Philadelphia: City of Brotherly Thugs
[col. writ. 5/8/08] (c) '08 Mumia Abu-Jamal
The scene is as common as sunlight: cops beating Black men in the streets.
This time, captured on videotape from a hovering helicopter, a malevolent swarm of cops pull occupants from a car, and then proceed to beat the paste out of the men, kicking, punching, and slamming with a club. At least 15 cops are seen in the broadcast beatdown; an average of 5 to 1.
Within moments of its broadcast came the predictable defense: cops in Philly are "stressed."
One need not even await such defenses anymore: just put a tape on speed dial, and repeat.
If ever there was irony, the three car occupants were charged with aggravated assault, and criminal conspiracy.
How much do you wanna bet that the cops, who were caught on film in the midst of aggravated assault, and as they committed the crime in common, criminal conspiracy, are never charged with these crimes -- and probably will never be arrested?
How can I dare make such a claim?
Well, I have plenty of practice.
Most folks flash back to the infamous Rodney King case, where cops in L.A. went into a whipping fit, because King tried to outrun them.
Were they too, stressed?
It also reminded me of the taped beating of Delbert Africa, a MOVE member who was beaten during the August 8th, 1978 police raid on MOVE's home.
These cops, too, were easily acquitted by explicit judicial decree.
If tape doesn't matter, what does?
In the case against three cops who rifle-butted, punched and kicked Delbert, the judge ignored the video tapes, and cited both Delbert's muscularity, and the claim of a Black TV reporter, who claimed she saw him armed --this, despite the tape showing him shirtless, empty hands opened, and naked from the waist up!
Prepare for the all but inevitable whitewash.
Look at that tape again, and you will see something that you'll see if you looked at a gang attack, for these are gangsters, pure and simple.
Only it's the Blue gang.
Welcome to Philadelphia: the city of brotherly thugs.
--(c) '08 maj
Their clique versus ours
We have a right by nature to destory our enemies, i.e., those who employ their resources with the aim to destroy us. Thus, police are not exempt from this; rather, so long as their conduct run roughshod over our rights and dignity, it runs afoul to the rule of reason for us not to take up arms and destroy them. It should not be understood that I am saying that we should be proactive in undertaking a campaign to attack police. I am saying only that we have a right to possess arms for our protection and we should protect ourselves by way of violence from police tyranny, when it occurs. As a collective body of citizens, we have become too passive and cowardly. If the government respected us in the first place, police misconduct would not be a problem. In the end, the only thing government respects is violence.
Koba
Spoken like a member of the Michigan militia
Violence begets violence and there is nothing noble about tough talk that puts every police officer in the same "oppressive" box as if there were no difference between them. It is not unlike saying all people who look the same based on some minor physical trait are all exactly the same. Where have I heard talk like that before. Hmmmmm.
"Non-violence and cowardice go ill together. I can imagine a fully armed man to be at heart a coward. Possession of arms implies an element of fear, if not cowardice. But true non-violence is an impossibility without the possession of unadulterated fearlessness."
- M. Ghandi
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
Let us be realistic
Liberty, freedom, and justice are not free. And where such exists, it is not preserved by itself but by those whose enjoy the privileges concomitant therewith. If we do not stand up for something, we will fall for anything. Thus, it is my view that if the government does not wish to punish those within it who abuse the public's trust under the color of law, it is pushing the citizenry's back against the wall; I shall assume you know what comes to pass when this happens. And I find your Ghandi quote very amusing. According to you, anyone who does not bring a knife to a gun fight is coward. Very amusing!!
Koba
No
It says that anyone who intentionally goes into a knife fight, or gun fight, or any kind of fight is in fact a coward of the worst sort. Are you that kind of coward Koba?
You are right on one thing "If we do not stand for what is right we will fall for anything" and its becoming clear to me that what you stand up for is neither right nor justice but the oppression of others as long as its you who does the oppressing. Like Stalin as your favorite politician in your profile, though.
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
Mr. Luigi
You should take this crap
somewhere else also.
Authorianism, maybe?
I love the U.S. Constitution more so than anything else. To be sure, to me, the Constitution is as holy as any religious text will ever be. My comments secure their impetus from the hurt that I feel when I witness the Constitution's mandates disregarded, in this instance the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against excessive force, while the government--the collective body of public servants and supposed-to-be defenders of the Constitution--do its best to justify the violation. In any event, why did you not mention what I listed in the "About me" section of my profile? Is it because the content of such does not support your assaults against my character? And by the way, perhaps if I listed my favorite politician to be King Kong you would believe that, too. What I find quite interesting, moreover, is the authoritarian overtones of your arguments. Consider the following, Mr. Luigi. Authoritarians have a hard time accepting or merely considering, objectively, anything that runs afoul to not only the thoughts but also to the customs of established authority (in this case, the government). This is to say they are very conventional. Secondly, authoritarians submit to the established authority without question; and finally, these people are usually aggressive to, among others (such as, e.g., conventional victims of aggression), anyone who does not share their views. Do you have these character elements? Think about it. Consider the nature of your responses. But please do construe this to be an insult; surely it is not. In concluding, I feel compelled to communicate that we can express our views without disrespecting one another. That said, if I had offended you in any way, I apologize.
