Current unrest in Kenosha made me think of one of my favorite classic TV shows. What’s happening in Kenosha, however, isn’t the least bit amusing, and can’t be resolved in a half hour.
It’s not new, but police departments--some racist, some lacking leadership, and others overwhelmed-- have, either happily or reluctantly, welcomed the help of vigilantes, and are deputizing laymen to fight against their fellow citizens. The overzealous, gun-toting wannabes who’ve answered the call, (or anointed themselves), impatient with the methods, timetable of, and changes in the American justice system, have apparently been itching for conflict. They are desperate to tag in, and are causing more trouble than they’re worth. For some it’s a game. The unhinged anger screams that there is a moral, educational, and mental health crisis in America. Stored up hatred and ignorance has driven people mad.
They’ve been waiting for a war against those they have been programmed to hate. They actually see themselves as saviors— on the side of lawmen, but not on the side of the law (and definitely not on the side of equal rights and liberty for all).
It's amazing how people despise, and are quick to want to rid America of those whose parents and grandparents were born here; whose ancestors were kidnapped and brought here; whose oppression and free labor paved the way for their security and wealth. The hatred is in the air and it's exhausting and scary.
The zealots seem to be stuck in a time warp; seeing guns as their only option, and racism as their religion. Their idea of law and order is intimidation, oppression, recklessness, and fear. Their weaponry demonstrates their lack of regard for human life. The thought of fairness and equality for their fellow citizens enrages them. Their rhetoric is crass, loud, misinformed, unapologetic, and bigoted.
They, however, are the insecure, fearful ones. People who care nothing for them; who possess exponentially more than them, have stoked their fears, and led them to believe their very way of life is under attack. They're egged on by those whose hands will never be found dirty; those whose wealth insulates and absolves. They’re being used, and their thoughtless rushing to “help” is costing them.
We can take a lesson from classic TV. One fictional wannabe showed us how potentially dangerous unchecked over-zealousness could be, but we laughed at him. As hilarious as the character was, and still is, Barney Fife, like many people currently playing cops and robbers in America today, should never have been deputized.
Barney was Andy’s cousin. The nepotism alone should have been a deterrent. Barney had no law enforcement experience. As much as he wanted to do a good job, and made sure to look the part with his starched uniform, he was bungling, insecure, impulsive, cowardly, quick tempered, and trigger happy. He didn’t think critically. He needed to feel important, thought he was Andy's equal, and wanted to be respected. It was the glamour and prestige of the job that he craved, and he was often ridiculed by citizens of the town. Even criminals called him a “hick deputy”, a “sucker” and a “boob”. “Let him think he’s a big shot.”
He wanted to police Mayberry in ways, and with weapons the sleepy, crime-free town didn’t require. He knew regulations, but lacked discipline and people skills. He wanted to appear well-read and knowledgeable. He made work for Andy, so the exasperated sheriff often gave him simple tasks to do just to keep him busy. Anytime he was a hero, it was because Andy orchestrated it.
Only on a few occasions did Andy lose his cool and tell Barney the truth about himself, his attitude, and performance. His arrogance almost got Andy sued and fired, yet Andy always covered, lied for, and defended, and praised him. Perhaps his own reputation and judgment was on the line for hiring him in the first place. Barney had to be defended; he had to be perceived as necessary and successful. No one in the town was fooled, though. They tolerated him. When his competence was challenged, when he made mistakes, or went too far, Barney crumbled, or exploded in anger.
Needing help often results in the appointment of incompetence, immaturity, and trouble; enabling, tolerating, and encouraging it--and not being able to be rid of it.
Leaders can’t afford to look the other way, or relinquish responsibility when the people they enlist behave badly. They have to be honest about the decisions they make. Their own beliefs and motives have to be ethical as well. There’s a difference between instigating and resolving conflict. Leaders have to monitor the intentions, actions, decisions, temperament and rhetoric of those to whom authority is hastily, or thoughtlessly given. If they don’t, or won’t, they will always have to lie for, and clean up the messes of the monsters they create. Eventually, leaders tire of being held accountable for the actions of others. Monsters don’t go away easily, though, and some have been the undoing of the very people who created them.
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