Last night on the way home my GPS led me into a construction zone. No signs or anything up. A state trooper runs me down as I'm trying to find a way around.
I pull over. He tries to scold me on how he could give me a $250 ticket etc. I let him know I was lost, not being a nuisance...too old for that . You can tell he wanted to garner a reaction from me but I remember it wasn't personal and I wasn't going to give him that control.
I can't assume he gave me a hard time cause of my complexion or anything because assuming is dangerous. He told me to "get and go on" and he basically was the epitome of unprofessionalism. I maintained myself and remained a gentlemen because that's who I strive to be.
4 minutes up the road we encounter the same problem. A different trooper comes and he's professional, understanding and assisted us. He has construction move aside so I could get on the highway.
It's not personal.
The first trooper could have not liked me cause of who I am, could have been pissed at an earlier incident, could not like his life all together and I happen to be in the position for him to try and take advantage.
Or he could just be a jerk in general. (Hey, they do exist)
But i realize he doesn't know me to make it personal and vice versa. I hope his issues are handled especially in the day and time where some folks feel so desperate that they will assault an officer. I hope he understands that his badge doesn't give him an excuse to be unprofessional and rude. I hope he understands this before he runs into the wrong person - it is 2016.
Growth is hard but it's worth it. It's been a challenge to not take things personal and realize that a person's actions are a reflection of them and not me to a sense. All officers are not bad - we should never lump a group of anyone together (white, black, latino etc). However, people are people and that means we have both BAD and GOOD people with badges, in office and more. Where the human element exists, there also exists an opportunity for corruption and injustice.
Thank God for growth and maturation to see things beyond myself.
I pull over. He tries to scold me on how he could give me a $250 ticket etc. I let him know I was lost, not being a nuisance...too old for that . You can tell he wanted to garner a reaction from me but I remember it wasn't personal and I wasn't going to give him that control.
I can't assume he gave me a hard time cause of my complexion or anything because assuming is dangerous. He told me to "get and go on" and he basically was the epitome of unprofessionalism. I maintained myself and remained a gentlemen because that's who I strive to be.
4 minutes up the road we encounter the same problem. A different trooper comes and he's professional, understanding and assisted us. He has construction move aside so I could get on the highway.
It's not personal.
The first trooper could have not liked me cause of who I am, could have been pissed at an earlier incident, could not like his life all together and I happen to be in the position for him to try and take advantage.
Or he could just be a jerk in general. (Hey, they do exist)
But i realize he doesn't know me to make it personal and vice versa. I hope his issues are handled especially in the day and time where some folks feel so desperate that they will assault an officer. I hope he understands that his badge doesn't give him an excuse to be unprofessional and rude. I hope he understands this before he runs into the wrong person - it is 2016.
Growth is hard but it's worth it. It's been a challenge to not take things personal and realize that a person's actions are a reflection of them and not me to a sense. All officers are not bad - we should never lump a group of anyone together (white, black, latino etc). However, people are people and that means we have both BAD and GOOD people with badges, in office and more. Where the human element exists, there also exists an opportunity for corruption and injustice.
Thank God for growth and maturation to see things beyond myself.