The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Visit to The Mob Museum unearth’s a writer’s prejudice
I profile. I discovered that at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, in the new “Use of Force” exhibit.
When I sense a threat, I’ll shoot a man, but pause for a woman. It’s not a conscious choice. My body just responds unless I override it with my brain. And there’s no time to weigh options in menacing situations.
The “Use of Force” exhibit works like this. I was handed a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun (airsoft version). A former law-enforcement officer offered brief firearms instruction. Keep fingers off the trigger until necessary, use two hands and aim for the largest mass.
He also talked through police technique — announce yourself, order the perpetrator to drop the weapon and show his or her hands. Instruction is followed by target practice. For someone who has never shot a gun, I did well in this controlled situation.
Then, acting as a “new officer,” I faced two video and one live-action simulations. In each, I had to apply what I had learned, then make an instantaneous decision on using my gun.
Although the scenarios are make-believe, my adrenaline was surging. I’m competitive, and I wanted to win. I wanted to make the right decision and come away reassured of my good judgment. I didn’t want to die. Even fictitiously.
I nailed the first two simulations, judging when to shoot and when to hold fire. Except when a masked burglar had female form. For her, I held back. In that Instructors at The Mob Museum display the duty belt visitors are outfitted with when they participate in the Use of Force Training Experience.
nanosecond, she shot me. I realized what had happened as I holstered my faux weapon. I judged by
gender. I profiled.
I perceived the woman — a video woman — as non-threatening and lost
the game. I will argue endlessly that I don’t prejudge. But, in a moment of truth, I judged by gender.
Maybe I didn’t shoot because I’m also a woman. Maybe I didn’t shoot because I perceive women as less-threatening. Maybe I didn’t shoot because she might be somebody’s mother.
I don’t really know what happened or what would happen in reality. And I hope I never find out.
But this bothered me. I’d like to think law-enforcement officers are aware of their prejudices and trained to overcome them. I’d like to think that male lives matter, black lives matter, all lives matter.
That’s the goal of the exhibit, Crime Today/ Global Networks,” visitors use touchscreens to learn about 21st-century crime groups. When you’re done in the museum, keep the mafia tone going with the museum-and-dinner ticket for Oscar’s Steakhouse at Plaza Hotel. The recently renovated — or perhaps preserved — throwback hotel named its steakhouse after Oscar Goodman, a former mayor and defense attorney who represented numerous individuals charged with organized-crime offenses. Goodman led the vision for The Mob Museum and serves on its board. Dinner includes a cocktail and a three-course menu, including 8-ounce filet mignon, chicken or salmon and dessert.
300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas, 702-229-2734, mobmuseum.org.
Plaza Hotel & Casino, 1 Main St., Las Vegas, 702-386-7227, oscarslv.com. which reaches about 100 people each day.
“The Museum wants guests to take away a better understanding the complexities and multiple perspectives around useof-force cases,” says Geoff Schumacher, senior director of content at The Mob Museum. “Training and exercises are essential to prepare for encounters and make for better decision making. The Museum wants guests who experience this exhibit to leave better informed and prepared to discuss use-offorce issues.”
It worked for me.