POLICING
[public session]
POLICING
Our conversation about policing unfolded in several layers, starting with immediate perceptions of the term. Participants shared their first thoughts, ranging from control, direction, and rules to the more abstract concepts of limits, gray areas, and unknowns. These initial reactions set the tone for a discussion that acknowledged policing as a multifaceted and often exhausting endeavor, deeply woven into our personal lives and societal structures.
As the conversation progressed, it explored how policing is reflected across various facets of society. In art and media, policing was seen as a dual entity: both criticized and glorified, often lacking a middle ground in representation. The discussion then moved to the intersection of policing and religion, where it was noted as a mechanism for enforcing community norms and moral codes. This brought forth the notion of policing as a community-driven force, not just a state apparatus. The topic of politics highlighted how policing can be a reflection of those in power, often becoming a tool in political agendas, leading to a disconnect between its intended purpose and actual practice.
Personal connections to and disconnections from policing brought out the most poignant aspects of the discussion. Stories ranged from professional involvement in law enforcement to the emotional impact of significant judicial decisions, painting a picture of policing as a deeply personal and sometimes polarizing experience. These narratives underscored the complexity of policing, not just as a public service, but as an entity with profound impacts on individual lives and societal norms. The conversation concluded with reflections on assumptions about policing, both from others and within, revealing a spectrum of beliefs about the nature and necessity of policing in society.
What Participants Had to Say
“This was a nice conversation. Really appreciate the process. You all are going places and making really powerful topics much easier to approach.”
“I think I am conflicted about policing, especially in my conversations with my daughter and what she’s been experiencing about kind of feeling policed around her own body and expression of herself in the world, and so I think I felt conflicted about it. And now I feel a lot more open and empathetic to the experiences that you all have shared. And it’s a real gift that I’m taking home with me: a deep appreciation for how you all showed up in this conversation and what you brought to it, and I’m thinking a lot deeper about it. So thank you.”
“I felt fairly disconnected from policing as I don’t have a lot of interaction with it on a day-to-day basis anymore and now I feel more enlightened about the topic from a broader range of consideration and it’s something I haven’t thought about in a while so it was nice to discuss it with such enlightened company honestly.”
Each session has its own special and distinct artistic representation of the conversation, but the pictures below showcase some of the standout moments from each session.
EXPLORE THIS SESSION
Take a deeper dive into this conversation.
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Our discussion was beautifully paired with generative art, which captured the many layers and nuances of the conversations we had about policing. Each image explores the shared understanding and curiosities among the panelists.
