White Democrat voters think they're doing their black neighbors a favor by voting to either defund the police, or change what police do, in nearly every major metropolis across the U.S. The trouble is, the greatest pushback they're getting is from those same black neighbors.
Minneapolis is a case study. It's where last summer's protests began after the murder of George Floyd, and as such, has been at the leading edge of police reforms. The city, and especially the city's leaders, have been more open than anyone to the idea of changing what police do.
As NPR reported: "Thirteen days after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd, nine city council members stood on a stage at Powderhorn Park. At their feet were giant block letters that spelled out the words "defund police." And ever since then, the city council has taken several swipes at making that happen.
In a recent poll by The Star Tribune/MPR/Kare 11 and Frontline, Minneapols Democats supported the total replacement of the police force by a startling 55% majority. The problem with these numbers, is when you break them up by race, 75% of black voters believe the police force should not be reduced in size, compared to just 51% of white voters.
The picture becomes clear that white Democrats think they're benefitting the black community by doing this. But they haven't bothered to ask the black community.
Democrats often claim that Republicans are the racist problem in America, and that white people, through privilege, have set policy for far too long for the black U.S.
population. However, in this poll, only 7% of Republicans support total replacement of the police force.
The arrogance shows through. We often talk about politicians being the problem, but in this case it's white Democrat voters who have declared themselves superior to their black neighbors by telling them, "we know what's best for you."
That's irresponsible.
And it's racist. But the people doing it probably don't see it that way. They're trying to make a difference, and make things better. More than racist, it's just lazy.
Real social justice warriors care about these things. Unfortunately, we don't have many real social justice warriors. We have socially conscious citizens with good intentions who are being manipulated, and don't put any actual work into change. Consider the Minneapolis City Council's charter amendment to replace the police. The socially conscious Democrats of Minneapolis support this, because they think it's change. They check the box, and they move on. But do most of them know:
1. It replaces the "Minneapolis Police Department" with a "Division of Law Enforcement."
2. It supposedly changes, dramatically, who the police report to. Instead of the mayor, it has them report to the mayor and the city council (not a huge change).
And then this gobbledy gook:
3. It states new department will "integrate and oversee a continuum of public safety efforts that prevent, intervene in, and reduce crime and violence to create safer communities for everyone." -KSTP News
In other words, it's a bunch of nothing, designed to make white self-conscious voters feel good without actually doing anything. Nevermind that it will certainly cost Minneapolis money, and that the vast majority of black voters don't want these changes.
"Defund the police" is not always so toothless. Sometimes it's terribly dangerous. Real police officers everywhere are leaving the force or moving to safer climates, and the residents of cities are paying the price. Black residents, according to polls, don't want their white neighbors running off law enforcement.
The average white democrat voter should take note next time they try to "help."
Ryan Wiggins is the host of Wiggins America on 97.1 in St. Louis, MO, and the author of The Life of Human, a tongue-in-cheek science fiction robot novel.
