Reframing the examination of policing's structural racism and cultural bias as a core professional responsibility, not an attack on law enforcement, following Sor Juana's institutional criticism.
Sor Juana critiqued the Catholic Church from within, arguing that authentic faith required questioning unjust practices. Similarly, honest police professionals should examine their institutions' systemic biases as a mark of integrity. Too often, internal critique is labeled as 'anti-police' and suppressed, allowing harmful patterns to persist. A Sor Juana-inspired culture makes institutional critique—examining racial disparities in enforcement, analyzing training gaps, investigating discriminatory practices—a mark of professional excellence, not disloyalty. This requires leadership that welcomes scrutiny, systems for anonymous reporting and investigation of bias, and professional development that includes historical analysis of policing's role in colonialism and racial control. When officers can critique their institutions without fear of retaliation, problems get identified early and corrections become possible. Institutional critique strengthens policing by building legitimacy through demonstrated commitment to fairness.
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