Koba
Authoritarianism indeed
Authoritarianism depends on violence and as a social practice it depends upon those committing the violence to decide that they are "above the law" that the rules they expect from others shouldn't apply to them.
I would suggest you take your pop psychology and point it inward.
Nothing you posted offended me much. I just find that people who talk big, like tough guys, with threats implied or explicit, are always bluffing and I simply can not resist the urge to call them out when they do. I just can't leave "fronters" alone, not sure why.
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
Interesting
Your presumptions and misunderstandings about people you do not know--nor have ever seen--exposes your lack of life experience, and caution as well. In any event, owing to the fact that I cannot fault you for the naivety concomitant with your youth (your response forces me to assume that you are very young, if not in age, surely in mind), I simply advise that you, until you have been exposed to more things and people who do not revolve around your block, not to move out of LA LA LAND. And by the way, I was not speaking about authoritarian regimes nor governments, but authoritarianism in respect to individual personality.
Koba
Awesome
Yeah! Quit assuming things, youngster! Grow up!
Thanks for the advice.
I've heard "my block" refered to as different things at different times. "LaLaLand" is a first. But on your suggestion I will start to put that as my return address in my future mail correspondences. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Thanks also for mangling Adorno for me as well, though I personally always preferred Walter Bejamin.
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
Koba
...Koba, this is not the type of comment that is cool here.
We can all acknowledge the sad history of injustice in our City, and we can all advocate for real changes, but-- and this is your one and only warning-- it will never, ever be acceptable to post a comment like this- that basically advocates violence against Philadelphia police officers, or any other person, period- on YPP.
As I See it; as I know it
Why is it not appropriate to post comments such as those in "Their clique versus ours"? I did not say that we have a right, per se, to assault people; I only communicated my belief that when the government unjustly employs violence upon us, and seeks to wrongly justify itself, we have a right to respond with equal force to preserve our lives and liberty. Additionally, these beliefs are not confined to police but also to judges, prosecutors, and all members of government who frequently misuse the prestige of their office as a tool to injure the citizenry. Perhaps so long as I post "The-Police-can-beat-the-[BEEP]-out-of-me-for-nothing-with-impunity" comments, I will be considered "cool" or "acceptable" to you; however, as I see it and as I know it, kow-towing to the government in the face of its oppression--especially in instances where the government is trying its best to vindicate blatant misconduct--facilitates the transition from a democratic system to an authoritarian one. Considered in context, my comments are appropriate as well as true.
Koba
Like I said, you are warned.
Like I said, you are warned. Advocating for violence in any context on YPP just ain't happening. If you don't like that, there is a huge internet out there for you to post on.
So how are you different from the cops?
If you beat or shoot the cops without the benefit of due legal process who are you any different than the absolute worst of the cops?
Cops are at least forced to learn a modicum of education about the due legal process and are sworn to uphold it, even if a few sometimes fall short of that aim. You don't even have that level of professional training. On what basis are you appointing yourself judge and jury? Do I get to vote for someone who sets the rules for when you are allowed to use violence? Who do I write my letter to when you decide to start administering "rogue justice"? What protects the rest of us from Koba when Koba becomes the opresssor?
If the cops screw up, I have options to get them fired. With you administering a justice of your own invention, I only have the option of arming myself against you. That's not a society I choose to live in.
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
Misunderstood
You TOTALLY MISUNDERSTAND me. You make appear to be some kind of lunatic.
Koba
Koba
You just can't make statements like this:
We have a right to do what we expect of the police, to deal with grievances in a legal fashion. How do you expect to hold the police accountable to acting within the law if you advocating acting illegally yourself?
Acting illegally?
Please explain how I am advocating illegal activity? Where did I say one should do what he or she has no right to do?
Koba
If the police use illegal force
and you respond with equal force. If the police violate someone's rights, and you respond in kind. Regardless, I think that if you look with an open mind at some of your posts, you'll see why people find them objectionable.
And just for the record
How could you assume that I am not educated in law? How do you know what my profession is? Despite your assumptions, I submit that I am versed and educated in law. Police only know the basics, such as reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and preparing 75-49s. My education, by far, exceeds that; I shall go no further.
Koba
maybe because you post annonymously?
...just a thought...
Police Brutality is a HUGE problem in Philly
MR LUIGI:
To me, it is clear that Mumia is talking about specific events... and in particular how this inexcusable violence is supported by the city structure... However, I do think that these events are not "isolated incidents" and are actually part of a HUGE problem....so, some general comments can be made---particularly about cops that won't cross that "Blue wall of silence" and speak out against other cops that are violent and corrupt.
