An Impossible Situation

Police shooting in Oakland

I don't know the entire political situation in Oakland. I only know that there is always a tension between the police and the community. In an effort to establish the authority, liberties are taken, liberties are taken away, and the resentment grows. The authority becomes an oppressor. Unchecked authority becomes systematic oppression, the target typically the minority, who can offer the least resistance.

Violence begets violence. Oppression leads to pushback, sometimes passively, sometimes violently. When the authority is no longer seen as serving the majority, revolutions should occur.

Yet, humans are imperfect, selfish, violent. What could take the police's place? Can an authority be established that isn't oppressive? What would it look like without police?