Chickens Come Home to Roost in Ferguson

For years, the Ferguson Police Department has humiliated, harassed, profiled, abused and oppressed black people. When Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown, the police left Mike's body laying in the street for hours as if his life had no value. Instead of the prosecutor actually prosecuting the case, he essentially served as counsel for the killer. When the prosecutor announced the grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson, that arrogant prosecutor practically gloated and talked down to the people of Ferguson.

Our elders tell us that what goes around comes around. Today, the Ferguson is reaping what it has sown. Following the release of the Department of Justice's report, the Police Chief and other officers have resigned. A municipal judge has resigned as well. Last night, two Ferguson police officers were shot. This is only the beginning. In the words of Malcolm X, the chickens are coming home to roost.

DOJ Report Shows Why Ferguson Exploded

The New York Times reported that:

Ferguson, Mo., is a third white, but the crime statistics compiled in the city over the past two years seemed to suggest that only black people were breaking the law. They accounted for 85 percent of traffic stops, 90 percent of tickets and 93 percent of arrests. In cases like jaywalking, which often hinge on police discretion, blacks accounted for 95 percent of all arrests.

The racial disparity in those statistics was so stark that the Justice Department has concluded in a report scheduled for release on Wednesday that there was only one explanation: The Ferguson Police Department was routinely violating the constitutional rights of its black residents.

The report, based on a six-month investigation, provides a glimpse into the roots of the racial tensions that boiled over in Ferguson last summer after a black teenager, Michael Brown, was fatally shot by a white police officer, making it a worldwide flash point in the debate over race and policing in America. It describes a city where the police used force almost exclusively on blacks and regularly stopped people without probable cause. Racial bias is so ingrained, the report said, that Ferguson officials circulated racist jokes on their government email accounts.

In a November 2008 email, a city official said Barack Obama would not be president long because “what black man holds a steady job for four years?” Another email included a cartoon depicting African-Americans as monkeys. A third described black women having abortions as a way to curb crime...

Those findings reinforce what the city’s black residents have been saying publicly since the shooting in August, that the criminal justice system in Ferguson works differently for blacks and whites. A black motorist who is pulled over is twice as likely to be searched as a white motorist, even though searches of white drivers are more likely to turn up drugs or other contraband, the report found.

Minor, largely discretionary offenses such as disturbing the peace and jaywalking were brought almost exclusively against blacks. When whites were charged with these crimes, they were 68 percent more likely to have their cases dismissed, the Justice Department found.

Ferguson is analogous to Soweto or Johannesburg during the Apartheid era. Although Ferguson is 67 percent black, most of the political power is in the hands of the white minority. The mayor and the police chief are white. Only one city council member is black. Only one school board member is black. Out of 53 police officers, only 3 are black. Similar to Apartheid South Africa, the lack of political power inevitably paved the way for racist oppression. The Justice Department report reveals the extent and nature of that oppression. Other than institutionalized racism, there simply is no rational explanation for the stark racial disparities in the force usage, arrests, vehicle stops and vehicle searches.

Now, one  understands why Ferguson literally exploded. For years, African Americans were alienated from power and racial profiled by the police, harassed by the police and brutalized by the police. Those explosive ingredients have been present in Ferguson for years. Ferguson was a powder keg waiting to be lit. The killing of Michael Brown and the grand jury's failure to indict were simply the sparks that the ignited the powder keg. Sadly, if things to do not change soon, there will be more rebellions in America's streets.

The Justice Department's report validates our outrage. It validates the marches and protests in Ferguson and around the country. It absolves the protesters who were arrested. If the people did not march, protest and raise hell, there would be no investigation. Contrary to the rhetoric of some, demonstrations are not outdated. They were still needed in the 21st century. Even relatively progressive administrations need to be pressured to affect social justice.

Elections matter as well. Moreover, if more African Americans voted in Ferguson, there would probably be a black mayor and a black police chief. Perhaps, there would be a predominately black city council and school board. Maybe, there would be no Mike Brown and Darren Wilson.  There would be real black power in Ferguson.  In addition, the election of President Obama made U.S. Attorney Eric Holder's appointment possible. Another administration may not have conducted such a thorough investigation of the Ferguson Police Department. A Romney Administration probably would not have issued such a report.

The Department of Justice's report has the potential to completely transform the Ferguson Police Department. Hopefully, it will eliminate the systemic and institutional racism that plagues the police department. Perhaps, it will prevent another senseless police killing. Justice for Mike Brown and everybody else.

No Civil Rights Charges Will Be Filed Against Darren Wilson

As many predicted, apparently, no civil rights charges will be filed against former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for the killing of unarmed black teen Michael Brown. The New York Times reports that:

Justice Department lawyers will recommend that no civil rights charges be brought against the police officer who fatally shot an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, Mo., after an F.B.I. investigation found no evidence to support charges, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and his civil rights chief, Vanita Gupta, will have the final say on whether the Justice Department will close the case against the officer, Darren Wilson. But it would be unusual for them to overrule the prosecutors on the case, who are still working on a legal memo explaining their recommendation.

A decision by the Justice Department would bring an end to the politically charged investigation of Mr. Wilson in the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The Missouri authorities concluded their investigation into Mr. Brown’s death in November and also recommended against charges.

But a broader Justice Department civil rights investigation into allegations of discriminatory traffic stops and excessive force by the Ferguson Police Department remains open. That investigation could lead to significant changes at the department, which is overwhelmingly white despite serving a city that is mostly black.

