While racism is certainly an ongoing and systematic issue, that doesn't
mean that we shouldn't people accountable for perpetuating. No Chief Olson
didn't invent racial profiling, nor is he the first one to try the solve
the problems of the world with more arrests and bullets and tear gas, but
that doesn't mean that he isn't responsible for his actions. The man is
the chief of police. It entails a little power and responsiblity.
The act of firing and holding accountable an irresponsible police chief
may not solve the problems of racism, but it can take us down the right
path. The other people we need to hold responsible are the mayor and the
city council and we need to ask serious questions of them as well.
Perhaps if those actions are taken, there could be a new relationship
between the police and the citizens (particularly citizens of color) that
will be more healthy. It is encumbant upon the police to create this
relationship. They created this atmosphere, and they need to make the
first move to solve it. Personally, I don't think they're capable of it...
not in this society at least.
Robert Wood anti-authoritarian marxist, green party member, and resident
of St. Paul who works at the University of Minnesota.
