I watched this video on GlobalGrind.com, astounded, as two uniformed police officers manhandled this bloodied, black male teenager. I could not believe what I was seeing. I have since read that the two grown men choked and beat 14-year-old Trevor Casey so badly that his own mother, Karen, was unable to recognize him afterwards. He was not a "thug," he was a child. He could've been yours or mine. I am not trying to rush to judgment against the police officers, but it was clear from the video that something obviously went wrong.
Writ large in the video, a metaphor: an overly aggressive and out of touch system using excessive force on our youth and our communities.
But the video tells a larger story than the violent incident visited upon the Caseys of Toledo, OH. It's a story about the on-going conflict across our country between our communities and the agencies created to police them. Too often, these victims are black males. This is important to note since I've come to realize that, because this incident has been largely overlooked by the mass media, and also because it's dawned on me that our children may not be safe.
As a mother of two beautiful daughters and one son, I am horrified at the way that our young black males are stereotyped: as negligible and disposable and destined for trouble. Mortified, then, is a good word to describe my reaction at having seemingly witnessed an attack on thin-limbed Trevor, who can't weigh more than 115 lbs -- including his non-threatening attire: summer shirt and wind shorts.
I'm writing this in support of Trevor and Karen Casey and anyone else who has suffered at the hands of those who have a sworn duty to protect and honor them. I'm also championing anyone who is working towards ending brutality -- including law enforcement personnel who do the right thing for their agencies and their communities. However, I hope we stop for a moment and begin to analyze or explore why these confrontations continue to occur and what's being done to stop them.
Until justice is served in this matter, we should all be vigilant in holding accountable not only those who use their authority and force to undermine our rights as citizens -- but also all of the officials, officers and citizens who let them get away with it.
A fund will be established to aid the Caseys in their legal proceedings and I will be pleased to contribute and encourage you all to do so, as well. Any amount you can give will help. No amount is too small. I will be sending out the information once the fund is set up. Until then, please spread the word.
Originally published on Global Grind.
This is the reality for a lot of black males. And you wonder why their first instinct is to run when they see cop cars?
There will always be crime, but who, where, and when is often determined largely by the apathy of us so-called "law abiding citizens". Our lack of compassion breeds opportunities for criminals to form, entrench and expand their activities and influence in our communities. You seem to think you have more in common with the police officers (even if the ones in question are vicious bullies), than with the brown-skinned kid. May I remind you that you are a self-identified "civvy", so what will you say when it's you getting the hell beat out of you? When that happens, I guess the rest of us should just say, "Oh well, it was his day to take one for the team." Ridiculous!!
Take a lesson from the Chinese in your country. They were migrant workers in the US and they were treated as a third class citizens before. They worked their way out of indignation and poverty for the good of their future generations. Perhaps a touch of Confucius will help the people there.
See, here's the thing you missed in that article and that you apparently haven't thought of with regard to black folks: millions of our black sons are NOT criminals, drug users, deadbeat fathers, unemployed, violent, lazy and threatening and they don't deserve to be suspected of criminal behavior and brutalized simply because they are black. THAT is what we fear. Why would you think that black people don't want violent individuals, black ones included, apprehended? Has it even occurred to you that the fear she is talking about extends to that black family across the street from you in a nice neighborhood with the same values, work ethic and hopes that you have? That's the friggin' point people. If the police think black males = likely suspect then my clean cut, fabulous and much loved black son is looked at with suspicion, fear and in many cases, loathing, just because he's black. That's dangerous. We don't have the luxury of sending our black sons out into the world wearing placards that read, "Wait, I'm one of the good ones, don't shoot."
Apparently, you think "stereotype" and "statistics" are the same thing. Your argument is false.
It's easy to speak out against an innocent black kid being hurt by white police officers any sane person is against this type of abuse of power. It would be nice, however, see leaders in the black community acknowledge and take on the culture of gang and drug violence that plagues urban youths and contributes to the very incidents Ms. Simmons bemoans.
You're leaving that part of the equation out of the picture.
Congratulations on your new edition. You are a delightful mother and woman. Thank you for shinning a light on this situation. I agree, there is a problem. The solution is to keep shinning a light on injustice. Instead of a scowl to young men in general, it is important that we smile at them and encourage them to do better. Society has got to have a heart when it comes to our youth. Thank you for reminding me to be kind to the future of our world.
in the leg rather than killing the individual. Just not right, no matter how one looks at it.
Out of every 100,000 black men, 1400+ are in prison.
Out of every 100,000 mexican men, 1200+ are in prison.
Out of every 100,000 white men, 470+ are incarcerated...
Something wrong with that picture? I think so. I taught in a private prison until last fall and I talked to the offenders frequently about the statistics and how all of them can stay out of trouble when they are released.
A felon has a very hard row to hoe in our society where the citizens are addicted to prisons and the private corporation are more than eager to build "one" more.
I was also appalled at the number of children that all of these men left behind when they were locked up. I had a 32 year old student who has 9 children with two different women. Never married them, sends no child support (there are jobs in this prison) and doesn't stay in contact with any of them. He had his first child at the age of 14. Something is very, very wrong with a society that allows this.
I hope you aren't assuming innocence on the part of these men. Obviously, there is a problem with the legal system and I am aware that there are statistics that state that minorities are more likely to be imprisoned for the same crimes as their fellow whites. But the simple fact is this: Most prisoners come from poorer neighborhoods where selling drugs, commiting robberies, and other activities are the most profitable (financially speaking) activities. There are plenty of poor people who DO NOT choose to partake in these activities, and for the most part, they stay out of prison. Many men in prison (though not all, because I will not assume that they are all guilty) have a long history of reckless behavior, some of it legal, some of it illegal. The fact that you mention the 32-yr old man with 9 kids supports my point. Though they aren't always guilty, some make one major mistake that more responsible people would have identified to be a bad decision.
The best thing that blacks (and everyone) can do is to teach our kids from the cradle about how to make good decisions, recognize bad ones, and how to recognize and not follow peer pressure.
And I am glad to hear that you are teaching in a prison. I'm sure it is rewarding. :)