Feature: Darolyn Mangum – Follow the Leader Syndrome

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There is a lot of tension across the globe stemming from the verdicts surrounding the deaths of 3 African American males at the hands of White police officers. It is very disturbing to hear the police officers will have their freedom, while families suffer from tragic deaths of loved ones.

Although, they are free they will not have peace, due to being forced to re-locate to protect their safety, not being able to freely leave their residence without being ostracized, employment options will be limited because they will be targeted. Media coverage often escalates the tension, which causes a spiral effect of events.

When verdicts are announced people are outraged, every news channel and radio station continue to replay events that took place before and after the verdict is read. Of course that is their job, but what happens is the more people hear, the more they react.

It is normal to get upset and express how you feel, but there are many people who go to the extreme to be heard, the problem is they cause harm and destruction, but that does not change the verdict. It takes one person or a group of people to start commotion and before you know it, there’s the “follow the leader syndrome.”

People were causing destruction of property and bodily injury to prove a point. There were business owners who watched their business go up in flames or be destroyed who were just as upset about the injustice, but there was nothing they could do.

The angry protesters were trying to prove a point to the community without thinking about their actions. There were children who participated in the violence because their parents allowed them. The adults were not thinking of the impact they were making in the lives of the children.

There are ways to handle anger when things seem unfair in your community. The number one thing is to THINK before acting. Anger can cause actions that are thought about later, but it’s too late to change what has been done. The second thing is, not to let your anger build because someone else is outraged. Oftentimes, people are angry, but if they see others reacting they jump on the bandwagon, to “follow the leader,” in support of their angry friend.

While watching the news coverage of the protesting there were thousands of people in the streets, it’s hard to believe all of those people had anger issues that severe that they destroyed cities, many of them were copycats, or just took the opportunity to be destructive. The third thing people should realize is their actions, no matter how destructive they are will not change one verdict.

The deaths were VERY unfortunate and the verdicts were VERY unfair which caused a lot of anger, however we are all responsible for our actions and two wrongs have never made a right. Since the verdicts there are people who are against ALL police officers and feel that ALL judges are crooked.

There are police officers who are upset, judges who are upset, and former jurors as well. If people continue to have this outrage against police, there will be police officers targeted who think the verdicts were unfair and have the same opinion as the angry protestors, but they will face consequences simply because they are police.

It does appear in all three cases the murders were racial and unfortunately the verdicts were as well, however, as a people we have to realize that no matter how unfair we think the law is destroying property and causing bodily injury won’t change things. Anger can cause more harm than good, but once an action has been displayed, once you sleep on it, it’s too late to take it back once you realize you made a mistake, or acted out of impulse.

Darolyn Mangum is certified as an educator, counselor, anger resolution therapists, certified coach and the founder of Developing Dreams Consulting. Also a motivational/transformational speaker and the author of, “The Butterfly Effect: Transform from Your Cocoon,” a book that speaks to women who are ready to spread their wings integrating self-discovery; self love, and inspiration to guide them toward personal growth. For more information, visit www.dreams2realitycoach.com 

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