human dignity and rights of everyone.  All humans rights are civil rights and I would make it the Status Quo that violence towards, against or discrimination towards any marginalized group is not acceptable and not tolerable.  I would add the appropriate designations and distinctions to the civil rights act and ensure all people are protected under these laws regardless of race, gender, orientation, ethnicity, religious belief, etc.   All lives matter when Black Lives Matter...is true...but all lives matter when all lives matter and it is high time that we embrace it.  You will never be able to convince everyone that all people's lives have value (sadly, right), but you can enact stronger policies towards discrimination, hate crimes, and intolerance.  

8) Healthcare reform - I would create better healthcare for everyone.  Sadly healthcare is extremely expensive and not affordable and because of this it creates a major divide in this country between people who can and cannot afford it. Healthcare would no longer be for the rich or privileged, but for everyone.  

Please feel free to drop a comment, policy or idea that you would implement to improve the current state of America and what is going on presently around our issue with Racism...


#FreddieGray, #EricGarner, #WalterScott, #AmadouDiallo, #YvonneSmallwood, #RandyEvans, #ClaudeReese, #CliffordGlover, #KeithScott, #TerrenceCrutcher, #JohnCrawford, #CoreyJones, #PhilandoCastile, #SandraBland, #OscarGrant, #SeanBell, #TrayvonMartin, #Charleston9, #TamirRice, #MikeBrown, #AiyanaJones, #AltonSterling, #JordanDavis, #JordanEdwards, StephonClark, #RenishaMcBride, #JonathanFerrell, #BothemSean, #AtatianaJefferson, #AmaudArbery, #GeorgeFloyd