The Powers that Be would like us to believe that racism has been conquered. And, if anyone points out the racism that still permeates our society, they risk being labeled as a rabble-rouser. At risk of such a label I write this post.
I'm watching local news reports on ABC-7 and News Channel 8 today and see these horrible reports on the Metro Police Department's (MPD) New Year's plans. Now, I know that drunk driving incidents are most likely exponentially higher around New Year's - our culture demands that we drink, and some of us appreciate that culture much more than others!
I think we need to do something to ensure the safety of our people. The efforts of local taxi cab companies to provide free rides and Metro's extended hours are commendable. These examples keep people from driving, and thus keep the roads more safe.
Now, look at the MPD's offer. Are they offering to give free rides to your destination after an evening of fun? Quite the contrary: while they are offering free rides, they are taking you to their downtown facilities. The first two options are preventative: they protect the people and serve the community. But wait - isn't "to protect and to serve" the mantra of the Nation's police forces? Just a question...
The MPD will station two (2) mobile sobriety centers "across" the City. Of course, one will be in Southeast DC - which of course is predominantly Black. They didn't state where the other one will be located, but I'll bet you dollars to their donuts that it will be in another heavily Black populated community.
In the news report, you see them arresting several Black community. Not one white person - not even one non-Black person - was seen being cuffed. After showing those arrests, Chief Lanier comes on talking about the consequences for breaking the law. Then the news caster breaks in with, "if that's not enough to deter you, then maybe this might..." The program then flashes to this White family who lost a daughter as a victim of a drunk driver...I can't help but assume - from the tone of the story - that the driver was Black. The story set the tone that the perpetrators are Black and the Victims are White.
But, D.C. is Chocolate City! How can we stand for such a smack in the face? Why are all the arrests in the story of Black people. Why is the only victims of drunk drivers White? Why was this "mobile sobriety center" stationed in Southeast? Why not station it - and conduct the report from - near the boarder with Chevy Chase, MD? I mean countless people will be driving in from there to attend the numerous parties at the various embassies...where we know there'll be heavy drinking. But, that's me thinking...and I could just be a rabble-rouser for thinking that racism still exists. But, maybe you'll start thinking too! Then we can rouse the rabble together!
Peace and prosperity for 2008!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
To Protect & To Serve Whom?
In the Washington Post we read: "D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said yesterday that her reshuffling of the department has been misinterpreted by some critics and that she has treated whites and African Americans equally in assembling her new command team." (Full Story)
She said that she does not want people to focus on the wrong things. In her assessment, race would be the wrong thing on which to focus. Yet, D.C. is Chocolate City and certain things must be considered. My father is a retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshall - the second Black person in the Country to hold that post. Also, he is a former Assistant Chief of Police. In addition, he is responsible for developing and organizing an entirely new police department. I bank on his experience for my comments.
The old motto of police forces throughout the Country is: "To Protect & To Serve." But, that statement has always been a bit troubling to Black America. The question has always been, to protect whom...to serve whom? Throughout the history of this Country Black America has had poor relations with the police. If it was not billy clubs and police dogs, it was Rodney King beatings, 41 shots for Diallo's wallet, the sodomy of Abner Louima and countless examples of police brutality. It has been a relationship encased in threats of police sanctioned violence. It has been a history of disrespect for Black people by police forces across America.
So, to protect and to serve whom? For Black America, the prevailing sense has been that the police exist to protect and serve the interests of White America. Police are affectionately called "overseers," keepers of the new plantation. Now many would like to dispel my comments as on the fringe, yet anyone who truly considers themselves a public servant must face this fact. Black America has distrust for the police.
Compound this sentiment with Chief Lanier's reshuffle of the police leadership. To have a police force where the leadership is predominantly White, in a city that is predominantly Black is insensitive to say the least. It is also arrogant and disrespectful. Chief Lanier may like to believe that these are the wrong things to consider, yet if she truly cares she would understand this to be the most important consideration. If she were not insensitive, she would consider that many in the District already believe (and see) that there is a plan to change the demographics of the City. She would take into consideration the fact that Black people in Chocolate City are upset that they are being displaced and marginalized in their own city.
Chief Lanier, you are right - performance must be considered. We all want an effective police force. But, imperative to that success is the racial dynamic of that force. Are you saying that the Black officers could not learn to perform at high levels? Are you saying there are no Blacks anywhere in the Country who perform - or could perform - at a level which meets your expectations? Chief Lanier, are you saying that there are no Blacks in law enforcement capable to fit your requirements?
