STARS: Finding Effective Ways to Mitigate Police Murdering

This is a small part in my suggestion to properly recruit, train and educate police forces around the nation so that there are less unjust murders and that everyone feels safe again, especially black people. 

The situation, Friday night in Atlanta, GA, further shows that we need to really start there with the proper training. Another black man dead, another cop fired, and the chief of police resigning. None of this is a good look. 

I would start with defunding.  Defunding is explained in my latest post on www.imjustdrew.com. I want funds to be allocated to the community and for resources that will actually make certain situations better and not worse.  For instance, I would call a crisis advocate rather than 911, on someone suffering a mental breakdown. I would do the same for someone suffering with alcoholism. There needs to be a classification and not a one size fits all approach for an officer with less than two months of formal training. 

I will refer to the most recently publizied situation here. First of all, it's two cops versus an intoxicated man. How does he get the taser first of all? I would make the tasers more difficult to obtain. Second, I know of ways to stun someone running without shooting center mass and ending their life. There are tranquilizer darts (although their potency needs improvement), pepper spray (why is this no longer an open), BBs or rubber bullets to center mass and even simply a crossbow. I want to see more effective methods implemented in what some view as a "grey area". 

I am confident in what our country can do in 2020. If we are the greatest country and the land of opportunity, why is this oppression still occurs. I believe it is time to take back integrity and power from the oppressors that never earned it in the first place. 

STARS: Keep the Beat Going

Yes we've seen it for the past decade. Evil white police/racist kills black person.  Black people get pissed, post various memes, articles, scream #BlackLivesMatter. And depending on how fierce everything is, march, riot, etc.  The media drops everything they're doing for a couple of weeks and spotlights this. 

This dissipates for weeks and months until the trial comes and the punishment doesn't fit the crime, if it even went to trial. Blacks and others get pissed again, do more protests. 

Then the worse happens. Everyone is quiet until the next violent hate crime occurs. 

Now that's the biggest crime: knowing injustice doesn't stop and yet little is done to stop it. 

Well I'm fed up with it, especially since I'm biracial. If #BlackLivesMatter is going to truly stand up to its name after the band marches on here's what needs to happen. 

I plan on going deep in prayer and meditation with those I have trusted and vetted, black and white. 

I then put my thoughts together with these same people, even those involved with #BlackLivesMatter to vote, run for the proper office and create an action plan to mitigate and minimize these crimes. This includes calling, texting and writing every elected official that is responsible for allowing the police and even the police for not arresting these cruel bastards.

I don't plan on letting up when others are no longer talking about it. We have to get others involved, do more action than talking and marching. I have said this before and will say it again. I feel it is time we have folks with that true conviction in their hearts. The rest need to be called on their BS and also vetted. 

I feel once we have the officials we need in place and the powers to be hear the outcry and realize this is an unjust system, we will have a stronger police force that is properly paid and funded. There will be harsher punishments for these hate crimes and police will think twice before abusing that badge.

 

I know that then and only then will all other lives matter. The reason is because black lives will FINALLY matter and not just for show or when it's convenient.

 

Let's get to work. This is not practice nor a rehearsal. 

#BlackLivesMatter 

STARS: Nailing that Amazon leadership job

My mind and heart are definitely consumed on finding effective solutions to dealing with police brutality. This will be a deep focus of mine. 

First, I'm going to provide some help to my fellow Amazonians who desire to move to the next level of leadership whether it be Process Assistant, TOM team, HR or even in Learning as a Trainer or Coordinator.  

Disclaimer" I have only been through the process and am still going to the process as I try to move up another level. I am not an interview facilitator nor have I been through the "Making Effective Hiring Decisions" seminar. I will discuss who to go to directly far as that route. 

Identify the job you want at the specific facility. Import your resume via flash drive and while you're on site within the Amazon network on the AtoZ (Hub). Go to Resources, JobFinder and type in the site code for the site you want to apply at. Look at all of the various jobs and apply for the ones you want. You can have up to four active jobs at once. 

You will need to learn the STAR method Situation, Task, Action, Results). There are resources in your local HR office, Career Choice center, and even YouTube. One video that really helped me was "Amazon STAR Interview" method. This video outlines exactly how to put together stories from your Amazon career and even outside work experience. It also details how to tie these experiences in with the STAR method and the Amazon leadership principles.

You want the STAR method to flow like you're telling a story, with really specific details and even numbers. You can request a mock interview from your AM or one of the Ops or Senior Ops managers at your site or other sites. They have to interview folks regularly, and they can give you honest, unbiased feedback to help out with your interview.

