Make no mistake: Pathfinder Labs, Inc. is devoted to the well-being of the entire community. This dedication is regardless of community member's race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, service status, discharge status, employment, or any other perceived differentiation between individuals. We employ, commission, and support everyone on one condition: they also value equality, diversity, and inclusion.
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| Always look for symbols of inclusion. Lower Manhattan. |
The first half of 2020 was - in an underwhelming word - rough. COVID-19, nationwide lock-down, economic turmoil, armed protests of quarantine orders, stop movement in civilian and military sectors, the list goes on. Add in some "murder hornets" and 17-year cicadas hatching, an earlier-than-anticipated tropical storm pattern in the Atlantic, and a host of other issues and most Apocalypse Bingo cards were well on their way to full before the end of April. People across the country were on edge, and rightfully so.
Meanwhile, a series of incidents - isolated to each other but indicative of a pattern - took place in cities around the country. An unarmed jogger was murdered by vigilantes who were not immediately arrested and prosecuted because of their connection to local police and the state District Attorney. An unarmed woman was killed in her bedroom by police executing a no-knock warrant on the wrong home against the wrong individual. A man died after a police officer placed his full weight on the man's neck for over 8 minutes while other officers looked on. The officer had complaints filed against him in the past for excessive force which were not acted upon. In each of these cases and multiple others the injured and killed parties were black Americans while the assailants were white men duty-bound to protect all Americans.
Not nearly all police are "bad" or racists - but there is an undeniable pattern of discrimination that indicates systemic issues in training, sensitivity, and the lack of bias identification and filters in police hiring. The "Blue Wall of Silence" too often protects those in uniform; those in the brotherhood seldom speak out against or report on each other even if it might prevent racists from gaining a foothold in the ranks. This is noted not just in media but reported over years in police forces, internal investigation reports, and coordinated research studies. It's not everyone, but given the power of an arresting officer even one racist or bigot in uniform is enough for concern. And while the violent, abusive, and supremacist officers are a minority among the overall national force, it's also not just one. Normally a few bad apples shouldn't spoil the bunch, but when those bad apples are buried and protected within the barrel it can contaminate a much wider swath.
We learned tolerance from our time in the military; our time sitting across a table from those who wanted to kill us, those in opposing forces, still taught us that no group is entirely evil except the group that hates. Sadly, the military also is also no stranger to bias and discrimination, and it hurts more when it's the people supposed to be on your side. These are your countrymen, but still there's hate and racism within the ranks. Officers and Enlisted of color become less prevalent as you look in higher ranks across the branches, women struggle against hateful comments and blatant abuse, LGBTQIA+ consistently come under needless scrutiny as to whether they "belong" in service to their country. Military and Veterans - despite common regard as all being "heroes" - will assault, rape, and murder each other based on everything from skin color to religion. The bad apples are once again those committing such acts and, just as behind the Blue Wall, those who protect them.
But we stood against them then and continue to do so now.
Reform is needed, in law enforcement and in the military. In the Army, when someone is consistently failing at a task they are sent for retraining. We are failing our society - it is time to retrain. Laws must place the responsibility for the well-being of all persons in the custody of a public servant firmly in the oversight of the arresting or confining official. Vigilantes need to be discouraged and prosecuted without concern for politics or protection, and hate speech and symbols unequivocally derided from the highest positions of authority. Racism needs to be purged from the ranks, and selection procedures must be in place to stop these people from positions of service where they may be faced with holding a life in their hands.
Pathfinder Labs has no politics in terms of party, but we will not tolerate hate. We support peaceful protests and movements that take action against those who seek to control, subdue, or discriminate.
We want to make sure all our readers and users understand this in no uncertain terms. We've looked at the data, we've lived the experiences. Your profession or volunteering for service does not automatically make you a good or bad person, nor does your skin color or who you love. What makes you a good or bad person is your actions, your regard for others, your ability to listen, and working as a cooperating member of a diverse society.
We also strongly urge tactics of peaceful protest, forming alliances and working together, and setting unified goals of reform in our public - and military - sectors.
Lastly, for those of you affected by violence, by discrimination or hatred, or by any of the stresses of this year, you are not alone. We stand with you and will help you connect to organizations that can provide support services in person or remotely. Search our database at www.pathfinder.vet and share with others your notes for local therapists, benefits and social support advocates, and for other community assistance. Together, we will get through this.
We are only a United States if we are united.
With love,
Elana Duffy
CEO, Founder
Pathfinder Labs, Inc.
US Army
(OEF, OIF, Purple Heart)
And the diverse team of Veterans, family, and supportive civilians at Pathfinder Labs, Inc.