Chief, I ask you to consider this. Many - if not most - of the police officers in the District of Columbia have no connection to the community. They do not live in the District. Therefore, they do not know the people. And therefore, the people do not trust them. With your restructuring and removing of Black officers/assistant chiefs, you further alienate the community. So, who do you protect? Who do you serve? What gestures are you going to make to assure the Black majority in this city that you are not part of the effort to cause a dramatic shift in the racial demographics of Chocolate City? What commitments will you make?
Because Mayor Adrian Fenty has blacked-out his administration through whitewash, maybe these considerations are of no concerns to you. Maybe since the Mayor seems to serve the interests of the minority, you might be able to ignore these questions. Honestly, I cannot fault you. Yet, Democracy in America mandates majority rule. Like it or not, in D.C., Black people are the majority. So, the solution: we - Black in D.C. - must do more...
So, Black people of D.C. - both immigrant and native - remember: D.C. is Chocolate City! This is our city, until we give it away. It was once said, "It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated...it is finished when it surrenders." We must not surrender our place in the District.
With hope, I remain ever vigilant: for D.C. is Chocolate City!
She said that she does not want people to focus on the wrong things. In her assessment, race would be the wrong thing on which to focus. Yet, D.C. is Chocolate City and certain things must be considered. My father is a retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshall - the second Black person in the Country to hold that post. Also, he is a former Assistant Chief of Police. In addition, he is responsible for developing and organizing an entirely new police department. I bank on his experience for my comments.
The old motto of police forces throughout the Country is: "To Protect & To Serve." But, that statement has always been a bit troubling to Black America. The question has always been, to protect whom...to serve whom? Throughout the history of this Country Black America has had poor relations with the police. If it was not billy clubs and police dogs, it was Rodney King beatings, 41 shots for Diallo's wallet, the sodomy of Abner Louima and countless examples of police brutality. It has been a relationship encased in threats of police sanctioned violence. It has been a history of disrespect for Black people by police forces across America.
So, to protect and to serve whom? For Black America, the prevailing sense has been that the police exist to protect and serve the interests of White America. Police are affectionately called "overseers," keepers of the new plantation. Now many would like to dispel my comments as on the fringe, yet anyone who truly considers themselves a public servant must face this fact. Black America has distrust for the police.
Compound this sentiment with Chief Lanier's reshuffle of the police leadership. To have a police force where the leadership is predominantly White, in a city that is predominantly Black is insensitive to say the least. It is also arrogant and disrespectful. Chief Lanier may like to believe that these are the wrong things to consider, yet if she truly cares she would understand this to be the most important consideration. If she were not insensitive, she would consider that many in the District already believe (and see) that there is a plan to change the demographics of the City. She would take into consideration the fact that Black people in Chocolate City are upset that they are being displaced and marginalized in their own city.
Chief Lanier, you are right - performance must be considered. We all want an effective police force. But, imperative to that success is the racial dynamic of that force. Are you saying that the Black officers could not learn to perform at high levels? Are you saying there are no Blacks anywhere in the Country who perform - or could perform - at a level which meets your expectations? Chief Lanier, are you saying that there are no Blacks in law enforcement capable to fit your requirements?
Chief, I ask you to consider this. Many - if not most - of the police officers in the District of Columbia have no connection to the community. They do not live in the District. Therefore, they do not know the people. And therefore, the people do not trust them. With your restructuring and removing of Black officers/assistant chiefs, you further alienate the community. So, who do you protect? Who do you serve? What gestures are you going to make to assure the Black majority in this city that you are not part of the effort to cause a dramatic shift in the racial demographics of Chocolate City? What commitments will you make?
Because Mayor Adrian Fenty has blacked-out his administration through whitewash, maybe these considerations are of no concerns to you. Maybe since the Mayor seems to serve the interests of the minority, you might be able to ignore these questions. Honestly, I cannot fault you. Yet, Democracy in America mandates majority rule. Like it or not, in D.C., Black people are the majority. So, the solution: we - Black in D.C. - must do more...
So, Black people of D.C. - both immigrant and native - remember: D.C. is Chocolate City! This is our city, until we give it away. It was once said, "It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated...it is finished when it surrenders." We must not surrender our place in the District.
With hope, I remain ever vigilant: for D.C. is Chocolate City!
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