*A Newark, N.J. police undercover police officer was caught on tape as he roused and then punched 15 year old Travis Retrey. The youth who has never had any issues with the police was sitting in front of the apartment building waiting on a friend when he was assaulted.
The only hope for black people and police brutality is video surveillance. Hopefully, one day the whole damn country will be under surveillance. A loss of freedom, but that’s better that than what we now have, especially since it has become clear that the Obama admin has no intention of taking any step in addressing issues which disproportionately affects blacks.
This was a clear violation of his 4th amendment rights, and the federal government has every right to prosecute. If we had a federal government which was more pro active on civil rights, these frequent violent racist outbursts, typical of angry yt males, would cease.
I’m sorry, but how does a police brutality issue in New Jersey instantly become an issue that the Obama administration isn’t addressing. Is there not a local government agency in New Jersey who’s jurisdiction would cover this…there is a Govenor in that state right? I’m so sick of people assuming that it is the job of the President to personally address every issue the black community is having. Like fixing the damn mess of the country left by the past administration isn’t enough. Why don’t we as a people get off our collective asses and start policing our own communities. How about you start holding local government officials responsible for the communities that are paying their exorbitant salaries.
Now I know you are not saying that we don’t have a problem at the local level with prosecutors reneging on their duty to prosecute cops who brutalize blacks?
OK, so you are actually suggesting to “start holding local government officials responsible for the communities that are paying their exorbitant salaries.”
Oh, no shit?
How about this? Why don’t you name me one community where black people were successful in holding government officials responsible, making them stop brutalizing blacks?
Com’on, I may want to move there.
BTW, exactly how did you propose to hold these government officials responsible?
You mean like a march on City Hall, or writing petitions to your city council, or threatening not to vote for them?
Baby girl, black folks have been there and done that, and it still ain’t changed shit.
Look, we have a black man in the WH and because of the yt people controlling him (and apologetics like you), we can’t even hold him responsible, so how the fuck you expect to hold them crackas responsible.
Excessive force by the police and unreasonable seizure was a clear violation of the kid’s 4th Amendment rights, which gives the federal government the authority to intervene when the local authorities don’t. And history has shown that more often than not, they don’t. Almost never in the case of blacks, unless of course you are lucky enough for them to be caught on video.
Ask Rodney King. After all the shit he went through, he still had to go to the Feds to get some justice.
Y’all Obama apologetics are something else. For real. It’s like y’all don’t even give a fuck that racist cops continue to brutalize our kids, knowing full well that these crackas won’t stop and that their local jurisdiction won’t do shit either.
As an example in the case of the Jena, MS…situation…I don’t recall anyone expecting help from the Bush administration to save these kids. No the BLACK community got up of its collective asses and made such a LARGE out cry that there was nothing the “so called” law enforcement in that area could do but to pretend it didn’t understand the “circumstances” leading up to the situation and back peddle they way into letting those boys go. And I’m am not apologizing for MY President…I don’t have to…his work speaks for itself. What I am telling you is that he is not your “GREAT BLACK SAVIOUR” and he will not be able to right EVERY wrong done to a “BLACK” citizen in America!! Stop looking for someone to rescue you…If the officials in your community are not doing the job they are being paid for get rid of their asses (i.e. Gov. Patterson). OPEN YOUR FUCKING MOUTHS…USE YOUR VOTE…IMPEACH THEIR ASSES!! Protect your OWN communities…BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!! Stop waiting for Super Obama to fly in and save the Black People of America. His slogan is not “yes I can…it yes WE can!! And if you’re not willing to be part of the solution then you are part of the damn problem. And remember every time you point your damn finger at what he’s doing wrong (according to you) there are three pointing back at YOU!!
Chocolate, your illustration of how things went down in the case of the Jena 6, only further highlights how much of a problem we have. Imagine, it had to take bus loads of people and massive media attention to prevent the railroading of innocent children over a school yard tussle. Something which should only result in a detention. And even after all that, they are still facing reduced charges of aggravated battery and conspiracy, an indication that we need more than just activism to combat this issue.
The huge disparity in incarceration establishes the fact that in every jurisdiction where blacks find themselves in the minority, they will face an impossible challenge in getting equal justice. Unless you can afford to have busloads of demonstrators everywhere and every time, then why not ask for more intervention from the Federal government?
It’s not as if there are other alternatives.
Chocolate, why so resistant to this concept?
Its not that I’m “resistant” to the concept of “Federal Intervention”…the problem I’m having is in situations like this the first thing “our” people want to do is blame the President. He’s not addressing the “Black Agenda”…why because he’s black? Does that mean that he should be focusing on each and every incident of racisim taking place in the country? That is exactly what the Rethuglicans are counting on…Have his spend all his time putting out brush fires and forget about the GLOBAL atrocities that they’ve perpetrated over the past 8 years, so when his first term is up they can say “well he hasn’t done anything…the country is still as bad if not worse than it was when he took office, we need to get him out of there. NO…issues like this should be brought about from the “roots” start in the communities with the problem…find out who your local elected officials are…pressure them to take these instances to the Supreme Court…if they don’t vote in someone who will. Do not expect the President go running off to West Bubble Fuck, Texas because some Redneck Mofo and his drunk buddies decide to beat up the nearest black man in the neighborhood while they’re out drinking tonight!! That is not the way it works. Yes…there are major issues in the “Black Community” that need to be addressed…and while he was a community leader in Chicago he did the best he could to address some of those issues, but he is only one man…it takes a Village!! Like I said before, his campaign slogan was not…”YES I CAN…it was YES WE CAN”! So, if we want to change the way of the world the we need to get up and get involved!!
