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Click Here(February 25, 2005)
*Six black lawmakers are calling for the removal of Justice Secretary Anthony Schembri, the head of the state’s juvenile justice department, for showing Chris Rock’s “How To Not Get Your Ass Kicked By The Police” bit at a meeting with NAACP leaders. Schembri's spokesman, Tom Denham, said the video was part of a discussion on racial profiling. He said Schembri, who is white, previously used it when teaching college courses as a way to open up discussion on profiling. The four-minute clip, from Rock’s former HBO comedy series, features various scenarios that stress the importance of using common sense when interacting with police, among them, not carjacking, stealing, selling drugs and jumping turnstiles; driving with a white friend, and turning down loud rap music when pulled over. The video also shows scenes where actors dressed as police pretend to beat up blacks who didn't follow Rock's advice. "I found this as being totally and absolutely racist, there's no way around it," said Democratic state Sen. Mandy Dawson, who was joined by five other black lawmakers. "It doesn't make sense to me to show this type of video under any circumstances to the NAACP." Schembri issued an apology through Denham. "The secretary is a very colorful and unusual man and he likes to push the envelope and get people to think about things," Denham said, adding the video was never meant to be used to train staff and administrators, as the lawmakers alleged. William H. Booth, a retired New York City judge and an NAACP member who was at the viewing, said Schembri used Rock’s video as an example of how the media can contribute to attitudes about profiling. "I've never known him to be prejudiced in any way,' said Booth, who knew Schembri in New York. "I don't think he's got a racial bone in his body.'" ------------------------------
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