Kid's friends want to be police officers -- how to handle

[Anonymous]

After living in DC the past 15 years all i can say is... Never let your kids become lawyers. Teach your kids how slimy they are. Shut down the law schools for the next 5 years. The swamp is full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you still haven’t answered the question about what exactly you are doing to further the dismantling of social injustice and police brutality other than stewing over a four-year old’s hypothetical career choice. I’ll wait.

Would it matter? Based on how many people have reacted, it doesn't seem like it would.

Scenario A: I have worked, professionally and volunteering, in efforts to achieve racial justice and equality for decades. I've donated significant money and time to the cause and to politicians likely to support reforms. In the current environment, I organized and lead a protest in my immediate area and was very involved in larger protests in DC. I've increased my donation of time and money, currently focusing on providing funds for bail and legal defense of protestors arrested.

Scenario B: I put up a black square on my Facebook page and have made a few other posts supportive of the cause. I went to the outskirts of one protest for a half hour, mostly to say that I joined and took a some pictures. I reliably vote liberal, but haven't really made more extensive efforts to bring about political change.

Scenario C: Although I support the cause personally, I haven't even taken the minimal public steps in scenario B because I worry that it might alienate some people.

Let's assume it is A. Does that mean that you think I have a greater right to think that it was poor form for the parents to submit the video? Would that mean that you think it is more reasonable for me to at least consider trying to start a conversation with the other planets?

Given that most people seem to think I am simply nuts, I'm not sure my personal history with the cause, or lack thereof, would make a difference.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s great. The police need good people. If enough good people join and stand up for what’s right, we will change the culture of policing in this country. Raise your son to be empathetic and just, and encourage him to be a helper in whatever profession he chooses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you still haven’t answered the question about what exactly you are doing to further the dismantling of social injustice and police brutality other than stewing over a four-year old’s hypothetical career choice. I’ll wait.

Would it matter? Based on how many people have reacted, it doesn't seem like it would.

Scenario A: I have worked, professionally and volunteering, in efforts to achieve racial justice and equality for decades. I've donated significant money and time to the cause and to politicians likely to support reforms. In the current environment, I organized and lead a protest in my immediate area and was very involved in larger protests in DC. I've increased my donation of time and money, currently focusing on providing funds for bail and legal defense of protestors arrested.

Scenario B: I put up a black square on my Facebook page and have made a few other posts supportive of the cause. I went to the outskirts of one protest for a half hour, mostly to say that I joined and took a some pictures. I reliably vote liberal, but haven't really made more extensive efforts to bring about political change.

Scenario C: Although I support the cause personally, I haven't even taken the minimal public steps in scenario B because I worry that it might alienate some people.

Let's assume it is A. Does that mean that you think I have a greater right to think that it was poor form for the parents to submit the video? Would that mean that you think it is more reasonable for me to at least consider trying to start a conversation with the other planets?

Given that most people seem to think I am simply nuts, I'm not sure my personal history with the cause, or lack thereof, would make a difference.

OP, thank you for taking the time to respond to that post. Your knowledge on this topic is relevant to me, personally, because I am always willing to learn from people who are more educated than I am on a particular subject. If, however, someone wants to have a discussion with me about something they don't know anything about, I am not particularly interested in hearing their opinion.

If you have been greatly involved with the issues of police reform and racial equality, and have therefore presumably spent a lot of time learning about them, then I would be more inclined to hear what you have to say. If, on the other hand, you're one of the people who hasn't shed a tear over what's going on or given it that much thought because it's ugly and difficult, then I couldn't care less what you think and your reaction to four-year olds dressed as police officers is hypocritical at best.

I can't speak for anyone else who has posted, but I would say that I am trying my hardest to listen to and learn from others, especially when people feel offended, marginalized, or otherwise upset by words and actions. That is how I believe people grow.

[Anonymous]

Let's assume it is A. Does that mean that you think I have a greater right to think that it was poor form for the parents to submit the video? Would that mean that you think it is more reasonable for me to at least consider trying to start a conversation with the other planets?

Given that most people seem to think I am simply nuts, I'm not sure my personal history with the cause, or lack thereof, would make a difference.

Yes, some people have said you are nuts, but others here have disagreed with you in a respectful manner. To me, it would make a difference. You have a right to your view that the parents allowing the video is wrong (which I do not personally share). But, unless you are taking the steps under scenario A, all that you are doing is virtue signaling and passing judgment on the parents.

[Anonymous]

Let's assume it is A. Does that mean that you think I have a greater right to think that it was poor form for the parents to submit the video? Would that mean that you think it is more reasonable for me to at least consider trying to start a conversation with the other planets?

Just to add, I think you are not taking into account the level of your relationship with these parents, which you describe as casual. If my brother or very close friend made a part of a video that I thought was potentially hurtful or offensive, even though others may disagree with me in that view, I would raise it and discuss it with them. If one of the parents from my son's baseball carpool did the same thing, I'd let it go and move on.

[Anonymous]

You're joking right? It's PRE-SCHOOL. You don't need to say anything. Let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question for OP: What did your child say he/she wanted to be? What did some of the other children say?

FWIW, my 4 year old wants to be a butterfly when she grows up so she can fly. Are you going to tell me that I really should be encouraging her to be a pilot or astronaut instead?

Yes, please - tell us what your child said he/she wanted to be?

[Anonymous]

“I don't know whether this was intended as an overt political statement, but it is surprising they wouldn't realize how at least some people would view their kids' statements and I wonder more broadly what they are teaching their kids.”

JFC. Quick to stereotype aren’t you, OP? How do you know what the parents taught the kid? Maybe they did address this with the kiddo and that
some police are bad, but not all of them are and teaching the kiddo not to stereotype. Maybe they even used this as a teachable moment and are teaching the kid early to be anti racist. You seem to be assuming the worst of people based on what? What a 5 yo wants to be???

[Anonymous]

OP - Since you have raised the topic of my son's (and one other child's) contribution to the end-of-school year video and suggested raising the topic with the parents, please do reach out. I would be happy to talk with you about the conversations I’ve had with my son, the signs we have made and books we've read, and the protest march he took part in this past weekend.

[Anonymous]

OP you are certifiable.

[Anonymous]

I think you should call the parents and play the song Sound of da Police for them, and then hang up.

In all seriousness, though, I remember loving that song in high school, and in retrospect, it seems even more poignant today. The video is great too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - Since you have raised the topic of my son's (and one other child's) contribution to the end-of-school year video and suggested raising the topic with the parents, please do reach out. I would be happy to talk with you about the conversations I’ve had with my son, the signs we have made and books we've read, and the protest march he took part in this past weekend.

How would I know which parent you are? What are your kid's initials?

[Anonymous]

If OP is not a troll she is like my SIL. Her dds and sister attended a BLM protest, which meant walking down the street and they sent pictures to all of us, and told us we should be proud of our nieces and that they will be featured in a local paper!
I did not reply to this insane virtue signaling nor did I say a word about what my kids are doing in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - Since you have raised the topic of my son's (and one other child's) contribution to the end-of-school year video and suggested raising the topic with the parents, please do reach out. I would be happy to talk with you about the conversations I’ve had with my son, the signs we have made and books we've read, and the protest march he took part in this past weekend.

How would I know which parent you are? What are your kid's initials?

OP, perhaps you should contact the school to address your concerns and talk with the parent. That would seem to be the more appropriate forum than DCUM.