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https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://momentum.medium.com/pulled-over-by-the-police-with-a-smile-1af29a0dc71e>
"I got pulled over by the Police a few nights ago, and it was the first time I
didn’t fear for my life.
Well, that’s not necessarily factual. Initially, I was because it was just past
1 am, and I was with my fraternity brother, who just so happens to be black
like me. It also happened to be in Germany, where they rarely do traffic stops
as there are enough devices along the side of the road to send you a glamour
shot and a fee in the mailbox as proof that they caught you speeding. Outside
of me, seeing the Polizei actually helping people on the side of the road,
giving directions on a sidewalk, providing security for events, or at local
transportation areas, you rarely see them. I guess that’s what happens when you
have a society not based on violence, aggression, and lackluster restrictions
on gun laws. Fear of the gun and a disregard for human life are not prevalent
here.
Based on that knowledge, the random traffic stop scared the hell out of me
initially, but not for long. The officer came to my window with a peaceful,
almost “melancholy” tone at 1:32 am. He greeted me and my passenger and asked
how we were doing. The officer stated it was a random traffic stop that the
Polizei had begun initiating. He politely asked me to shut off my vehicle and
give him my credentials. Asked me if I had been drinking and kindly asked me if
I didn’t mind taking a breathalyzer.
I thought my heart would beat through my chest and roll around on the autobahn
right in front of me.
I hadn’t been drinking, but five years away from retirement and a pension, I
still was on the edge of throwing it all away. When I agreed, he asked if I
would follow him and his female officer colleague to the back of his car to
administer the test. Once the test read all zero, they both smiled and said
thank you for not drinking and driving and if I would be so kind as to go back
to my vehicle, they would bring me my license and registration once complete.
Moments later, they both came back to my car window, handed me my credentials,
and said be safe and have a good rest of the night…or morning…then laughed…and
again wished us a good day.
I’m still flabbergasted. I don’t get treated that well at a restaurant where
customer service is supposed to be key, much less a traffic stop known to be
significantly problematic for black people."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
