We are demanding police transparency and accountability so we

"We are demanding police transparency and accountability so we can build trust and work together to make our communities safer." These words, spoken by the noble Malcolm Jenkins, carry a weight of urgency and wisdom that transcends the moment in which they are spoken. For in the pursuit of justice, transparency, and accountability, there lies the foundation upon which societies can be rebuilt—not with walls of division, but with bridges of trust. Transparency is the revealing of truth, and accountability is the commitment to uphold that truth. When these two forces come together, they form the bedrock of a society that seeks not to control through fear, but to lead through integrity and shared purpose.

In the history of humankind, the need for trust between the governed and those who govern has been paramount. The ancient Greek city-states, though often marked by war and strife, were also marked by the ideal of civic duty—an understanding that the power of the rulers must be rooted in the trust of the people. Pericles, the great Athenian leader, once spoke of the need for leaders to act with honor and responsibility to the citizens they served. His vision was of a society where the rulers were not above reproach, but instead accountable to the very people whose lives they impacted. In this ancient world, the seeds of accountability were planted, reminding us that for a society to thrive, all its members must work together in mutual respect and shared responsibility.

Yet, history also reveals the painful truth that power, when unchecked, often corrupts. Rome, the mighty empire that stretched across the known world, fell not only because of external enemies but also because of internal rot. The rulers grew distant from the people, their actions hidden behind walls of secrecy, their accountability stripped away. When the voice of the people is ignored, when trust is violated, the very foundations of society crumble. This is the peril Malcolm Jenkins speaks to in his call for transparency and accountability—for when the bond between citizens and their protectors is broken, the safety of the entire community is at risk.

The demand for transparency and accountability in the police—in those who are sworn to protect us—echoes through the ages as a cry for justice. Consider the life of Nelson Mandela, who spent years fighting not just for the freedom of his people but for a society where justice was not a privilege for the few, but a right for all. In his prison cell, Mandela’s vision of a free, just, and accountable South Africa was born. He knew that without transparency, without accountability, there could be no true reconciliation. He understood that the path to healing and peace required those in power to be honest with the people, to be open about their actions, and to take responsibility for the lives they affected. Mandela’s struggle teaches us that justice cannot be blind; it must be seen and understood by all, for only then can trust be rebuilt.

In our modern world, the call for transparency is no less urgent. Malcolm Jenkins, through his powerful words, is not only calling for a reformation of systems but for the restoration of human dignity. He speaks not just for the oppressed, but for every citizen who seeks a safer, more just world. Communities are built on trust, and trust is built on truth. When those entrusted with power act with integrity, when they are willing to be held accountable for their actions, the entire fabric of society strengthens. In contrast, when they act in secrecy, when they evade responsibility, they tear at the very fabric that holds us together.

So, what lesson must we, the heirs of these ancient truths, take from Malcolm Jenkins' words? We must demand transparency and accountability from those in power, not out of a desire for vengeance, but out of a need for justice. We must build communities where trust is not just a lofty ideal, but a tangible reality. We must come together, as citizens and leaders alike, to work towards a future where safety does not come at the cost of oppression, but through cooperation and mutual respect. It is not enough to sit idly by while the system falters; we must stand, speak, and act to ensure that justice is always served.

The path forward is clear: demand transparency, but also offer accountability in our own lives. Let us not wait for change to come from others, but recognize that we are all stewards of the trust within our communities. Work together to create a world where every person can feel safe, valued, and heard. In this union of transparency, accountability, and trust, we shall find the strength to build not just safer communities, but a society that honors the dignity of all its members. Let this be our legacy: a world where justice is not a distant hope but a living, breathing reality, nourished by the very principles that guided our ancestors and will guide our future.