This shouldn't be an extraordinary story. This type thing happens everyday in all walks of life on both ends of race.
When I was young, broke and stupid, I had cops helping me out of car messes all the time. The vast majority of officers were protective, kind and compassionate to me back then.
It’s about half and half now. But I never forget the good half even while I regret the interactions our family, especially my sons, has had with the mean and unjust half!
I have been wondering lately if some of the cops who are mean today are suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome. I wonder if they are counseled when needed or if they have to just stuff their anxiety and pretend everything is fine and dandy to keep their reputation and jobs.
We live in a foreign, amoral, evil, nasty society these days - not like when I was young. I have the money to move away from the nasties and I have God to protect me so I am not scared. But officers have to deal with the aggressive amorals day in and day out. Maybe a lot of the meanies are just plain scared of people.
It would not be a stretch for them to feel that all people are bad because so many they meet are bad. Ofcourse, their interactions get worse as a result of the ones who abuse the public. I don’t know how this cycle is broken except through Christ’s love, protection and healing. I would bet money this officer Matt is a Christian. He was not scared and he showed great compassion to a young person.
Which means that her children weren't raised with a chip on their shoulder, looking for conflict everywhere they turn.
-PJ
A little more explanation here. It was about 7:30 on a Sunday morning. We had just finished a week at the Mouse with 3 small children and the van was jammed. I had to unload much of it to get to the spare and jack.
I managed to get the van jacked up and had just gotten the wheel lugs off when a Florida state trooper car pulled up behind us. The a rather petite female trooper walks up and asks, "Have a flat?" Without looking up, I replied, "No thank you. I already have one." She laughed so hard I thought she was going to pee herself. She helped me finish the change and told me that there was no place in area open on Sunday that could replace the tire. She sent me into Daytona.
We found a Firestone open opposite the Speedway that was open during the Daytona 500. You know a flat was bad when they call all the staff over to look at a tire. Fortunately the tire was under warranty and they replaced it for a minimal charge.
"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)