Let me start by saying.
This dairy is not intended to bash Police officers.
Without them we would live in a state of chaos.
In Philadelphia we have lost 4 outstanding Police Officers in 2008.
Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski: May 3, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Isabel Nazario: September 5, 2008, Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Sergeant Patrick McDonald: September 23, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sergeant Timothy Simpson:November 17, 2008:Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
What does one do when the Police Officers turn on YOU?
With the senseless shooting of Oscar Grant, New Year's day, Oakland CA, and Robbie Tolan, new Years Eve, Houston Texas. Both unarmed men.
As an African American I have experienced and seen police brutality.
It is REAL.
We do not have to agree, but at least acknowledge the fact that African American Males have ligament reasons to be leery of the Police.
The stories have passed from generation to generation.
In their teen's African American males are given instructions on how to conduct themselves during a traffic stop or any encounter with the Police. Rules such as , Never take your hand off the steering wheel, speak calmly, don't ask too many questions(maybe viewed as a smart ass), and give direct eye contact and so on.
As we have seen from the Oscar Grant video, sometimes the rules don't work.
Have read and replied to many comments that I found outrageous. Trying to justify the shooting of Grant. How does one justify the shooting of 23yr old Robbie Tolan, in his own driveway in front of his parents. http://www.myfoxhouston.com/...
In order to deal with race issues in the Unites States we have to be honest. Not enough to vote for Obama and feel that now we have a black president race is a non issue. Then expect Obama to snap his fingers and deal with this issue. People are waiting for Obama to "say something".
Not I, this issue have to be dealt with from the bottom up.
It can be done, Philadelphia Police history proves it.
Linn Washington Jr. is a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune wrote:
http://www.counterpunch.org/...
Philadelphia, in 1979, became the first American city in history to have its top City Hall officials, including its mayor, sued by the federal government for aiding police brutality.
Philadelphia's hero good ole Frank Rizzo:
http://www.dsl.psu.edu/...
To use Philadelphia as an example is somewhat tricky.
Being that we have had the highest murder rate the country at times.
I can understand emotions running high after a fellow police officer has been killed, Stephen Liczbinski passed May 3rd.
May 7th:
Does this excuse the brutality....hell no. Some argued it is their job, I argued the Officers are human, the men beaten were involved in a triple shooting. At this point in time the murder rate was out of control.
Does that make it right?
I remember the Police Officer that walked me to school every day while in second grade, never knew his name. Understand it is not all Police Officers, and the good officers do not get enough credit.
The fallen officers I listed above had excellent reputations.
But then we have the rest, could it be about control, abuse of authority, race, or just plain mean ass cops.
Let's discuss, in the words of my mother "This ain't gonna be pretty"
Discussion is good, we do not have to agree.
Share your stories on encounters with the Police in your area.
It would help if you stated your gender and ethnicity to compare and contrast.
My first Dairy!!! YYYEEAAHH!! I am open for suggestions and tips.
Be nice, some of you can be kind of rough.
No big words....nothing fancy, sorry oh great intellectuals.
Just real talk...
Had to add this, MOVE, please read.
Imporatnt in Philadelphia Police history.
Imagine seeing this as child live on TV.
http://www.mindfully.org/...
http://www.npr.org/...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
UPDATE: BART Officer arrested!!!! http://www.sfgate.com/...
Now what should be done....had to bring this back.