What has the killing of Michael Brown done to you? Has it produced anger, indignation, disbelief, distrust or violence? Are you stronger, weaker or still a pacifist?
Were you a part of the coalition of St. Louis-based progressive groups, churches and individuals that marched and protested, demanding justice, and shouting “no justice-no peace”? Did you carry a sign?
This coalition included The Universal African Peoples Organization, The Organization for Black Struggle, The Coalition against Police Crimes and Oppression, The Nation of Islam, St. Louis City and County NAACP, the Urban League and others, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individuals.
As you know, the case has attracted nationwide news coverage, and it seems as if everyone has done a story on the event. But since the initial gatherings it appears the coalition has disbanded, and the various groups are still demanding justice but operating separately. This is troubling to me.
The attention has attracted national civil rights advocates, as well as everyone who wants to be seen on television or heard on the radio, and the local and national news media is more than happy to offer them a platform. Now here is where it gets really tricky.
While the community is gathering in Ferguson and focusing on seeking justice for Michael Brown, some portions of the media are conspiring with county police departments and elected officials to direct the attention away from charging Michael’s killer—to making the victim seem like the aggressor. A typical divisive tactic.
According to the account on St. Louis radio station KFTK, a woman named Josie phoned in describing the confrontation on August 9. She said the dispute began after Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson rolled down his window to tell Brown and a friend to stop walking in the street. Josie said Wilson told her that Michael Brown rushed at him full speed in the moments before the shooting. Can you imagine anyone without a weapon “rushing” an armed police officer? This to me is preposterous and absurd, but it is another example of how some people are scheming while we are sleeping.
An autopsy conducted for Michael Brown’s family found no evidence that Michael struggled with Wilson, according to the pathologist in charge of the examination. What is troubling to me is the radio station, KFTK, is a station that hosts many conservative show hosts such as George Noory, Glenn Beck, and Sean Hannity. Should it be a surprise that “Josie” chose this particular station to give her story?
There are no daily African-American talk and information radio programs anymore in St. Louis, and I wonder is this a reason the original alliance became separated? Malcolm X once said, “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
Fifty years ago, Malcom gave his “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech. He said, “So it’s time in 1964 to wake up. And when you see them coming up with that kind of conspiracy, let them know your eyes are open. And let them know something else that’s wide open too. It’s got to be the ballot or the bullet. The ballot or the bullet. If you’re afraid to use an expression like that, you should get on out of the country; you should get back in the cotton patch; you should get back in the alley.”
Justice cannot be done if the victim is forgotten and not treated justly. We must give victims a voice in the criminal justice systems. One thing is sure though—behind each case of police brutality, there is a victim, a family and their loved ones. And with each victim, there is a story of trauma, suffering and insecurity.
Anyone can be a victim of police brutality, and those not directly affected by the misconduct often do not understand how difficult the recovery can be. Yet victims play second fiddle when it comes to the criminal justice system. And the level of victims’ rights differs widely from county to county, city to city and state to state. We can’t allow Michael or his family to be the victims. Rise up and let us see what Brown can do for you.
Watch the Bernie Hayes Saturday at 10pm, Friday at 9 am and Sunday at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24. He can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or email at: berhay@swbell.net. Follow him on Twitter: @berhay or view his blog at http://berniehayesunderstands.blogspot.com/
