On the boys club.
A new thread in my life is reminding myself of the institutions we inhabit, both as an LGBTQ+ individual, and a feminist, in an attempt to be a stronger, more politically attuned foe and less so the weary soul I’ve allowed myself to downshift into. “You’re confusing the police for the criminal justice system,” I’ll quietly tell myself whilst taking a dump after I’ve forgotten to bring my iPhone. “You’re confusing public interest for the establishment.” Plop.
A few weeks ago I was stopped by Police Scotland. Their grievance? The immediate and perilous danger of absolutely fucking everyone around me for smoking a joint peacefully, quietly, in an 85-acre outdoor space. The outcome? As a white, cis, privileged man, the oppressive, painful imprint of authoritarian rule was firmly felt for the first time in my adult life. Felt it for days. Still feel it writing this.
My trust in my local police force is now nonexistent. Properly highlighting the effect the short, 20-minute encounter has had on the trajectory of my life going forward, politically, and mentally, is immeasurable. For a brief, fleeting, singular moment in time, sympathy for every single woman, trans person, non-binary, social outcast, or any other sort of vulnerable individual who has ever come face to face with a badge and a series of invasive questions flooded every fuckin’ molecule of my body.
Such a simple concept, and yet one buried beneath a lifetime of being told to trust an establishment that simply doesn’t trust its citizens, nor work in their favor, nor truly seek to adhere to their individual needs as a body of government that advertises itself as such. The police don’t bring people to justice; they enforce the law. The state grants them the right to preserve order through force. Doesn’t feel, sound, or result in anything even remotely related to liberty, in my humble wee opinion.
Be it harassing innocent women on social media apps after arresting them, or legally entrapping people for holding up blank pieces of paper, these people can (and do) legally compel obedience through violence. Their systems and mechanisms exist to do the most damage to the least powerful. The average taxpaying peasant doesn’t seem to be safe under their guidance and community presence.
At best, police power is a necessary evil. Yet at worst, it’s that boot on your motherfuckin’ neck.
Using force to compel my obedience, inspiring fear, and breaking community trust is not a codicil of the social contract I’ll either accept or consent to.
Neither should you, reader.
