{http://soundcloud.com/soundslikerstin/changing-my-perspective-skid-row-officer-deon-josep}

"We are changing. Put down your computers and talk with a cop.

You will find: we don't hate you."

Deon Joseph is an LAPD officer on Skid Row. In his early years he was known as 'Robocop' for his muscles and because he was arresting lots of people seemingly without a heart for the community. When the officer realized things did not change a lot, he "figuratively put down badge and gun" and started to talk more with the men and women he was there to serve and protect. I met him first at a vigil for 'Africa', an unarmed black man who had ben shot on Skid Row. My perspective was: this man's life could have been saved. Mingling at ease with homeless, church leaders and demonstraters, officer Joseph seemed to have an interesting point of view, but I never had the chance to talk with him. I went back to ask about police brutality and

met Officer Joseph again during the holidays where he was serving turkeys, kisses and hugs to countless people on Skid Row. He calls them his family. Witj me he openly shared his perspective on racism, the justice system, homlessness, the reality of fear on the job, and what it means to confront abuse, drug dealers, addicts, mentally ill men and women every day while trying to keep the community safe.

Officer Joseph did not serve me turkey but lots of food for thought. This is only a small excerpt, more soon at DRadio Wissen.  

[DRadio Wissen]

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