Defund the Police

As part of further educating myself on racism and oppression in America, I’ve been reading a lot about the concept of “defunding the police.” While the terminology is alarming to some, it’s a concept with merit and something I’m increasingly getting behind.

Police departments are overburdened, dealing with the fallout of systemic problems like racial inequality, poverty, mental health, and drug abuse. Without a proactive approach, these problems are addressed only in crisis, and a violent outcome is more likely. Trust diminishes between the police and the people. Lines are drawn, sides are chosen, and both sides tear each other down, rather than building each other up as one community.

Defunding the police means reducing grossly inflated city police budgets and investing money directly into our poor and disadvantaged neighborhoods. It’s not about abolishing all law enforcement, but rather rethinking the outdated model of criminal justice that targets black & brown communities disproportionately.

It is greater than the reforms that keep being instituted, and continue to be flouted.

Thanks to Kyle Hart for an excellent rundown on the concept and what it means for my city. Also check out Defund 12 for more details about what your city needs to do to look at these issues.