The Police Are Not Our Friends

“Can I just talk to you over here for a moment?” It’s not the first time this question made me feel uncomfortable.  I remember when my parents would give me a quick ‘talking to’ about something I did wrong or when my teachers would inform me of my unacceptable behavior. Over the years, I have heard this phrase from many people in positions of authority, from social workers to the police, in attempts to bring people in line with ‘acceptable’ behavior.