As recent events in the US illustrate so well, you or I are also much less likely to get systemically oppressed just going about my everyday business than a older black man who is a Harvard professor. Race even trumps class in America (not that the two aren't intertwined). Of course, straight white men (and women) can deny their privilege or disengage from it in various ways. And there are different sorts of privilege and social power. For instance, our Harvard professor was outraged because he felt that class and position should protect him from the systemic racism of the police force (and his neighbor).

What you fail to understand is that systemic oppression is about how systems influence behavior, it's not about how "good" or "bad" an individual inherently is (most people are very open to subtle and over peer pressure - the prison experiments and the torture culture of the US military are both good examples of this effect in action). Of course, there *are* people in both the military and police force who think and choose their actions and who will risk going against their peers or superior officers and refuse to engage in oppression and actively work to make a difference. Not a lot mind you, since they're both organizations that go out of their way to make sure that the bottom of the hierarchy unquestioningly follow orders (since they're ultimately considered expendable and easily replaceable in a way higher ups aren't, they really are seen as cogs in the military machine). The military is somewhat different than the police force in that it's less voluntary and conveys less social power than joining the police force.

What we feel is important to us is likely for the most part genetically determined.

First, on the passive-aggressive thing – I don’t sense anything going on on my part. Admittedly, in the past we’ve had a couple of encounters that weren’t that pretty, but as I said earlier – I hope we’re past that, and we can put it behind us. Also, as I said, I not only respect your path of activism, but I celebrate it. Yet, as previously stated, I think that because this is your path, it doesn’t have to be everybody’s path. You say a great many things that are right on – at least they make sense from my current point of view. Other statements you make, at least as far as I’m concerned, may at times appear incorrect. To try to clarify my point of view because I don’t agree with them is not a personal attack on you, and from at least the way I see it, is not an attempt on my part to underhandedly cut you down.

So, let’s take your concept of systematic oppression. Just by using the word ‘systematic’, at least from my point of view, has a ring of being conspiratorial. It seems to imply that some form of evil systematization keeps rolling along, and that either you’re part of it or you’re part of the brotherhood that is going to do something about it. You see, I don’t see the system as being intrinsically oppressive. Why, because I don’t see a system. The concept of a system is but a mental abstraction, yet this abstraction, which to one degree or another is always with us, does seemingly play an important role in our lives and colors our perceptions and our responses to what we think is going on. I see the lion’s share of this dynamic as being genetically based, and consequently rather difficult, if not impossible to control. Yet, we seem to be under this illusion that control is possible or at least we’re capable of modifying it. You *might* deem such a response as being uncaring or a mere intellectualization or an excuse as to why one would shirk their responsibilities; I’m not sure. Yet, I see this as a valid approach, one that makes perfect sense. And, yes, I think that people act as cogs, oppressing and being oppressed. Not only do I not see a system being responsible, but I don’t see the individuals as being responsible. I would assume you’d disagree with such a statement. Yet, I it makes perfect sense to me. Simply, we look at things differently. Your perspective may be the right one, yet, for me to share mine with you is not from my point of view is necessarily saying you’re wrong or making a judgment about you or what you think or what you do, it’s simply me sharing with you my perspective on an idea.

I am what I am, if you want to see me as a privileged white male, that’s your take. Such a judgment, which I might add, might be correct, is your point of view – as if I had any control over my parentage and the moment I was conceived. From my point of view, I’d say such a statement moves us into the realm of reverse discrimination; again we have the dog beginning to eat its own tail. I can see the statement ringing true with some of the other members of this tribe, maybe even the majority, but something ‘ringing true’ does not deem it objective truth.

Emergency services for a town or city is generally composed of police, fire and medical. My experience in this area has been in big cities on both the East and West coasts. There is a great overlap between the responsibilities of the three arms, and frequently it is unclear where the responsibilities of one group start and another’s stop. Police, only because there are so many of them in contrast with the other groups, are generally the first responders, and because they are frequently out cruising about, in many cases they are the ones that call in for assistance from medical or fire. Generally they do whatever they can to provide assistance to those in need, regardless of their race or their economic niche. And they go on helping out even after help has arrived. I’ve seen cops console the injured, stop bleeding, perform CPR, keep people from going into shock and even take people to the hospital in their squad cars.

Again, Fifi, I ask you try to separate disagreement with an idea of yours with being a personal attack upon you. I have no bone to pick with you.

I was only giving my preference based on personal experience having experienced both.

These numbers are relatively small when you consider that the population of the US is over 300,000,000. Of the approximate 400 deaths you are speaking of in the past 8 years - we're talking about 50 deaths per year. Note that aspirin overdose accounts for 7600 deaths per year.

Though note that I'm not condoning a single death that was caused through any unwarranted use. People committing such acts should be prosecuted and punished. As I mentioned to you earlier, I wonder how many lives might have been saved due to firearms not being used? Not too long ago here a fellow came at a cop with a knife and he was shot and killed. Don't you think a tazer would have been a better choice for a weapon?