My sister-in-law is one of the coolest people I know. When you first meet her, the first thing that pops in your head is ‘Wow, she looks like that girl from Soul Food!’
She would quickly correct you and tell you her name is Nicole Ari Parker then quickly dismiss your quip as irrelevant in the crux of life, all with a disposition projecting that she really didn’t give a crap what you thought anyways.
In that setup, I’ve been impressed and inspired by her fervor in the recent political issues by her engaging conversation and consistent ‘this is whats up’ email blasts, especially when it comes to America’s view of Black men. She hit me up to a Pat Buchanan tirade about how we should be grateful for being brought over on the boat and promptly footnoted the link with ‘this is the America your child will be growing up in’.
With that said, ybp’s should NEVER forget and never be naive to the reality of fear and racism that still entrenches our society. Never has that ever been more true with the story coming out of Philadelphia. When I read the article, I thought ‘oh crap, here we go again with Black men trying to run from the man’. But when you click on the video…these cats were not running from the man. These dudes were running from a mob…and not just any mob, but a mob of police officers.
While the video speaks for itself, the plain-as-day images of an officer taking a running start to drop-kick a Black man while he is down and under restraint of 5 other officers says to me that we, as in Black men, whether educated or of criminal record, are not human.
We, apparently, don’t deserve the police protocol of ‘Get out of the car. Put your hands out of the window. Get on your knees. Put your hands behind your back.’
We, apparently, don’t even deserve the decency of surviving being arrested! On the streets, the gangs of policemen decide, judge, and execute their brand of justice in the heat of the moment. Even the police commissioner was quoted in the ‘WTF’ sentiment in his interview after watching the video.
In that revelation, I agree with my sister-in-law. This is the America my child will be growing up in, and I must do everything I can to protect him as a Black man…mentally, spiritually, economically, and physically.
What say you?
updated: AP is reporting 15 of the officers have been removed from the streets so far.
update 2: included below are the videos
Dash
What’s even worse than these “pigs” actions are the comments from readers across America after the article that imply implicitly and explicitly that these cats deserved what they got. Described as “thugs” “gangstas” “hoodlums” people seem to feel these young brothas needed that ass kickin they got.
And they wonder why black men got chips on they shoulders.
May 7, 2008 at 10:31 am
Latonya
NO MY NAME IS NOT TOBY. IT’S KUNTA!
It’s rough being Black in America (despite what Pat Buchanan says). This is modern day lynching of negros. They wanted to kill those boys. It’s hard to respect cops…white or black. I watched “Slavery in America” this week on PBS and it comes close. There were no Buicks, blue uniforms, or T-Pains on the radio, but the lynch mob and victims looked the same. I see it as a combination of race and class hate. This is the shameful side of America that Jeremiah Wright talks about (when he is not speaking of foreign policy). And the talking heads on TV wonder why black men (and women for that matter) are angry.
May 7, 2008 at 10:48 am
DWarr
I don’t feel sorry for them. Black, white, mexican… I’m tired of seeing stupid thug trash commit crimes and then see their sorry mothers (notice never a father around) try to defend them. Kick them some more!
May 8, 2008 at 9:16 am
philadelphia cops | Lasts information
[...] From the Inbox: Philadelphia Cops beatingNever has that ever been more true with the story coming out of Philadelphia. When I read the article, I thought ‘oh crap, here we go again with Black men trying to run from the man’. But when you click on the video…these cats were not …Young Black Professional Guide – http://ybpguide.com [...]
May 8, 2008 at 10:32 am
Law iz Law
it just makes me mad when i see this happen, but lets be real the USA isnt the only country that has racist people. every country in the world is the same it sucks
September 5, 2008 at 2:22 pm
paydayloanadvocate
The World Series wrapped up this week, with the Philadelphia Phillies capturing their first pennant in almost 30 years. 1980 was the last Series to feature the team, and at that time they had some all time greats, like Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, and Pete Rose, one of the only two members of the 4,000 hits club. (The two men of that distinction were both of great renown, and of greater infamy; the other being Ty Cobb.) Since the victory over Tampa Bay, the city of Philadelphia has been elated but nervous. Philadelphia’s authorities have been on high alert, watchful for the potential of mass rioting in the wake of victory, especially at Temple University. The Dean of Students, Ainsley Carry, promises both scholastic and criminal penalties for any celebration beyond normal bounds.
Is all this really necessary? Are they so bored in Philadelphia for something to do that they’re willing to repeat Tiananmen Square to make sure everything stays Leave It to Beaver swell?
Well, if you feel like rioting, take a second to breathe. Be calm, and do not rampantly destroy property and behave violently. If you feel the urge to social injustice, please do not take drastic action. If you feel like rioting because of a recent cash crunch, take a look at our website. You can get affordable, easy personal loans with almost no effort beyond a few clicks of a mouse.
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November 5, 2008 at 1:36 am