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"F--k tha police, coming straight from the underground. A young brother got it bad cuz I'm brown." -- Ice Cube
Newsflash: A lot of people – law-abiding citizens who happen to be African American – feel this way. I cannot begin to tell you how many of my friends, associates and colleagues do not f--k with the po-lice. Lawyers, doctors (even Ph.D.s -- Henry Louis Gates, ahem) would like to stay as far away from the cops as possible. But before you pigeonhole me, let me tell you about a recent experience with the Boyz in Blue.
Not too long ago, my 14-year-old daughter was walking with a group of friends - there were three boys and three girls in all – one summer evening. It was not yet dark, and a police cruiser followed the group for a block. Suddenly, two police officers jumped out of the car and told the teens to "go over there," meaning to get on a wall, and then asked them, "Who are you going to fight?" Apparently, there had been a shooting two blocks over, but frankly, rolling up on a bunch of kids during the light of day is at best lazy policing; at worst, harassment. Oh, yeah, I'm sure the boys in the group fit the description: Young. African American.
I was livid that my daughter, who is an A student and who has never even been in a fight, would have to endure this type of treatment in her own neighborhood. In fact, a lot of parents just tell their sons not to even move if they are stopped by the police, lest they get shot. It is stories like these that are far too common.
Yesterday, statistics were released in New York City about how police made nearly 170,000 "stop and frisks" in the last three months. African Americans and Hispanics, who each make up about 27 percent of the city's population, were stopped 88 percent of the time. Yet, of these stops, only 7 percent resulted in arrests. Last year, more than half-a-million people were stopped – 90 percent of whom were innocent.
Until last month, if you were stopped, your name would have been stored in an electronic database, along with all of the other criminals of the city. Thankfully, New York Gov. David Paterson saw this as a violation of civil rights and, with a new law, actually practiced the American principle of "innocent until proven guilty."
Being stopped for merely walking down the street is humiliating enough. To be treated as if you've already committed a crime just adds insult to injury. The nastiness, contempt and venom often associated with these "stop and frisks" is unnecessary. Where is it all coming from?
Ah, yes, as a journalist, I know that I am supposed to be objective, to look at things from all angles and to at least give the other side their say.
So here it goes: In many inner cities, crime is high, violent crime is higher and the police put their lives on the line every day.
But something is broken here. Something got lost along the way to "safety" that violates people's rights and their dignity. It is this type of routine harassment, this dehumanization, that sets the stage for something more deadly.
Take the latest incident in Harlem in which there was a "wild shootout" between two individuals over a girl. At the end of the day, one man was killed (shot by police), one man was shot 21 times (also by the police) and miraculously lived to tell about it, three bystanders were shot (one is suing the city for $20 million) and, oh, two cops were shot by friendly fire, because more than 46 rounds were squeezed off.
This whole notion of shoot first, ask questions later is getting a little dated, a little tired and people are rightfully angry. Maybe the answer is better police-community relations. Maybe it's more education for police – both general and around diversity. Maybe it's more transparency and real criminal convictions when a cop uses excessive force. Maybe it's better training in firearms. But whatever it is, it needs to happen fast.
Until then, there will be stalemates between the cops and the communities they allegedly protect and serve. Unfortunately, in my experience, it's more likely to be violate and harass ... and maybe even kill.
So here it goes: In many inner cities, crime is high, violent crime is higher and the police put their lives on the line every day.
But something is broken here. Something got lost along the way to "safety" that violates people's rights and their dignity. It is this type of routine harassment, this dehumanization, that sets the stage for something more deadly. Take the latest incident in Harlem in which there was a "wild shootout" between two individuals over a girl. At the end of the day, one man was killed (shot by police), one man was shot 21 times (also by the police) and miraculously lived to tell about it, three bystanders were shot (one is suing the city for $20 million) and, oh, two cops were shot by friendly fire, because more than 46 rounds were squeezed off.
