News
July 10, 2010
“This pattern is becoming all too common,” said Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition following the shooting death of a South Florida man, DeCarlos Moore. Moore was shot by a Miami Police officer during a traffic stop. “The Department of Justice must intervene. This was an unarmed man shot in public. The recent shooting of Moore magnifies symptoms of a deeper problem of insensitivity and detachment.”
Riots broke out in Oakland, CA this past Thursday in protest over the verdict in the Oscar Grant shooting. Grant was the unarmed 22-year-old African-American man who was shot dead by Johannes Mehserle, a white transit officer, on an Oakland train platform on New Year's Day in 2009. A jury in Los Angeles convicted Mehserle of involuntary manslaughter but he was acquitted on the more serious charges of second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.
Rev. Jackson went on to say, “Diversity is an important asset to police. Police bureaus should be more diversified with women and whites and people of color. It should look like the community so you have more sensitivity. If you have a diverse community, you should have a diverse police department.
Blacks have the highest infant mortality rates, and the shortest life expectancy. Unemployment rates for blacks are nearly twice that of whites. From jobs, to access to capital and lending, racially driven structural inequalities dominate the social and economic landscape of America.
Today it is clearer than ever that we need vigorous action by local and state authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce civil rights laws, EEOC, contract compliance and affirmative action. I hope the President and his administration will address these issues head-on to deal with issues surrounding equal protection under the law for all Americans.”
SO WHAT DOES STYLEZ THINK?
A friend of mine (shoutout to Je'Tara of http://www.jetaraspeaks.com) just commented today about the fact that the Lebron James DECISION totally overshadowed the trial of Officer Johannes Mehserle, who was facing 2nd-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter charges on the same day! As many of you know, Mehserle was found not guilty of the more serious charges, but was only found guilty of involuntary manslaughter! So, for KILLING another human being (and as some believe, in cold blood), this officer will only have to serve 2-4 years in prison!
In her comment she did not realize that Rev. Jackson had already days earlier responded to this (I believe) injustice that was served to Grant and his family. But I did want to post his response to this tragedy and ANOTHER recent incident involving the Miami Police and black man shot during a traffic stop.
Rev. Jackson also commented on the need for vigorous action by the U.S. Dept of Justice and state authorities to enforce civil rights laws, etc. I think at this point, it is clear that we need that and we also need some re-investigation into the HUNDREDS of pass cases involving such lopsided decisions! It is utterly ridiculous that a badge seems to buy you a free pass to (repeatedly) physically abuse the same people you are paid to "Protect and Serve", as well as a free pass to murder them! And the fact that we have a pattern of abuse should be a huge red light to the authorities, the government and the people.
Of course we need a "voice" of the people. However, the one thing I notice in most of those situations, is the excuse that the victims are former criminals! Unfortunately, that argument has helped some assailants be acquitted or charged with lesser crimes because the jury of their peers, MAY feel that these cops have done society a favor! However, the point they are missing is that in the case of MOST of these victims that were found to be former criminals is that, they are just that FORMER! The crimes committed by these individuals were either done when they were children/teens or they had paid their dues via prison/work programs/probation/etc. So why does DEATH all of the sudden become the penalty for making mistake in your youth! Especially in the case of Grant who had shown so much progress and taking care of his family that its RIDICULOUS to think that Mehserle should have been allowed to Taser that young man, let alone shoot him IN THE BACK! That is NOT justice! That is COWARDICE!
What do you think should be done?
THAT IS WHAT STYLEZ THINKS! WHAT DO YOU THINK? Please leave a comment!
