I understand “defund the police” isn’t the best language, but where was all the outrage when they were defunding education, defunding Headstart, defunding hunger & anti-poverty programs, defunding violence prevention programs, defunding peace projects & defunding social services?
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Defunding the police means funding a range of practitioners who would comprise an unarmed community rooted public safety function. Maybe keep the cops around to respond to violence or as a backup. Armed agents of the state aren't the best responders for enforcement and disputes.
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Replying to @ec0anarch0
I totally understand that. And I agree with it. I just also understand how that one word can be used by the right wing to help Trump win the election. And that does matter. All I’m saying is that I understand the argument over that one word. We can also say “transform” the police

Jun 14, 2020 · 5:11 PM UTC

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Replying to @marwilliamson @ec0anarch0
Or transform policing?
Replying to @marwilliamson
I do not know that we can reform an institution rooted in slave catchers and tempered by veterans of the Philippine counterinsurgency as Jim Crow was cranking up. In 03, I was on a cmte that passed police reform at the ballot. The cops ended up neutralizing those "reforms."
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Replying to @marwilliamson
The right wing is going to do their best to frame us into irrelevance. It is our job to put forth a communications strategy that frames the issue on terms favorable to us and unfavorable to Trump. Politics is about psychology and suasion as much as policy.
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Replying to @marwilliamson @ec0anarch0
Thank you @marwilliamson I am so glad you are looking into this. I think & feel the same way. It isn’t about liking or not liking a term or word. As the saying goes: truth sets us free (meaning: truth is the best way) Defunding doesn’t fix THIS problem, yet, it could bring more.
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