Cheering in Watertown

Cheering in Watertown

 

Douglas John Douglas I was very disturbed that a friend of mine cheered and spoke with hope and beauty regarding the death of the first guy. There was a lot of mob rule evidenced during this week. Then yesterday the cheering of the crowds in Watertown was a little off-putting at first.

about a minute ago · Like

 

Then I realized that these people are not really cheering for blood, but for the feeling of security they lost. All week people in and around Boston have had a VERY stressful week. They are mostly just glad to have their routine back. Moore rights a lot about the need for repetition, predictability and routine in our daily existence, and how sacred it is. How it nourishes the soul and adds depth to our lives. Just normal things like being on the train, going to work can do it. Whatever routine we have. All of these people were yanked out of their routine, and they are just glad to get back to it and for the people that helped them out. 

Really, it is pretty amazing, considering my experiences with cops, that after a week of marshall law, the subjects cheer for the guards as they leave the area. I look forward to reading what the big thinkers in the academic community have to say about this in the next months and years.

Cheering in Watertown

Cheering here on the west coast?

 Cheering here on the west coast? 

Anybody else confused?

Yes, it is extremely warm and wonderful to see the community of Watertown come together and cheer their protectors after a day of lockdowns, but...

A strong part of me is, like the farmer at the fence. You know? The old, "maybe yes, maybe no" thing.

This very emotion. These very strong feelings are exactly what we want to remove from the process of bringing justice to wrongdoers and safety to communities. 

I have lots of distance from the crime. I am a runner, though. And I can sort of imagine the GIANT disconnect of being blown up at the end of a four hour run. Scratch that. Can't imagine it. But I can explore the theory of justice and that does NOT involve crowds of people. It happens in small rooms, without emotion, with transparency and an eye towards past, present and future safety of all concerned. I am just getting my thoughts together. I would love to see yours here in the next few weeks and months as this thing goes through the courts.

Whadaya think?

DD out

Cheering here on the west coast?