I will also say practice in front of a mirror, in front of a spouse or significant other and even record yourself. Have your questions and answers written out. I have about two scenarios for each leadership principle and I update those regularly.  To my folks already in a T3 role and going for another role or higher, it's uncanny how many different stories you can develop just from a single shift or week. 

Therefore, go for it, put in the work, put yourself out there and nail the interview. I want to see everyone succeed. Amazon may not have the best reputation overall but there are people that want to see you excel also. I'm living proof. 

STARS: Mailing Money Orders and ensuring their destination

Some of you know I handle my incarcerated uncle's money and am his power of attorney. I am also my mother's although it isn't official. If you're tracking, that's 4 accounts I watch (counting my major two). 

I almost messed up big time this month with my uncle but I made it right and everything ended up well. 

I correctly address and stamp a bunch of envelopes, as far as six months out. I even write the check out the day before so I can cash it the day following. 

I take the cash and then go to the USPS office and get my money order. I keep the receipt in a safe place until I confirm that my uncle has his money. 

I subscribed to the USPS digest about two months ago. This lets me know what is supposed to be coming to my mailbox. It is usually that day but I learned that if it's a return to sender case, it may be up to two weeks before you receive the letter.  That's why I found it better to have the address correct the first time down to the number and even send the money order early to have a larger window. 

I then receive verbal confirmation that the money order is received and I can discard the receipt if desired. I then prepare for the next month. 

STARS: Slowly Reentering the World

The pandemic still goes on but there is light now at the end of the tunnel. Locally and nationally, places and businesses are starting to open up. Some are doing it all at once. Others are doing it in waves and with restrictions.  One will have to assess how the viruses is still spreading and as weather continues to get hotter, how they should proceed. 

I will continue to go to work and to the grocery store as long as my health allows me to. I will continue to practice social distancing and wearing a mask and even gloves in some instances. An ounce of prevention is still a pound of cure. 

I will wait a week or two for crowds to die down each time a business reopens, such as indoor dining or a cafe. Some places will have restrictions but I am in no hurry to simply get more sick. I have tracked certain areas and have seen the positives and negatives. There are business owners that honestly don't care about CDC guidelines; they simply want to make money and recoup lost income. 

Finally, I plan to avoid any large crowds for a while. I will utilize my judgment as to how many people I should be around and increase that number over time. I saw many crowds gathering this past weekend. That is not the wise decision just yet. Everyone has to realize how we got into this and what is going to keep us out of this. A relapse could be way worse.

I know every restriction will not last and stick. However, I plan on doing my part and will stay away from those that aren't..

STARS: Gaining Patience

There are many qualities and values necessary to survive the current pandemic. One of those is definitely patience. 

I am actually not as patient as I appear or think. I get anxious and antsy over certain things. I too want the world to reopen, more people to come to work, and to at least go to a movie and sit in my favorite coffee shop. 

I am continuing to follow the guidelines laid out and protecting myself. I am practicing more breathing and meditation techniques. Liv Walton on the famed TV show "The Waltons" would often quote 10 Bible scriptures when she would get upset. 

I set short term daily and weekly goals and stay optimistic and positive.  I am not allowing any room for negativity, now more than ever. 

I also set blocks of extra quiet and productive planning and mental resetting. Everything hasn't been taken away from me so I am utilizing what I have. 

I have been able to breath easier, live, laugh, love and still enjoying life. Life is not over yet and I am going to embrace this phase and grow from it.

STARS: Finding Solutions

No one should feel bored right now. Tired? Frustrated? Groggy? Sad? Yeah all of those fit. But definitely not bored. 

This is the time where you need solutions to the small things to achieve the outcome we desire. 

I am going to continue to go to work as long as I am able since I am an essential worker. I will follow the CDC guidelines and even others such as home remedies, washing my shoes with alcohol, and drinking warm liquids. 

I am going to amp up my home workouts, mostly in the early afternoon and morning. 

Most of all, I am not going to lose faith that things will be ok. I am not certain what type of normal will come from this. I just know I will be equipped for it and not nervous nor anxious. I feel blessed. All of my friends and family are healthy, I can still go to work and earn gainful income, and I'm not going hungry.  

I'm entering my 10th year of blogging and I know this is a great time to be a writer. I plan on gearing my STAR series towards the pandemic. 

I will also refuse to be bored as I seek solutions to weather this storm.