VOICE FROM THE SOUTH
By EMETERIO BARCELON, SJ
Fr. Emeterio Barcelon, SJ
The killing of black persons by the police in the US is reprehensible. Many attribute it to the bias among the whites in the southern states. But this is not enough reason to explain the problem with police killings. A big factor is the power of the police associations. They have been able to save from justice the police officers who have committed murder against black people. After waiting for some time the accused officers get off the hook for murder. This emboldened some police officers to oppress black people. If you are black you are then fair game for a very few who have criminal tendencies among the police. Now what has helped are the photo cameras in cell phones. Almost everybody now has a cell phone camera. Furthermore the police are now made to wear body cameras. The present demonstrations will now help once and for all to erase the stigma created by a very few police officers who are biased against the blacks.
The US demonstrations are trying to correct in their society something the 99% or more condemn. Why the mother of democracy has to suffer this indignity is unbelievable. The hope is that the present demonstrations will now result in legislation that will cut the power of the police unions. This we are not really sure if it will happen. In the past they have been able to get out without the proper legislation. We who are looking from the outside just marvel at the ineffectivilty of past efforts.
President Trump is trying with all effort to get re-elected. Most people do not see how he can do it. But you know most people in 2016 did not believe he could beat Hilary Clinton. But miracle of miracles, he did. This time with all the pundits saying he cannot do it, we will have to see what happens. He did the miraculous once before. We have to wait and see what will happen this November. Most people are hoping he will lose but no one is sure this will happen. It is almost sure that if he loses the election he will declare that he was cheated. He will declare a victory march and the we do not know what will happen to the mother of democracies.
Here in the Philippines we really do not care too much. President Trump has been friendly to us but what will happen to others who oppose him? It is fascinating to watch someone who is pushed to end of his rope. Hope all goes well and God bless America.