Reparations Means Strategizing to END Police Brutality

You know, I do not have much to say. You will not believe this video! It is ridiculous! Nineteen (19) police officers in Mayor Michael Nutter's City of Philadelphia and one police dog, jumped three black teenage boys. Yes...you heard me right. Nineteen cops jumped three teenagers. Apparently, the three teens were involved in a shooting. But, in this Country one is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. We also know that there is no possible scenario in which 19 officers were needed to apprehend these teens. And surely - without doubt - there is no reason for such use of force.

Reparations means strategizing to end police brutality. I do not care how much stress a trained police officer may be under at a particular time. We all are supposed to be professionals. If my stress-level results in gross negligence on my job, I would be fired - without an investigation. If your stress-level results in grave mismanagement on your job, you would be fired...there would be no investigation. Yet, all Mayor Michael Nutter has called for is an investigation and says:

You have to take this in the context of the environment of what were operating.

Hunh!?! In what context does it become acceptable for 19 officers to stomp and beat three teenagers? Can you think of one? If so, please tell me...

Watch this:

Now, this was only a small snippet. There are more videos here. The Mayor's office said that the police union prevents them from firing without proper procedures. So the police are protected, but the people are under attack. In speaking with the Mayor's press office, I was advised not to "prejudge" anything. I was asked that we let this all play out. It was stated that this event had only happened a few hours ago and the investigation had not been yet conducted.

Why should we not prejudge? What hope do we have that this time will be different? When have we seen the police held accountable - personally and/or professionally - for their abuse of Black people? Why should we not assume that this "investigation" will result in some justification for the actions of incompetent authorities?

But again, this is our fault. Like Amadou Diallo...like Sean Bell...like many, many others...this exercise of so-called justice is our fault. It is our fault because reparations means strategizing to end police brutality. And, we have not done that. All of the brilliant political minds, police genius and legal expertise has gone for naught.

To his credit, Mayor Nutter did pass the Philadelphia Police Advisory Board legislation - despite then Mayor (now Governor) Ed Rendell's staunch opposition. Rendell vetoed the original legislation and when Mayor Nutter had the votes to override, Rendell negotiated a compromise to water-down the Board's authority. Who knows: maybe the original legislation had more teeth. But as with most police review/advisory boards, there is bark but no bite.

Reparations means strategizing to end police brutality. And, that will not happen through police review boards as practiced. It takes the commitment from our leaders.

That is why we must overthrow an elitist Black Leadership. While they sit in their posh offices, 19 cops jump three Black teens. The Black Elite will jump now to lead rallies, build their membership and make a few dollars. Then they will return to their caves until the next opportunity for self-aggrandizement arises. But, where are they on strengthening review boards? Why do they not mobilize their organizations during the formation of these boards, to ensure these boards actually have some real power?

But despite their negligence, reparations means strategizing to end police brutality. And, it is time for us to snatch the torch from our failed leadership and protect the Community. We must be the ones who make these review boards more substantive...to push for stronger review boards to be passed. So, head to our Google Group and let's get to work.

Come and Get Your Reparations!