Being that we are in the aftermath of another day spent at the @gardenofeden
with the Arlington Police forcing unwarranted entry on May 23, 2018,
I will be sharing some of my thoughts as I process what occurred here
concerning the stabbing of @quinneaker by a homeless man,
and the grave mishandling of the entire situation by the Arlington Police Force.

“I’m just doing my job!”

How many of us have heard that?  
How many use that statement as an excuse to harm others?
How many use that excuse to dodge accountability for dishonorable actions?

Everyday I live my life at the @gardenofeden doing what I want to do.
Not only do I do it with all my heart and soul,
I can say I feel really good about my participation in it.
I feel that what I do benefits others,
so I dedicate my life to being of service to making the world a better place.

Now, perhaps, the Arlington Police believe they are also being of service
to making the world a better place.
Maybe that is the real reason that some of them
applied to the police force in the first place.
But if one looks at their daily existence,
their actions and people’s responses to them tell a different story.

Do people feel safer and more secure when they see a police officer --
even simply parked on the side of the road?
Are people grateful that the police are an integral part of their community?

In my experience and questioning MANY others,
at least here in Arlington, Texas,
the answer is NO.

I more often see people slam on their brakes when seeing police on the roads.  
I dare say it’s not to slow down out of respect to pay them homage,
or to express gratitude for their service.  
Most people avoid them at all costs,
and many express they actually fear the police
having had seriously detrimental encounters with them.

Considering those are not uncommon sentiments from the stories in Arlington
(and also many from around the world),
it seems odd that we would retain employees who,
trusted with a badge and a gun,
would also wield the energy of intimidation, with no accountability.  
To have employees who act like they are the authority,
who do whatever they want whenever they want,
who will coerce and manipulate, lie, steal,
and even kidnap and throw people in a room while poisoning them,
is really quite unfathomable.

It makes me questions what kind of employers we are,
and how we have become so disempowered to let things get this way.

Now this is not to say  that all police are bad people,
or that they even have bad intentions.
I’ve actually had conversations with a few even here in Arlington
who I believe to be truly decent human beings.  
But, it is worth taking note of guilt by association,
and the lack of accountability by using the excuse “I’m just doing my job!”.  

It is obviously not the only job in the world...
it is therefore a CHOICE!

There may be police forces around the world
where honor is upheld and the position is not taken for granted or abused.  
But speaking solely from my personal experience with the Arlington Police
during the black ops SWAT raid on the @gardenofeden in August 2013,
and during this last episode of three trespasses without a warrant in one day
(along with other major disgraceful activities),
honor is not their standard.

I actually really feel for these men and women who choose to take an oath of office
to serve and protect those who pay their salaries,
yet who choose to take allegiance in serving a corrupt system instead.  
Looking in their eyes and at their faces,
one can tell that they are quite lifeless and disconnected.
They are slaves roaming around in human-like bodies. 
Their life is such a huge contrast to mine.  

I cannot imagine living one day in their shoes laced up with justifications!
And for sure not a single moment inside their heads!
Choosing a job that would make me feel obligated to do things I do not agree with,
harming others in the process,
and having to hide from myself would drive me out of my skin.  
I would not be able to look myself in the mirror if I lived their lives,
did the things that they have done,
and continue to do it even when it is pointed out plain as day.

Though I am saddened to witness the effects of the system,
and those that play their deceitful game,
I can at least breathe in gratitude for one amazing thing...

I am, more than ever, grateful to be me!

I dream of a world where we never hear “I’m just doing my job!” again!
Choosing that job is an act of personal responsibility.
No job is to blame for personal engagement...people are!
(Just like guns are not to blame for shooting...those who pull the trigger are.)
May accountability play a big role in the unraveling of the truth.

I will be sharing what happened here on the 23rd of May, 2018, when @quinneaker was assaulted, the videos, photos and testimony of those who were present to witness the situation as it unfolded, and the actions of the Arlington Police.  You can then decipher the information for yourself.  Stay tuned…

This is a HUGE opportunity to let the darkness really be seen,
and to inspire others to stand up for change.  
I pray you'll be standing up with us!