It has a long history. Look back at Frank Rizzo, who was a public advocate of police brutality. Following the Aug 8, 78 police attack on MOVE, which included the videotaped beating of Delbert Africa (want to some video footage of that? Check out my video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usGZA5SovMw )
At the end of Rizzo's stint as Mayor, the Philly PD was actually indicted by the US Justice Department, and remarkably they went after a bunch of city officials because of their role in promoting and sanctioning a terrible epidemic of racist police brutality.
Now, responding to Koba's comment... You make good points.... Most bullies will only stop when someone stand up to them and threatens to give back what the bullies are dishing out... The Black Panthers provide an excellent example of folks ethically standing up to the cops... Also, MOVE has an amazing history of standing up to racist, violent cops and "meeting fist with fist".... In the Southern States, The "Deacons for Self Defense" have an amazing history of standing up to the KKK and other racist murderers.
I know the anecdotal history of police brutality in Phila
Black Panthers up against the wall, the trunchon in the cumberbund, infiltration of protest and social change groups (well maybe that last is not actually merely anecdotal for me).
I don't have any real concrete handle on what systemic problems there may be right now (aside from the difficult power dynamics that accompany policing in the age of the unending drug war).
But--there's a point to this--I'd be really interested in the idea of some work being done here like it was in DC. Ellen Green Ceisler definitely did some amazing work in this area. Really really impressive. But of course the problems don't just evaporate: the lack of power of the police advisory board's been documented over and over.
I had the chance to talk to the guy who was appointed independent monitor for the DC police, which had a crazy-high rate of use of unjustified force. You can read the reports and all sorts of background here: http://www.policemonitor.org/. It is seriously fascinating.
Nutter's made such a fuss about bringing ex law-enforcement into high-ranking administration positions (all the people he pulled over from the US Attorney), but at least initially it's seemed like they have been tasked with focusing on corruption, ethics, and efficiency. I'd be interested to see an intense analysis of the problems with policing--one that was supported from the mayor's office at the very top, administered by those investigators and others who have long fought for justice in this area, and meshing with Ramsey's supposed reorientation of policing strategy.
New day, new way, all that.
PS
This is the report to read first if you are really interested in the mechanics of charting problems and proposing solutions. The dozens of other reports posted give some sense of the challenges in catalyzing and sustaining change.
The Police Advisory Commission needs more teeth
Philly has a horrible, horrible history for police brutality. But in this, as in all things, transparency and accountability goes a long way to righting the wrongs. This year a narcotics officer was found with a "Blue by day, white by night" poster in his locker and is facing disciplinary action. Thats horrible, but 20 years ago it would not have been an issue, just part of the norm. We have a long way to go but its not 1965 anymore and cartoony "stick it to the Man" rhetoric hurts not helps your cause as I see it.
Most people, including African Americans, in this town are very concerned about crime and the senseless violence plowing down too many young men on our streets. Public opinion polls, including for African Americans, are off the chart for this. People are very, very concerned that policing is fair but they want more and better community policing, not less. The whole "its us vs. the cops" rhetoric is about as dated as 1960's era dashikis are to a lot of people.
Sorry, I got call it like I see it. Your experience may differ.
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
The two things aren't in tension
in fact, the real desire and need for more policing means--like you say--the oversight mechanism needs more teeth.
In my first response I referred to this:
Obviously, and as you obviously know, there simply are risks inherent to a group of people weilding the sort of state-given power that police have.
So I think that paying attention to how to effectively train and monitor and discipline those using that power just makes sense.
More than makes sense
It is required. But tough talk about arming against the police is pretty clearly not the same thing as demanding public access and oversight of the, no matter how you cut it. Arming against the police is preparing for MOVE style show downs - which does pretty much nothing to make life better for average African Americans - or anyone else who suffers from prejudicial police treatment.
A friend of mine has done a lot of work on the Nizah Morris case, for example. Some criminally strange things have happened in that case, including the police "losing" the homicide investigation files.
In Philadlephia we have a long, long way to go. I just can't help saying that talking about arming against the cops is ridiculous and counterproductive to the effort from my perspective. Maybe I just should sit out of this thread at this point.
-Sean
MrLuigi, my cat, actually only types half as badly as I do.
Oh, um, I actually didn't read that first comment
I am pretty talented at selective disengagement.
Yeah, the Nizah Morris case. Shameful.
re: Police Brutality is a HUGE problem in Philly
Jennifer already said this, but in the pursuit of internal consistency (like in terms of what i say about folks who say that business taxes are a huge problem) what are the numbers? Rizzo was Police Commissioner 30 years ago--in the past, say, 9 years, what are the stats on police brutality and how does one measure it conceptually?
This really is the direction
that the discussion needs to be headed.
See my comment to Koba. It
See my comment to Koba. It goes for you too.