Benjamin L. Crump, a lawyer for Mr. Brown’s family, said he did not want to comment on the investigation until the Justice Department made an official announcement.

“We’ve heard speculation on cases before that didn’t turn out to be true,” Mr. Crump said. “It’s too much to put the family through to respond to every rumor.”

At this point, bloggers, activists and civil rights organizations must escalate and intensify our demand that a special prosecutor be appointed in Ferguson. We must relentlessly continue to demand that a new grand jury be convened. We must blog, petition, march, agitate and disrupt until that happens. This grave injustice cannot stand.

President Obama, Trayvon Martin and Racial Profiling Part 2

A couple of days ago, the President delivered a powerful speech regarding Trayvon Martin and racial profiling. In the video below, I analyze the President's bold speech.

Justice for Trayvon #J4TM: The Struggle Continues

When I heard the George Zimmerman verdict, I was stunned and shocked. I was speechless. I am still outraged. I can't watch the news for awhile. I am appalled by Zimmerman attorneys' gloating and revolting proclamations. I am sickening by the Zimmerman team's demonic grins. They look like devils to me.

For once, I allowed myself to believe in the criminal justice system. I allowed myself to hope. I thought that perhaps an all white southern jury would render a fair and just verdict. I thought that maybe those mothers on the jury would sympathize with another mother, Sybrina Fulton. As mothers, I thought that they would feel Ms. Fulton's pain. I thought that maybe they would value Trayvon's life. I was wrong, so wrong.

The defense closed their case by having a young white woman testify about young black teenagers burglarizing her home. She testified about hiding in the closet terrified and with her infant as the burglars roamed around in her house. She testified about how George Zimmerman talked to her and helped her purchase a new lock to secure her home. Her testimony was designed to serve two purposes. The first purpose was to reinforce the jury's fear of black men. The second purpose was to help rationalize and justify George Zimmerman's racial profiling of Trayvon Martin.

Unfortunately, the jury embraced the defense team's fear mongering and subtle racism. Despite all of George Zimmerman's lies, the jury accepted his false narrative as the gospel truth. Sadly, Trayvon Martin joins the ranks of Emmett Till, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo and Rodney King.

I reject the assertion that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. That jury simply chose racism over reason. Obama is right about one thing. The jury has spoken. Their message was loud and clear. Through their despicable verdict, they said that it is acceptable to assume that all young black men and boys are dangerous criminals. They said that it is acceptable to hunt unarmed black boys. They said that the right to self defense is reserved for white people. They said that it is a capital offense for a black person to even think about self defense.

They told the world that black life is worth less than a piece of fecal matter. They told the world that Trayvon Martin was not a precious human being. They said he is not our brother or our son. They said that he is a deposable nigger. Once again, we are reminded that a dog's life has more value than a black man's life. So, no. I will not be politically correct. I will never say that I respect the jury's decision. They were wrong as hell. Most intelligent and conscientious people realized that.

That is why the people continue to rally around the country for justice for Trayvon. The struggle for justice continues. Thousands of people are peacefully marching and rallying in New York, Newark, Boston, Los Angeles and other cities around the country. The bloggers will continue to blog about this issue. We care about this issue because we are all Trayvon. He is our brother. He is our son. He is our nephew. We will not let that young brother die in vain. I pray that his death will be a catalyst for a new movement for social justice.

Here are some very practical things that each one of us can do. First, as the great Pan Africanist Kwame Ture always said, join a social justice or political organization in your local community. In order to fight injustice, we must be organized. The best way to organize is to join an organization. Remain active in those organizations. There is strength in unity. We must unite with other like minded individuals. Second, participate in peacefully Justice for Trayvon marches and rallies in your local community. Join the March on Washington on August 24, 2013. The U.S. Department of Justice and whole world must see our outrage. Third, sign the NAACP's petition urging the Department of Justice to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman. Fourth, we must lobby to eliminate Stand Your Ground laws around country. We must fight for stricter gun control laws around the country. A person who assaults a police officer should not be allowed to own a semi-automatic handgun. A person who engages in domestic violence should not be allowed to own a semi-automatic handgun. Such people should not be allowed to join neighborhood watch programs. Finally, we must take our civic obligations seriously. We must register to vote and vote in every election. We must elect mayors who make civil rights a top priority. We must respond to every jury summons and get on these juries. If we don't, all white juries will continue to render unjust verdicts.

Despite our great disappointment, we cannot allow ourselves to be discouraged. We must remain vigilant and engaged. We have come too far to give up now. The struggle for justice continues.

This article is cross-posted on This Week in Blackness.

DOJ and FBI Will Investigate the Killing of Trayvon Martin

Initially, the White House Press Secretary gave a disappointing, non-committal statement about the Trayvon Martin case.

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Fortunately, the Obama Administration decided to actually do something about the situation. The Miami Herald reports that the US Department of Justice issued the following statement regarding the killing of Trayvon Martin:

"The department will conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence and take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation. The department also is providing assistance to and cooperating with the state officials in their investigation into the incident. With all federal civil rights crimes, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person acted intentionally and with the specific intent to do something which the law forbids – the highest level of intent in criminal law.

“Negligence, recklessness, mistakes and accidents are not prosecutable under the federal criminal civil rights laws.”

This action carries more weight than any speech. This is great news. However, we should not let this news placate us and make us complacent. We must remain focused and vigilant until Trayvon Martin and his family get justice. Keep protesting, keep petitioning, keep blogging!

This article is cross-posted on Jack and Jill Politics.