The Persecution of Professionalism

“Those who disrespect you with their mouth don't deserve your ear.” ― Curtis Tyrone Jones

I am tired of DISRESPECT.

Time and time again I hear people who are demonstrating a better-than-thou persona using academic achievement as their guide. Over and over again there is no respect shown for professionalism and knowledge while hard working Americans continue to be of service to their fellow countrymen and women. Only the elitist view of education is recognized as having value by some of the overeducated and underperforming no matter how devoid of practical knowledge their “education” may often be.

It has been disrespectfully said that those who can’t do teach. Of course this is not really true, as many teachers have and do contribute greatly to our society outside the academic world. Perhaps the concept of those who can’t do is even more appropriately applied to career politicians whose lack of respect, appreciation, concern and understanding for the career path of hard-working Americans is astonishing. Many are showing little to no recognition or compassion for highly skilled and compensated blue-collar trades which required years of apprenticeships and training. These are careers, not just jobs.

Law enforcement is a perfect example of a career that is being disrespected. The police officer hiring process is relatively extensive within itself. Typically it involves a written test, physical ability test, medical exam, extensive background check, polygraph test, psychological screening and an oral board interview. Once approved for hire, each person must successfully complete a police academy which can last up to six months. Then on to a probation period during which time you work with a senior partner (Field Training Officer) and receive on-the-job training. On average it is not uncommon to take five to six years or longer to become a seasoned police officer. Plus there is ongoing mandated continuing education and in-service training. In spite of a high level of screening review and regulation, alarmingly, law enforcement is increasingly being subjected to legislative actions and Citizen Review Boards with mandates and oversight by individuals lacking the knowledge, training or experience to make rulings or sit in fair judgment of those who are placing their very lives on the line to serve and protect. Talk about a lack of respect for professionalism!

Occupations with apprenticeships

In fiscal year 2016, the U.S Department of Labor counted about 500,000 active apprentices in more than 21,000 registered apprenticeship programs across the country. Careers such as:

· Boilermakers

· Carpenters · Coal Miners · Electricians · Elevator installers and repairers · Glaziers · Insulation workers · Ironworkers · Masonry workers · Millwrights · Musical instrument repairers and tuners

· Pipefitter · Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters · Sheet metal workers

· Along with many other specific careers requiring professional training and vast experience to achieve a mastery level in a person’s chosen career path.

Disrespectful politicians think that career transition is easy without acknowledging that many skill sets are not readily transferable, nor are the same, nor are earning levels going from a mastery position to an entry-level one. Examples: Biden says learn to code; Climate Czar John Kerry says go work in lower-paying jobs largely not yet created in the wind turbine or solar panel industry. So a pipeline worker can seamlessly transition to a solar power manufacturer or technician, just as a surgeon can become a chef because they both use knives? Not much critical thought went into that, did it? The disrespect and persecution of the working class must end.

What if all of the colleges, universities, research facilities and think tanks were abruptly shut down? What would the vast majority of the unemployed strict academics do? It would surely separate those who can and cannot do outside an academic “utopia.”

In the end, does persecution make us stronger? Time will tell. The lessons of the past show us that those who persecute others have historically done so in fear that the truth the persecuted are carrying will be revealed.

In the meantime, perhaps we all need to hone our own critical thinking skills. It is then that truth should become most apparent and professionals, such as those in law enforcement and others, may finally receive the respect that has been earned once more.

Joel E. Gordon is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com