“find out who your local elected officials are…pressure them to take these instances to the Supreme Court…if they don’t vote in someone who will.”
If only it was that simple. For one, you need a majority of blacks in those communities for that to be accomplished.
Chocolate, the truth of the matter is that black people are pretty much dependent on the Federal government to get laws passed to ensure our equality. If you look through our history, from emancipation to the civil rights movement, it had to take the federal government. Taking it to the Supreme Court is also another route, but we know how unlikely that is.
Yes, I‘m one of those who thinks that it’s a golden opportunity that should not be wasted, to finally having one of us in the WH. This is not the time to be fearful and hesitant , because we never know when we will get another chance like this.
For far too long, both the Democrats and Republicans have ignored the incarceration crisis in black America, the large black unemployment rate, the chronically low quality of education in city schools, or anything else relating to the specific needs of blacks.
As Salim Muwakkil said, “Sophisticated African-American voters are expected to tolerate this perverse electoral tendency and squash their specific gripes for the good of the progressive whole. Obama’s progressive supporters often utilize this argument to push back black demands for specific campaign attention.
Many of us familiar with Obama hoped he would help put an end to the Democrats’ racial schizophrenia. Knowing him as a strong advocate of racial pride, with a deep knowledge of African-Americans’ liberation struggle, we thought Obama was perfectly cast as the candidate who could bring needed perspective to our racial dilemma. Our past conversations led me to believe he would seek that role as well.”
Reds, this is obviously a topic where you and I will have to “agree to disagree”. Personally, I feel that between:
1) Trying to figure out a way to end the 2 unnecessary wars and bring our troops home.
2) Trying to repair our Global relationships with Allies around the world.
3) Trying to recover from the international cataclysm of potential financial ruin worldwide.
4) Trying to provide healthcare for ALL American citizens.
5) Trying to maintain composure while jackasses are being disrespectful during congressional sessions.
And I could go on but you get the jist of where I’m going with this…it is an awful lot to ask this man to also be available to police every incident of racisim on every corner of AmeriKKKa.
Like I said Yes..I agree WE have a problem…but rather than acting like crabs in a barrel and critizing the man for not addressing “the Black Agenda”, perhaps we could make some type of contribution for the cause…give him some assistance in stead of asses to kiss!!
You mentioned the fight for Civil Rights…well MLK did not do it all alone…he had plenty of assistance!! It did not come about overnight (or even within a years time)…it to MASSES of people several years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to accomplish.
Let me ask you, what have you done to assist your community since Obama was elected? Have you volunteered to mentor any young boys or girls in your community? Have you organized a group of peers to create a neighborhood watch armed with video camera to capture any incidents of police brutality or racism in your community? Or have you jumped on board the Tavis Smiley…bash Obama ’cause he ain’t doing notheing for us’ train?
Holla back, I love a good political debate.
“Or have you jumped on board the Tavis Smiley…bash Obama ’cause he ain’t doing notheing for us’ train?”
Com’on D, y’all need to give Tavis a break. You know that man’s heart is in the right place.
But at least we can agree on something. That video camera is a vital tool. As I said in my first post, video surveillance is going to be our best ally. And we don’t need to wait until the whole place is under surveillance. We can take actions on our own. Every person with a cell phone is one more video surveillance camera. And guess what? The NAACP has a “rapid response” site where you can upload the shit right off the bat.
Every time the cops shoot someone in my neck of the woods, their video camera mysteriously wasn’t working. Like when they shot some kid in an apartment complex. I was like, as soon as the cops pull up, the residence should start shooting. Whether you got a camcorder or just a cell phone. Start rolling that clip. We just need to condition ourselves to the point where it becomes automatic.
See…now we’re on the same page. I agree with you 100% that we ALL need to be the eyes and ears of our community. If something is going down in your area whip out your cell phones and video cameras and document it. Get it out there before the “cover up” and back peddling begins. This is how we will bring about change. They will be concerned that their bullshit is being caught on tape and put out there for all the world to see!!
As in the case with this young man in the article that sparked our debate. It’s hard for them to explain away what is clearly an unprovoked attack and beating of this 15-year old boy, who has NEVER had any previous legal issues. And believe me, I’m sure before this video was presented to the “Powers that be” these officers were lying their asses off. The list of charges they leveled against him were absolutely ridiculous and I hope his mother sues and wins millions!!
P.S…sorry Reds, but I’m still hating on Tavis, though…