Police brutality is unfortunately, nothing new. There are far too many police officers and people who hold positions of authority, that take these jobs on, just so they can exert dominance over others. I'm not sure what can be done about it, unless we come up with a completely new way of policing. One where elders take an more active role.
Where people are really screened before they are given these roles and where they have to actually undergo training in non violent communication. At the end of the day, police officers are meant to be protecting the people. But we are seeing less and less of that, these days.
Instead they are being used to enforce laws that have been put in place, by those in power.
I do know that in most countries police officers, take an oath, to protect the people. So why don't they adhere to it? It is one thing to want to exert dominance over others by taking on an authoritative role, it is another to beat someone so badly, that they later die.
And then, there are those other officers, who just let it happened and do nothing about it. What a world we live in.
When I read about what happened to Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Women that was arrested for wearing her headscarf too loosely and who later died after being badly beaten in police custody. I felt so angry by the injustice and brutality. I was however, not surprised, because like I have said earlier, police brutality is nothing new.
How horrible that we live in a world, where this is actually occurring in many countries, regardless of gender or race and yes it is shocking, but not surprising.
I grew up in Western Society and continue to live there. So I have no idea what it is like, to live in a country, where all woman are expected to dress and behave in a certain way and if they do not, they can be punished severely.
I know that I could not live in such a place, because I am used to making my own choices and deciding what I want to do. I practice no religion, although I was born into Catholic Country. I am however a spiritual person, to me religion and spirituality are two very different things.
To be honest, I simply do not understand culture's where women are treated so differently to men. I also do not want to assume that all women feel oppressed living this way,
But, to be honest, women feel oppressed all over the world, for various different reasons. Some times the oppression is hard to see, because it happens behind closed doors.
(I also believe that men are being oppressed as well, but that is for another post).
I am all for respecting other people's cultures and religions, I don't have to agree with them, but respect is important. But when choice is taken out of the equation, then I find it harder to feel respectful.
It is really difficult for me to comprehend what happened to Mahsa Amini, she was just 22 years of age, her life had only just
really begun and yet, just because she had some of her hair showing, her life was taken from her. In such a brutal way.
She was such a young woman, who was described as being quiet and respectful. I read, how she was unaware that she was breaking any rules and that she pleaded and begged with the police who arrested her trying to explain how she didn't mean any disrespect.
How these officers can live with what they did, from the ones who brutally beat her and the ones that stood back ad done nothing.
It's mind blowing really and as a mother of three girls, I do worry sometimes, about the world that they have to live in. But that is all the more reason, why it is so important that we raise our children to be empowered.
Using our voices to raise awareness about injustice and abuse, is so important. Letting women in different countries, know that we support them, that they are not alone. Sometimes we need to step up and be the voice, for those that are afraid to use their own.
Educating our children about what is happening around the world, is certainly one way in which we can bring about change.
Being aware of the services in our region, that are available for women in need, is also really important, so that we can reach out to those who need support. Now with the use of social media, it is a lot easier to connect with people all around the world. So that we can work on solutions together.
This is my answer to the latest Ladies Of Hive Community Contest, which asked the following question ........
On 13-Sep-2022, an Iranian woman (Mahsa Amini) was arrested for wearing her headscarf too loosely, which allowed a little of her hair to be visible. Witnesses attest that she was severely beaten while in police custody. At one point, she collapsed, but it was two hours later before police transported her to a hospital where it was noted that she had lapsed into a coma. The police claim she had a heart attack, but there were bruises on her body, head, and face. She died three days later, never awaking from her coma. And all this was because she was careless to allow a few strands of hair to show.
What do you think about news of this sort? Do you think you could ever live in such a conservative society? Would you even consider briefly visiting such a country with such laws? How can we assist such women, who cannot afford to flee to a safe place?
Yes it is difficult to talk about these things, it brings up so many emotions, but it is important that it is addressed, that we find a way to unite people, to unite women around the world. To plant seeds, so that one day, change will happen.
