By Barbara Morris
On May 3, I learned of the proposed boycott (May 19 to May 23) protesting the verdict that freed three city detectives on trial for shooting Sean Bell and his friends. The instructions stated, “No work, no school, no shopping May 19th demand justice” How come no school? Shouldn't we keep fighting to assure students the best possible education?
The next day “The Tavis Smiley Show” aired on WNYC radio and introduced a Chicago panel discussing violence in minority communities and the necessity to change the attitude of parents, churches, community groups, elected officials, schools and police departments regarding social problems.
The panel decided that the federal government must do more to redirect and save, especially young minority men. I did not attend the Bell trial, but did listen to legal experts' opinions, including American Civil Liberties Union representatives. Before the decision was handed down by Judge Arthur Cooperman, they said they could see no way the judge could convict the officers of wrongdoing.
I sympathize with all concerned and pray there will never be similar tragedies. There have been calls for police procedure changes, but the crime in our communities creates an ever-present gun culture, and all that is needed to create turmoil is “the word.”
Guns wound and kill. Many are illegal and should not be out there. Even the men on the panel said they were afraid of their own children, but were determined to turn things around. The police cannot always bear community ire.
Last week, at the 105th Precinct Council meeting, we learned that a young man had been killed in Rosedale and two people were shot in Cambria Heights midday in the business district. Not long ago, a Laurelton store was held up at gunpoint. Unfortunately, none of these incidents is unusual.
Things are much better now than some years ago, thanks to good police work and the recognition by at least some members of the community that attitudes had to change — and those bright folks managed to. Some did not, however, as evidenced by the pictures on the precinct's bulletin board “Suspected Gang Members,” which indicated on several portraits “DOA” (dead on arrival). There were a number of other portraits not so noted — at least not yet.
Some scout troops have had to disband due to the lack of parental involvement. How many families do things together or keep their young busy doing some kind of physically tiring, constructive work? Taking a tour of Rikers Island some years ago, members of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association discovered a group of inmates who volunteered to take very stringent, military-like training because they realized they had gotten into real trouble for no other reason than they had no structure to their lives. No one tried to stop them when they began doing something worse. Please stop them as young as you can and keep doing it. Children are beginning to carry weapons younger and younger, and sometimes using them.
I have watched some of my young neighbor children grow up and out of their innocence. Some of them had endearing personalities and, at least temporarily, responded to outside guidance. At-home training, or lack thereof, is always important. It is heartbreaking to watch the downward spiral, especially when everyone else can see what is happening while the parents do not. Some refuse help and then put the full blame on someone else when it is too late.
I have been surprised and disappointed whenever famous people excuse or embrace anti-social behavior. Fame and riches, no matter how ill-gotten or not, seem to earn the embrace of the majority, including civil libertarians and politicians.
