You may believe that because Obama is now the democratic nominee for president that racism is dead. It isn't.
I ran across this blog story today and, as the parent of two teenagers, it has really upset me.
Manhattan Beach is a public beach in Brooklyn. Every year, the seniors in the area go to the public beach on what is called cut day. This year, cut day was cut short by some over-zealous police who clearly acted in a racist manner and arrested an adult who tried to intervene.
Large crowds of teenagers in PUBLIC spaces can be problematic, I know that. It's that time of the year. Communities somehow manage to handle these problems all of the time.
Some quotes are below, but I urge you to read the whole story. Even more importantly, I urge you to read the comments, lest you have any doubts about the racism that still lives in our society today.
Friday, June 6th was senior cut day for some local schools, and then they head down to Manhattan Beach for a day of sun and fun, but the past two years have been anything but fun. Last year there was the infamous email from Dr. Ron calling beachgoers "thugs". This year in anticipation of the return of the "thugs", the residents have been demanding all year for a plan addressing "Senior Cut Day" and all that comes with it.
Well Senior Cut came and it did not go well for beachgoers their civil rights went out the window.
I didn’t stick around long because there was really nothing going on. All of the action had already happened with Mr. Berardelli’s arrest.
The real tragedy of the day is not what happened to me, but what happened to these kids. My mother witnessed teens crying,saying to her that they were scared of the police. Kids saying they were "chased" from the beach so quickly, that they left without their shoes and were barefoot walking Emmons Avenue.
The real tragedy was witnessing firsthand the police’s arrogance, and in the case of Lt. Harrington, the abuse of power and discretion. The very idea that one could think he could bully and shove people who posed no threat of bodily harm without provocation is abhorrent. My mother even recounted how the officer in squad car #2659 even drove around to arrogantly gloat over my arrest. How sickening.
The real tragedy is that one neighborhood wields so much power as to command a police precinct to violate civil rights.
The real tragedy is that one neighborhood demands and receives protection at the detriment of others. If these teens were so dangerous, why were they "herded" (for lack fo a better word) to other neighborhoods where said "dangerous" teens - now disgruntled - are left to their own devices.
The real tragedy is that civil rights is dead in Manhattan Beach.
Oh, and if you are as upset as I am, please let Brooklyn know how you feel.
http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/...