Mica Waters: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020
GoLocalProv News Team
Mica Waters: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020
The death of George Floyd sparked actions around the country, including Providence — where riots in the city in June saw businesses vandalized, and anti-police sentiment expressed — including “ACAB” spray-painted on City Hall, for “All Cops are Bastards.”
The division between the anti-police and pro-law enforcement ranks was exacerbated time and time again — but for one Providence police office, it didn’t have to be black or white — or black or blue.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Why Can’t I Be Blue and Support BLM? Why Can’t I Be Black & Support the Blue?” wrote three year Providence police officer Mica Waters in GoLocal.
At a time when the divide couldn’t seem to get much wider, Waters provided commentary for people to consider — on all sides.
“Not many can understand the mental struggle it has been to be a Black Female Officer today,” she wrote. “Not many would understand what it is like to prove your blackness to your community that you grew up and still live in. Or what it’s like to prove to the people you work with that your a black female that can do this job! I shouldn’t have to choose a side.”
“I swore an oath to protect & serve the community. I have chosen to be part of a bigger solution that not everyone can be a part of. This calling is not for everyone. Yes, it comes with difficult decisions & not many will understand or like the decision I may have to make for them,” she added. “Just know if I show up you will be handled with the best intentions whether you like it or not. I go to bed every night saying I made the right decision. I will break the cycle.”
Waters, in taking the time to express her sentiments, gave people a compelling reason to pause, and consider that there are many issues to consider in oftentimes complicated dynamics.
For that, this police officer made a difference in 2020.