Watching the expanded coverage of the challenge for equality for all races in America at the same time we are also facing this daunting Corona Virus challenge it occurs to me that America is now facing TWO PANDEMICS: Corvid 19 and Racial injustice. One is new while the other has been with us, but ignored far too long.
Friday, Emporia was the scene of a large march to protest racial injustice. Admittedly I had concerns for my community because there were rumors of outside influences that might create undesired activities. I even had a nightmare with Commercial Street on fire!
Shortly before the event I called KVOE’s Chuck Samples and suggested he stay safe. If trouble started I did not want him to feel obligated to stick his nose in the middle of it. At KVOE we cover the news, we are not obligated to be the news.
Fortunately, the protest was well planned, well organized, and occurred without incident other than some heat-related problems.
Our local law enforcement people are to be thanked for their leadership and tactics in making this event peaceful. Emporia’s interim Chief of Police Ed Owens described on our On-Air Chat last week how he had reached out and met with the protest organizers and how the police were planning to not only protect the marchers and property but also walk with and participate in it. Sheriff Jeff Cope was all in with his colleague.
We are fortunate in Emporia to have a positive history and leadership in our law enforcement organizations.
Chief Owens when asked last week if he was aware of President Obama’s 21st Century Policing handbook, his response was, “yes,” but we started doing most of those things 15 years ago especially mentioning the good works of officer John Koelsch.
Being a cop might be the toughest job in America right now, so when Ed and Jeff both explained why they “loved being a cop,” it suggests a lot about the character of law enforcement locally.
Those “Unfund the Police” signs at protests have been hard to ignore. That’s not a good idea, but re-examining what we expect our policemen to do is a worthy goal. Maybe there are more efficient ways to meet the needs of society.
Listeners are encouraged to agree or disagree with me and to have opinions on the goings-on in America today, but whatever you think or do – please understand your voice is really only heard when you register and vote. That’s how America can really be great.
A big thank you to Chief of Police Ed Owens, who hopefully won’t be “interim Chief” much longer and Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope for their leadership.
I’m Steve Sauder and “There’s Something to Think About.”
