Part Two
In light of the killings and brutality, the reactions of the police and even of some Black leaders, have been interesting and instructive. They have denied racism in the Police Department. Their reasoning is that there have been Black officers who have been as vicious as white officers.
My response has been twofold. To deny racism in any American institution is to deny the facts of history and con- temporary reality. This denial is tantamount to saying that because there were cruel Black slaves, slavery didn’t exist. Or because some Jews in the concentration camps acted like the Nazi guards, there were no concentration camps. It has always been true that some minorities in a cruel system will sometimes be more vicious than the creators and the keepers of the system.
Let me categorize the various manifestations of racism.
Simple Racism: Practiced by those who are ignorant or naïve, and are in racist institutions and neighborhoods, or are part of the “go along to get along” crowd.
Sophisticated Racism: Perpetrated by the cunning operators who generally set the mood, climate, program or culture. These racists are the leaders who create the institutions and systems, and remain undetected. They may even do charitable deeds and are applauded by the community. The simple racists follow the lead of sophisticated racists.
Sadistic Racism: Overtly displayed in uncivilized behavior, such as by the Klu Klux Klan and neo-Nazis. This crowd is who the general population is thinking about when we talk of racism.
Smashers of Racism: Good, decent people, including Euro-ethnics, who fight against racism.
The next statement that needs to be addressed is this: “There are only a few bad apples. An overwhelming majority of police officers are good and decent people.” Yes, the statement may be true about with this caveat: “If the good apples do not rid the bushel of bad apples, the bad apples will contaminate the good apples.” In other words, if policemen protect officers who are doing wrong, it makes them a part of the wrong. Therefore, they cannot be called good officers.
When I served on former Gov. David Paterson’s Police Task Force on “Why Police Kill Police?” I learned that the officers in the precinct knew officer Robert Torsney was having psychological or emotional problems, and they did nothing. Aren’t they supposed to bear some guilt for what Torsney did? You can’t have it both ways—“a blue wall of silence” in the presence of criminality or a violation of police procedures, and at the same time, declare that 99 percent of the police officers are good cops.
I have been informed that 40 percent of policemen are responsible for all of the com- plaints. If the 60 percent allow the 40 percent to engage in questionable behavior and not attempt to stop it, then they are guilty, too.
There is still another theory that needs to be debunked. It is the effectiveness of the “Broken Windows” tactic. The theory says, “If you stop or catch small violators of the law, it will eliminate or reduce serious crimes.” The facts are incontrovertible. The “Broken Windows” tactic is a bias- driven program against Latinos and people of African ancestry. There isn’t a penny’s worth of difference between the “Broken Windows” tactic and “stop-and-frisk.” Both are driven by the same racial- ly biased mindset.
In an article, “Beyond Broken Glass: Troubling Statistics,” published in the Daily News Monday, August 4, 2014, in bold letters were the words, “Quality of Strife. 46% Black, 35% Hispanic, 14% White and 5% Other have been issued minor summons.”
The policy targets Black and Hispanics at a rate six times higher than whites.
Another aspect of this “Broken Glass” tactic should concern us. What happens to a police officer who joins the force with aspirations of cap- turing serious criminals, and then is commanded to harass and apprehend people who are wiping car windows, selling loose cigarettes, driving on the wrong side of the street, etc.? Do they become frustrated and direct their anger and frustration towards these penny ante violators, express- ing what is called misplaced aggression? They cannot and will not address the real culprits, who are the commissioners and commanders. So, the most defenseless members of society become the victims or the targets.
Our son, Herbert Daniel Daughtry Jr., aspired to be a lawyer. He prepared himself through elementary and high school. He went to the University of Chicago and graduated from Georgetown Law School. He passed the bar exams in Pennsylvania and New York—the first time around. Eagerly, he started his law practice as a public de- fender. He wanted to assist those “in the hood” who could not afford to pay for an advocate.
After several years, he became disillusioned and demoralized. He said to me, “Dad, I am frustrated. This criminal justice system is set up to move everything to plea bargaining. I need to do something preventive.” He went into the educational field and eventually became a principal. In fact, his school was one of the most improved schools in Brooklyn, N.Y. Sub- sequently, he went to another city where he works as a coach to support a network of principals and schools.
What would have happened had my son had no options? What would his disillusionment and frustration have done to him? I also wonder this: What is happening with these police officers who are sent on the ‘Broken Windows’ mission and have no other options?
… To be continued.