This whole notion of shoot first, ask questions later is getting a little dated, a little tired and people are rightfully angry. Maybe the answer is better police-community relations. Maybe it's more education for police – both general and around diversity. Maybe it's more transparency and real criminal convictions when a cop uses excessive force. Maybe it's better training in firearms. But whatever it is, it needs to happen fast.
Until then, there will be stalemates between the cops and the communities they allegedly protect and serve. Unfortunately, in my experience, it's more likely to be violate and harass ... and maybe even kill.
Comments: (56)
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By: UJR on 8/28/2010 3:42PM
As a law abiding citizen I take it to heart for being pulled over by police officers and they come up with an excuse (so to speak) for doing so.
It's a form of degrading one's character and belittling them because 'they' have a 'license' to do so. I also fault the Black police officers that at times stand idly by and not stand up at the time this 'questioning' is going on in their presence.
I can understand if you feel suspicious about a large group, yes maybe even as far as to follow them, and even stop them and ask them what's up.
That right there could defray any type of negative action they might have been going to happen.
However, too many times Blacks have been abused by the 'system' that is set up to protect ALL of us and it once the courts get involved it seems to be brushed aside as if they were ONLY doing there job. When they allowed police officers to live wherever they like, that helped to muster up the negative attitudes with them and create negative attitudes in the Black community. Why would I care about 'LeShawn' and his buddies when my neighborhood is nothing like this, it's just a job.
It's not just a job, it is a link to keep peace in the community,it should be a bond between the authority and the peolple there. It doesn't matter if your a janitor, president of a company, or a police officer, your heart and soul should go into that job as if you are waiting on your mother, your friends and family, or yourself. Nowadays peolple want a check, and feel as long as they're on the clock they know their getting paid.
Some people shouldn't have badges and/or uniforms, they turn in to the Incredible Hulk (male or female). Come on politicians! You canvass the area and send out all this paper talk we receive in the mail, let's get involved (even if it's a representative) and get the youth to have some type of rapport with the police community.
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By: Cynthia Davis on 8/29/2010 4:28AM
Who are all these "honkeys" patrolling black sites, with their BORING comments! They're boring cause they all sound the same and don't matter!
We don't give a damn what's going on at your sites, and you wouldn't dare discuss any of this to any black person's face! Plus, I might also remind you that our ancestors built this country on their backs for free, and whites have been bitter towards us ever since, I wonder why? Think about it and get a back-bone while your at it! But thanks for sharing, NOT!
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By: Godzilla on 8/30/2010 12:04PM
I have discussed these things to a black persons face. You think that just because an EXTREMELY small amount of slaves picked cotton means they built this country?? Look how your people built the country of africa. They are only about 6000 years behind everyone else. Look at any black run ANYTHING. Total fail as usual.
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By: funsho on 9/18/2010 5:10AM
I suspect that Africa may not be a "country
I suspect that Africa may not be a country.
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By: funsho on 9/18/2010 5:37AM
I also suspect that 400 years of forced free labor had a positive effect on the American economy and growth. Other countries had to pay their laborers. I also suspect that when a continent is invaded, its people deceived, manipulated, subjugated and controlled by violence or the threat thereof on the basis of race, that it has a longlasting negative effect and could cause irreparable damage and dysfunction on a global scale. Especially if that continent is exploited economically, socially, and physically by European Colonialism. Racism (white supremacy) continues to be practiced on a global scale and the fear that feeds the hate is that JUSTICE may be produced (and one day it will). Meanwhile, it is amazing what is said and done to maintain the status quo.
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By: GC Loree on 10/11/2010 4:11PM
I understand completely. Our family is of mixed races. My son is an A student since fourth grade, he is a freshman on the varsity foorball team at his school, award winning wrestler, pillar of the community, and he has been pulled aside by the police more then once. One time, in 7th grade, he and a group of his fellow athletes walking home from practice were even told to get down on the ground at gun point. And because its such common practice in this small town, apparently I am the only parent who went off about this. It is everywhere and rediculous.
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