Letters: Uvalde officers' failure no reason to paint all police as 'ineffectual' cowards
Don't lump all police together
The inaction of the Uvalde police was both appalling and inexcusable, and those officers who failed to act must be investigated and held accountable for their lack of action if warranted.
More: 'It was the wrong decision.' For 79 minutes, police failed to act as children died at Uvalde school
However, let's not use this failure to paint all police as being feeble, ineffectual, unprofessional, or even cowardly. This is plainly and undeniably untrue, derogatory, and cruel.
Like all professions, police officers differ with some being great, others mediocre, and still some not so good. Courageous, professional officers should be praised and rewarded while inept, unprofessional officers should be criticized and held accountable.
More: Editorial: Make it easier for good cops to do the right thing
In the '60s, I witnessed firsthand the unwarranted cruelty and abuse far too many directed toward veterans of the Vietnam War, rather than directing their ire toward the policy and decision makers who initiated and conducted the war. Many blamed all veterans who fought in the war, the vast majority of whom were merely serving their country and trying to stay alive so they could one day return to their families.
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As a society, we attempted to correct these injustices in the following decades but, for many, the wounds of the initial denunciation never fully healed.
Let's not make this same mistake again.
More: Delayed response in Uvalde school shooting faces Justice Department review
Condemn the individual officers who failed to act and hold those individuals accountable. But do not define all police by the actions of only a very few.
Alex Maggard, Whitehall
Muslims honor their country: the US
Monday, May 30 was Memorial Day. While an extended holiday, it is important to remember those that have died while serving in the country's armed forces.
More: Hundreds turn out to Grove City Memorial Day parade, ceremony to remember the fallen
As Ahmadi Muslims, we often face persecution in many Muslim-majority countries. We are fortunate and thankful for the religious freedom provided in this country allowing us to freely and openly practice our faith.
We understand and acknowledge that our veterans are critical in ensuring these freedoms and rights and have gratitude for their service. In fact, many Muslim Americans have served in our armed forces due to their conviction in what this nation stands for.
More: Take time to remember on Memorial Day
According to the Holy Prophet, “Love of one’s country is a part of faith." In this same Islamic vein, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Caliph of Islam and the worldwide leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has stated, “As citizens of any country, we Ahmadi Muslims, will always show absolute love and loyalty to the State... Whenever a country requires its citizens to make sacrifices the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will always be ready to bear such sacrifices.”
May this day always serve as a day of reflection on how far we have come as a nation and how we can best proceed for the future.
Samar Ahmad, Pickerington
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Don't judge all police by Uvalde Texas officers actions
