Why Won't Police Back Their Own Blue?
As covid-19 becomes the biggest threat to U.S. police officers' lives, law enforcement leaders continue to resist basic health protection measures for their rank and file
A new report shows that 62% of all American police officer deaths that occurred “in the line of duty” for 2020 and 2021 were due to covid-19. The 2020 U.S. line of duty death toll for police officers was reportedly the highest in 50 years.
Despite the fact that the biggest threat to police officers’ lives in the U.S. is the novel coronavirus, some the nation’s most powerful police organizations continue to encourage officers to not get vaccinated against covid-19 by fighting vaccination requirements for officers.
In fact, many officers are strongly opposing even wearing masks as required by local laws. Even worse, they’re brutalizing those they’re sworn to serve and protect when they even ask that officers follow the law and wear their masks.
Here in Chicago the city’s police union is actively encouraging its members to disobey the municipality’s covid-19 vaccine requirement. American law enforcement rank and file may want to consider questioning why the unions they pay to represent them are doing nothing positive to Back the Blue and address the biggest threat to police officers’ lives.
Fighting Homophobia
One of the greatest boxers in the world, Claressa Shields, recently went on a homophobic rant on Twitter because a comic book character is bisexual. When called out on her homophobia, Shields insisted she is not homophobic, and offered as proof more homophobic garbage.
Replying to fellow boxing great Errol Spence who said that Superman is now bisexual in a comic book narrative, Shields said “I googled it this morning and I’m disappointed they would even do that. He’s always been in-love with Lois Laine!”
Then, a twitter follower told her that the bisexual character was, in fact, Superman’s son. This didn’t placate Shields.
“Don’t make it no better,” she replied.
When another fan responded to her, saying, “Woah…please clear up what the issue is then because I didn’t take you as a homophobic person,” Shields doubled down with the sophisticated “No Homo” defense.
“I’m no where [sic] near homophobic I just don’t think that cartoon characters should be bi sexual or gay. Leave the kids alone. Don’t push a agenda on children. To me that’s confusing kids. If a teenager or adult decides to be bi or gay, congrats to them. I have no problem with that,” she wrote.
Any time someone says some version of “I’m not a bigot but…” you know you’re in for a doozy of a hate-fest. Shields’ above statements are no exception.
Sadly, it is to be expected from someone who trains at a gym – Jackson/Winkeljohn – known for flying a QAnon flag atop its roof and taking part in armed White supremacist vigilante mobs. To be clear, however, Shields’ comments are the epitome of homophobia.
Believing that people "decide" to be bi or gay is textbook homophobia. Queer people exist.
Thinking that them being represented in cultural products like comic books is "pushing an agenda on children" is textbook homophobia. Unfortunately, if you’re expecting for Shields to apologize or face any type of professional sanction for her hate speech you are likely to be disappointed.
Her tweets are still proudly up and her promoters have not announced any actions in response. Anyone optimistic that being homophobic will either hurt Claressa Shields’ career or that she will use this moment as an opportunity to better herself and change her bigoted ideas probably hasn’t paid much attention to the careers of Tyson Fury, Manny Pacquiao, Dana White, Mike Bisping, Donald Cerrone, et. al.