As millions of people around the country come to the streets and raise their voices in protest of George Floyd's death and the continued issue of unequal justice, many have asked how we can maintain momentum to effect genuine change. Finally, it will be up to a new generation of activists to develop techniques that are appropriate for the times. However, I believe there are some fundamental lessons to be drawn from previous initiatives that should be remembered.

First, the waves of protests around the country reflect genuine and justified dissatisfaction with the United States' decades-long failure to improve police practises and the broader criminal justice system. The vast majority of those who have taken part have been peaceful, courageous, responsible, and inspiring. They need our respect and support, not our contempt, as police in communities like Camden and Flint have demonstrated admirably.

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On the other hand, the small minority of people who have resorted to violence in various forms, whether out of genuine rage or opportunism, are endangering innocent people, exacerbating the destruction of neighbourhoods that are often already lacking in services and investment, and detracting from the larger cause. Today, I watched an older black woman crying as she was interviewed since the lone grocery store in her neighbourhood had been destroyed. If history is any guide, it may take years for the store to reopen. So let us not justify, rationalise, or participate in violence. If we want our criminal justice system and, by extension, American society to operate on a better ethical code, we must model that code ourselves.

Second, I've seen some argue that the persistent problem of racial bias in our criminal justice system indicates that only protests and direct action can effect change, and that voting and political involvement are a waste of time. I couldn't agree with you more. The goal of protest is to increase public consciousness, shine a light on injustice, and make the powers that be uncomfortable; in reality, throughout American history, the political system has often only paid attention to marginalised people in response to protests and civil disobedience. However, ambitions must finally be transformed into concrete laws and institutional practises — and in a democracy, this can happen only when we elect government leaders who respond to our demands.

Furthermore, we must understand which layers of government have the greatest influence on our criminal justice system and police behaviour. Many of us think about politics exclusively in terms of the presidency and the federal government. And, yes, we should strive to ensure that we have a president, a Congress, a United States Justice Department, and a federal judiciary that acknowledge the persistent, destructive role of racism in our society and desire to do something about it. However, the elected people who have the most influence in improving police departments and the criminal justice system operate at the state and municipal levels.

Most police chiefs are appointed by mayors and county executives, and collective bargaining agreements with police unions are negotiated by them. District and state attorneys decide whether or not to investigate and eventually charge people involved in police misconduct. All of those are elected posts. In certain localities, police review bodies with the authority to supervise police behaviour are also elected. Unfortunately, voter turnout in these local races is usually pitifully low, particularly among young people — which makes no sense given the direct impact these offices have on social justice issues, let alone the fact that who wins and who loses those seats is often determined by only a few thousand, or even a few hundred, votes.

So, the bottom line is that if we want to effect meaningful change, we must choose between protest and politics. We must do both. We must mobilise to increase awareness, and we must organise and vote to ensure that we elect politicians who will implement reform.

Finally, the more concrete our demands for criminal justice and police reform are, the more difficult it will be for elected officials to just pay lip service to the cause and then return to business as usual once the protests have ended. The content of that reform programme will fluctuate depending on the community. A large metropolis may require one set of reforms, whereas a rural town may require another. Some agencies may need to be completely rebuilt, while others may only need to make small changes. Every law enforcement organisation should have clear regulations in place, including an independent organisation that investigates allegations of misconduct. Local activists and organisations will need to conduct research and educate fellow people in their community on what techniques work best in order to tailor reforms for each town.

But, as a starting point, here is a report and toolkit created by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which is based on the work of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which I established while in the White House. And, if you want to take meaningful action, the Obama Foundation has built a dedicated site to combine and guide you to relevant resources and groups that have been fighting the good fight at the local and national levels for years.

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I know that the past several months have been difficult and discouraging, with the dread, anguish, uncertainty, and suffering of a pandemic exacerbated by heartbreaking reminders that bigotry and injustice continue to affect so much of American life. But, when I witness the increased activism of young people of all races and stations in recent weeks, I am encouraged. If we can channel our legitimate rage into peaceful, persistent, and effective action in the future, this moment could be a true watershed moment in our country's long path to live up to its best principles. MedsDental MedsDental is highly proficient in solving collection-related problems for dental practices and empowering them to receive their payments on time. Our team follows a pragmatic approach to all dental billing related problems, so you can continue to provide the care your patients expect from you.