September proved to be a killing month of African Americans at the hands of police. Thirteen year old Tyree King running away from police in Columbus, Ohio, Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma with hands upon while being shot, Keith Lamont Scott, suffering with a brain traumatic injury in Charlotte, North Carolina and Alfred Olango, suffering from an epilepsy attack in San Diego County, are the most recent and notable names known in the media. The Guardian and Washington Post have kept as accurate a tally as possible since there is no federal database of police shootings and killings. In 2016, almost 800 persons have been killed at the hands of police. In 2015, it was 990. It averages roughly 1000 lives taken each year by police. From the period of 2005-2015, 54 police officers were charged with either manslaughter or murder. That averages out to 5 police officers charged per 1000 killings each year. It seems as if the recent wave of police killings of unarmed blacks … [Read more...] about Dear Police: Black People are Humans Too
killings
5 Police Officer Trials to Watch in 2015
From Freddie Gray in Baltimore who ran away from police officers to Jonathan Ferrell who ran towards Charlotte police officers for help, five trials of on duty police officers for killing unarmed victims will likely take place in 2015. On Wednesday, August 19, a Fairfax, Virginia judge set December 14, 2015 as the trial date for former officer Adam Torres accused of shooting and killing John Geer in August, 2013 at his home for a domestic dispute call. In an unusual legal move for police officers, a Fairfax County judge denied bail for Torres—a move that caused the defendant to faint in the court room. Prosecutors refused to offer a plea bargain to Torres—a move that signifies the case will likely head to trial. Although the killing occurred two years ago, the county police initially refused to turn over necessary information on Torres to prosecutors--causing a delay in bringing charges. The case of the six Baltimore police officers charged on May 1, 2015 with assault and … [Read more...] about 5 Police Officer Trials to Watch in 2015
Why Charleston Church Killings Are All About Race
Dylann Roof goes into Emanuel African Methodist Church, a historically black church, kills the Pastor and 8 persons during Bible study and some people raise the gun control issue. I understand about guns and gun control legislation. The facts of the Charleston church killings are about race hatred in America. And any discussion of gun control in these particular killings dilutes and diminishes the real reason of racial hatred towards blacks. No one ever said 911 was about faulty security checks in airplane flying schools from which the terrorists learned how to fly airplanes but never learned how to land them. No one said Columbine school killings and the Boston Marathon bombings were about making home grown bombs. No one said the 1963 killings of 4 little girls bombed at a Birmingham church was about bombs. To be black in America means being a target for terrorism and hatred whether blacks want to be or not. Being black in America means no place feels safe without … [Read more...] about Why Charleston Church Killings Are All About Race
Why Charleston Church Shooting Should Matter to Everyone
As I watched the news late Wednesday night unfold mostly online about Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and killing of 9 people during a Bible study meeting including –Pastor and State Senator Clementa Pinckney, I had a multitude of thoughts and emotions. My initial thoughts were how history repeats itself. As a history major, I immediately thought of the tragic 1963 bombing of the historic Birmingham, Alabama 16th Street Baptist church where four little black girls lost their lives due to a bomb and hatred. As many may recall, that was among the first scenes in the movie, Selma. Then my thoughts immediately questioned as to why there were so few national media outlets initially covering the breaking news. Some responses I received on Twitter about the initial lack of media coverage were maybe the media was waiting to see how the news developed since few facts were known. In the 24/7 news cycle, this was the most breaking news of the day and perhaps the entire year. Even … [Read more...] about Why Charleston Church Shooting Should Matter to Everyone
Why Can’t Police do Their Jobs Without Killing Unarmed Blacks?
In light of the killing of Freddie Gray and charges brought against six Baltimore police, the president of the Baltimore police union released a statement that police are now more fearful about being jailed “for doing their jobs properly” than getting shot. Most police officers in Baltimore and elsewhere never get charged for killing any unarmed individuals and those that do rarely ever get convicted. So there is little to no reason for a police officer to fear being arrested. Police probably have a greater chance of being struck by lightning than being charged for killing an unarmed black man. And if they fear that they cannot do their job as police without killing unarmed blacks, then maybe they should not be police officers. Doing their job properly should not mean a young man dies of a broken spine while riding in the custody of police. Quite frankly, I am tired of police in Baltimore and elsewhere turning the tables upside down when it comes to killings involving … [Read more...] about Why Can’t Police do Their Jobs Without Killing Unarmed Blacks?
Five Legal Reasons Why Black History Month Matters
Every February we celebrate the history of African Americans with Black History Month, started by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as Negro History Month. And every year the question is asked whether we still need to recognize Black History Month. While Black History Month is a time to recognize the rich history and accomplishments of African Americans, it should also be a time to view history in context with today’s challenges still facing blacks in America. And in that context, 2014 gave us five good legal reasons for Black History Month. Those reasons can be summed up with the cases of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Renisha McBride and Jordan Davis. These cases that took place in Missouri, New York, Ohio, Michigan and Florida represent why we need black history. The racial disparities and injustices in the criminal justice system along with continued racial stereotyping and profiling of blacks are but a few of the many issues facing blacks today. In the … [Read more...] about Five Legal Reasons Why Black History Month Matters