Shawn Schmid
Jul 30, 2017 · 2 min read

Although I pressed the recommend heart for this story, there are three reasons no conservative, pro-police, anti-black reader will ever read beyond the first paragraph.

I find that dissatisfying because racists, and pro-militarization of police are some of the people whose minds we would like to change. Titling the article, right + hypocritical may piss off several conservatives enough for them to start reading, but only for reasons they can use your essay as an example of “libtard” writing.

We have to think up a way to engage with the racist, anti-BLM readers in some meaningful way that will allow them to change their minds about police-always-right, dead always wrong attitude in police shootings, so that they WILL agree to police de-escalation training becoming as on-going as firearm periodic re-certification!

Pointing out that they’re hypocrites probably will not get them there. Pointing to several right wing half-a-Nazi shock talk radio hosts won’t convince their listeners, either.

Shit, I think your essay is fantastic! But that’s because I already agreed with you before I read it, so my brain is looking for its confirmation fix. My wife and I march in Black Lives Matter parades, and attended Women’s March on Washington, January, 2017, so this article hasn’t scored any new converts at our house.

I am not critical of your writing, so I believe the facts you list, and your recommendations for further change in policing attitudes and training. I suppose the only way we can get President Trump to overcome his Cognitive Biases (see famous chart of the human brain, listing organic reasons why we can’t be convinced by anything, unless we already agree with it), and read your article, is to write “I Love Republicans!”, at the top. This makes me feel pessimistic about societal change. Off to listen to Rush Limbaugh! — signed Mitch McConnell

Shawn Schmid

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We all are equal, Atheists, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Other, female, male, questioning. Education: B.A. Liberal Studies, M.A. Applied Linguistics