It is time to really DO SOMETHING MORE

It has been two and half years since I came back to Singapore. Moving back was tough, but on hindsight, this was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only did it bring me much-needed healing from academia, it also gave me another perspective to examine American politics and society.

I'm aware that my moderate-liberal leanings still colour my perspective, but the literal geographic distance has helped me see things from a larger lens as I'm not directly affected by immediate events in the United States.

When news of the George Floyd tragedy broke, I must confess that I felt partly-sad, partly-angry, and (don't hate me) partly-numb. It's not that I'm unsympathetic; it's just that George Floyd isn't the first innocent black man to be wrongfully killed due to excessive police violence. A quick google shoot will reveal the frequency that such incidents have occurred in the past few years alone. In fact, a common pattern emerges from such arrests:

Black person is (likely to be unfairly) arrested --> Police uses unnecessary, excessive force to hold down person --> accidentally or intentionally kills the arrested --> news spread --> flurry of postings on social media expressing opinions --> outrage and protests (sometimes leading to arrest of police officers) --> violence and looting --> (if police officers are acquitted --> even more protest and violence -->) people become disillusioned with the chaos --> then exhausted with subject and move on to the "next big thing" --> peace for a period --> cycle repeats. 

We've seen this cycle since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s (and before!), only now we have the privilege of recording and circulating these instances with greater ease #technologyrockswhenitworks I am fully supportive of using social media to spread awareness and effect change, and I'm sincerely glad that the right use of video recordings led to the arrest of the police officers in the George Floyd case, and the cold-blooded murderers of Ahmaud Arbery.

But I also feel that too many of us (I'm indicting myself as well) post our outrage, then pat ourselves on the back and say, "I've done my part. I've shown support for XYZ cause. Moving on now..." And because this happens too often, the cycle continues because society as a whole has not done anything to get to the root of the problem. Too often expressions of opinions and debates are posted on social media, and then left there with no real-life implications or impetus for change.

It doesn't help that (and this is based purely on my imperfect observation) people can't agree on the root cause of the problem, and the debate is strangely divided along political lines: conservatives blame police brutality; liberals, racism. Why is it one or the other, and not both? 😕

Nonetheless, whatever your opinions about why this cycle happens, we can all DO SOMETHING MORE TO SOLVE IT. If you believe this cycle is rooted in racism, fight against racism. If you believe that police brutality left unchecked is the true cause, curb and check police force. If you believe that (insert another reason) is the real reason, do something about it. But don't limit your activism to posting your outrage on social media when another black/ person of minority is wrongfully treated. We can all do more. 

Small and do-able suggestions:

• Catch yourself when you find yourself judging or making assumptions about someone because of their appearance;
• Watch a video (or more) about someone who is a minority in your country, and try to understand their point of view;
• Start a genuine friendship with someone who is of a different race/ religion from you. And if you already have such a friend, make another one;
• Learn about a different culture (I recommend starting with their food 😁);
• Listen to all sides of the debate with an open mind. You might not agree with everything said (there are some articles defending the looters...sorry, I flatly reject them), but it will give you cause to think;
• Vote for political leaders who propose sane and sensible laws that will protect all citizens;
• Vote out political leaders who don't propose sane and sensible laws that will protect all citizens; 
• Educate yourself on your laws and rights, so that you can hold law enforcement officers accountable;
• Require police officers to attend more training to learn how to de-escalate conflicts, and appropriately engage with suspects;
• Thank and recognise law enforcement officers who do their job right and treat everyone fairly;
• Speak up and speak out when someone is bullied or treated unfairly;
• Donate to a cause or charity that is fighting against racial inequality;
• Continue to use social media as a tool to promote the benefits of diversity, and spread awareness of injustice.
• etc... 

It's not hard; it just requires time, effort, and energy, which most of us are not willing to do because it requires more from us.

But until all of us do more, the cycle is going to continue. Not hard to predict at all.