ACAB means that all cops are bastards. And if one isn’t a bastard yet, they will become a bastard or be kicked out/killed by the bastards.
It doesn’t mean cops can’t do good things or that a good person can’t become a cop. It just means all cops inherently and inevitably participate in a broken system and those that try to fix it will end up being targeted.
It’s a phrase that explicitly denies any possibility of a nuanced take, or any possibility of reform or anyone good attempting to change the system from the inside. It indiscriminately labels everyone who takes a job to enforce laws globally. It’s crass and I hate it. And no, I’m not a cop
There are certainly cases where internal reform attempts fail. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I see ACAB as a counsel of despair- it’s basically saying that it is intrinsically impossible for the rule of law to to be maintained in a fair, equitable and humane way.
I don’t expect to change anyone’s minds. I’m just explaining why I dislike it.
Do you think the goal of ACAB style movements is “kill everyone who is a cop, change nothing, and the world is saved”?
That wasn’t my first thought, no.
But to be honest, I don’t think I’d waste my time if I were you - I don’t think you’re particularly interested in a conversation, and you’ve apparently made up your mind what kind of person I am, so best to move on.
I see it explicitly as a call to reform. If all cops are bastards, the only way to not have bastards as cops is reform. And if the reform works, the phrase dies.
I agree it’s a combative phrase, but that’s part of the point. It’s a call to action
I agree that it’s a call for reform and that reform is needed. I just it damages the chances of successful report.
If a force or its regulators are trying to get to grips with corruption, they are going to want to ask questions like ‘to what extent is corruption a problem’ or ‘in which departments is corruption worst?’ ‘All cops are bastards’ is a problem.
You have stories like this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66842521 I think there are cops who are trying - and succeeding to make it better. ‘All cops are bastards’ is basically punching those reformers. It will also put off good people who do want to enter the force, because why would you, if it makes you a bastard?
ACAB means that all cops are bastards. And if one isn’t a bastard yet, they will become a bastard or be kicked out/killed by the bastards.
It doesn’t mean cops can’t do good things or that a good person can’t become a cop. It just means all cops inherently and inevitably participate in a broken system and those that try to fix it will end up being targeted.
We can have a nuanced take while saying ACAB.
The Choirboys is a drop in the bucket.
It’s a phrase that explicitly denies any possibility of a nuanced take, or any possibility of reform or anyone good attempting to change the system from the inside. It indiscriminately labels everyone who takes a job to enforce laws globally. It’s crass and I hate it. And no, I’m not a cop
It also says you can’t change the system from inside. This article is about that. I think that’s proven by themselves.
There are certainly cases where internal reform attempts fail. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I see ACAB as a counsel of despair- it’s basically saying that it is intrinsically impossible for the rule of law to to be maintained in a fair, equitable and humane way.
I don’t expect to change anyone’s minds. I’m just explaining why I dislike it.
And you also see windmills as giants, but that doesnt make you correct, or compelling.
I mean, I didn’t expect to change your mind. But I suppose I should ask - what kind of organisation do you favour to handle law enforcement?
Do you think the goal of ACAB style movements is “kill everyone who is a cop, change nothing, and the world is saved”?
Or are you capable of grasping nuance?
Because Im not going to waste my time explaining anything to the former, which you seem adamant to demonstrate you are.
So which are you?
That wasn’t my first thought, no.
But to be honest, I don’t think I’d waste my time if I were you - I don’t think you’re particularly interested in a conversation, and you’ve apparently made up your mind what kind of person I am, so best to move on.
I have your comments in the thread advocating what kind of person you are.
And, based on those comments, thats exactly what your first thought was upon hearing the phrase.
Are you upset I took you at your word? Go cry at the foot of a windmill then, don.
I see it explicitly as a call to reform. If all cops are bastards, the only way to not have bastards as cops is reform. And if the reform works, the phrase dies.
I agree it’s a combative phrase, but that’s part of the point. It’s a call to action
I agree that it’s a call for reform and that reform is needed. I just it damages the chances of successful report.
If a force or its regulators are trying to get to grips with corruption, they are going to want to ask questions like ‘to what extent is corruption a problem’ or ‘in which departments is corruption worst?’ ‘All cops are bastards’ is a problem.
You have stories like this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66842521 I think there are cops who are trying - and succeeding to make it better. ‘All cops are bastards’ is basically punching those reformers. It will also put off good people who do want to enter the force, because why would you, if it makes you a bastard?