For Laquan McDonald and All Victims of Police Brutality, We Have To Win

[LiberalArkie]

Protesters shut down a Chicago highway last night during protests for Laquan McDonald. (Aaron Cynic / Twitter: @aaroncynic)

There is no ache more profound as the experience of losing a loved one, so my heart goes out to LaQuan McDonald's family. This young man is more than a symbol of a violent and morally bankrupt system—he was someone’s child. So, let my first words be words of love and condolences of his family.

Sixteen shots. Four hundred some-odd days. Countless tears and empty promises. Laquan was murdered by the state. And we have to recognize that this moment is not an isolated incident—not in Chicago and not in America. Anyone who believes that Chicago police chief Garry McCarthy, Mayor Rahm Emanuel or State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez care at all for this boy is deluded and disconnected from the realities our black communities face. These three have no concept of truth. They can’t handle the burden of admitting that they have failed in their most sacred duty, to protect and serve, and instead have become symbols of oppression, corruption and racism. Their pretty words are full of poison, and their villainous record speaks louder than any press conference. They never loved us, and they never will.

While this city erupted in pain and protest, Mayor Emanuel was at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, keeping up the charade that everything is just fine in Chicago. Alvarez’ office waited over a year to charge Jason Van Dyke, the officer who shot McDonald, until a dogged journalist pried the dash cam video out of the department’s hands and forced them to release it to the public. And we all know her office let officer Dante Servin get away with 22-year-old Rekia Boyd’s 2012 murder for as long as they could get away with it. McCarthy’s blue wall of silence has Alvarez’s office on one side and city hall on the other. None of them can be trusted, and none of them should be able to keep their jobs.

But, those of us in the “movement” are not without blame. If “we who believe in freedom shall not rest,” that means as long as one of us is oppressed, none of us should rest comfortably. After marching in the streets last night, being led by the fearless leadership of Black youth in our city, I have been chastened to do better by my community. We have to examine how our own “liberal” and “progressive” systems allow oppression and privilege to taint our decisions, even in the midst of displays of solidarity. Last night, I saw the press flock to white allies, who were readily available with a soundbite, instead of redirecting the focus to the youth and Black folks who were leading the fight. If our theory of change is that the people most affected by the issues of injustice should be leading us, then we have to practice what we preach.

Snip

http://inthesetimes.com/article/18636/for-laquan-mcdonald-and-all-victims-of-police-brutality-we-have-to-win

[Faux pas]

1. Kickin'

[deathrind]

2. I don't understand...

What happened to Mr. McDonald is horrible and I hope that Van Dyke is found guilty by a jury of his peers for the charge he is charged with. But I am not so sure that is going to happen (hopefully the prosecution is not going all or nothing with the 1st degree murder charge) if Van Dyke is found "not guilty" Chi Town could and most likely will erupt hopefully not as bad as L.A. did after the "not guilt" verdict for the cops who beat Rodney King. I lived in L.A. during that event and it was understandably a very tense and hostile environment, it would be a tragedy for that to happen again...anywhere in our country. Given the fact that the city of Chicago has already approved a $5mil payment to the family of Mr. McDonald it looks like they are not sure either.

With the events that have taken place over the last few years in Freguson / NY / Cleveland etc. I don't understand what this kid was thinking. I have read nothing saying he was mentally compromised or under the influence of a chemical. Why he continues to walk away with his hand in his pocket (that is what it looked like on the video) with the cops just feet away from him with their weapons drawn baffles me. I am in no way defending the police or placing any blame on Mr. McDonald. I simply do not understand why he chose not to stop.

[SoCalMusicLover]

3. Blaming The Victim

<<I am in no way defending the police or placing any blame on Mr. McDonald. I simply do not understand why he chose not to stop.>>

Why don't you ask him?

Because when you're a teenager, you feel there are no deadly consequences for your actions.

Because if you're on drugs, you're not fully coherent as to what's going on.

Because you don't expect to be shot for breaking into some vehicles.

Because you think that if you're not threatening the cops, they are not going to just shoot you.

I don't know why, perhaps you should ask him.

[deathrind]

4. That is exactly what I did not do.

It is simply a logical question. However I appreciate your emotionally charged non constructive reply.

I hope you have a good Thanksgiving.

[SoCalMusicLover]

5. Ummm.....Sure

You said you did not understand why the kid did not give himself up.

I offered you my possible speculation as to why. Honestly, I thought that's what you were asking.

But since I really didn't know the true reason, I suggested the only person who would know for sure. The dead kid.

I hope this guy gets a long sentence, but he'll probably get off. After all, there will probably be jurors like yourself who wonder why the kid didn't surrender. Maybe they can call him to the stand to answer that one, like other previous cases of police violence where the cops KILL first and ask questions later.

Have a good Thanksgiving.

[deathrind]

6. If it turns out

That the kid was mentally compromised or under the influence then the question will be answered as to why he did not stop when faced with multiple police officers pointing their firearms at him telling him to stop. As of yet there is nothing indicating either as a factor. It is not a de facto placing of blame to ask questions about anyone involved in any situation. It is how answers that progress learning takes place.

I agree with you in hoping justice is served and the officers spends the rest of his life in jail. So if the jurors are "like me" he will.

[SoCalMusicLover]

7. I'm Sorry

You sounded an awful lot like a defense attorney trying to raise reasonable doubt. I assure you, this will be part of the defense attorney's argument in court. The prosecution will answer along the lines of what I said. Basically it should be 100% IRRELEVANT why this teen did not obey commands to drop the knife and surrender. The video clearly shows that he was not threatening the officer, therefore the shooting is unjustified.

[deathrind]

8. No worries. :)

I appreciate the discussion.

I hope you had a very good day!