I’m Just Being Honest-Reflections on the Sean Bell Verdict
April 27, 2008It’s been a day or two since I’ve posted any new news or opinion pieces. Partly because the cocoa colored news has been a little slow, but mainly because I’ve been a little down since the Sean Bell verdict. I’m not from New York; I don’t know Sean Bell, his Fiancée, Nicole Paultre-Bell or anyone associated with the case and I can’t say that I was truly shocked or surprised by the verdict. And yet it has burdened my spirit.
I think it burdens me as a woman who truly loves black men. I value the lives of good brothas, I pray for their advancement and their achievement, and I celebrate when black men and black women unite and love each other. So for this young man to be cut down just hours before his wedding to his long time love and mother of his babies, it really cuts into my heart. A man trying to make things right, gone.
On another note this case may be proof that we as African Americans haven’t “overcome” quite as much as we thought we did in the civil rights movement. Many people have been saying that this isn’t a case about race. That because two of the cops involved were black then race could not have played a part in this crime (call it what it is) against Mr. Bell. But I beg to differ.
This case has everything to do with race, because it has to do with how we as black people view and stereotype other black people. The fact that many of us believe the negative things that are said about black men, that when these black cops saw black men, they too didn’t see men, they saw criminals.
This also shines the light on the idea that some of us may feel the need to prove our detachment to other blacks and black issues in order to progress professionally.
I had a Puerto Rican friend who was pulled over for speeding. The officer that pulled her over was from PR too, and she had her little flag hanging off of her windshield. She told me the officer gave her a warning and said “I got that Puerto Rican love for you, Drive safe.” Now whether or not you think the cop was right for doing that is not the point. I was amazed as the solidarity and all I could say was, “that mess wouldn’t happen with a black cop.”
I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve had, that have been pulled over by other African Americans, sometimes for small traffic violations or for not doing anything. All of them have said that in most cases black cops were the worst in terms of treatment. Now I’m not trying to dog out cops of any color, certainly not black ones either, but it seems to me that black officers (black professionals in general) may be under pressure to prove their solidarity to the dominant, mainstream or white (once again, call it what it is) culture in order to achieve.
This is an age old debate within black America, in the olden days some historic HBCU’s refusal to allow gospel music, and some as recently as 2004 shunning natural hair. The silent expectation is that in order for blacks to succeed, they must assimilate and in order to assimilate we must deny a lot of the things that make us (to quote Rev. Wright) “unapologetically black”. And with that mentality we will have black cops doing the jailing, pulling over and in this case shooting of innocent blacks. So yes this case has to do with race. OUR race and how we feel about us. We cannot continue living as a fractured nation in the same land. It is not working. We as blacks must acknowledge our differences and discuss our common goals. It is then and only then that we can truly fight to end the problems that are plaguing black Americans.
Now back to the Sean Bell Verdict. I think what makes me the most disturbed about this case, is that we’ve got Wesley Snipes going to jail for three years for tax evasion ( He wasn’t right by any means but that’s not the point) and you’ve got Mike Vick in prison for about the same amount of time for letting some dogs fight ( I’m against Animal cruelty by the way) and yet these men can kill an innocent man in cold blood ( keep in mind that one officer stopped, reloaded and started shooting again) and get off Scott free.
At what point in this country did we begin to value animal life more than human life?
Would this have happened if Sean Bell were white? We’ll never know because these things never seem to happen to white people in this country. These are the questions that disturb my spirit because we as a nation pride ourselves on “liberty and justice for all,” should we change that to “liberty and justice for dogs”?
I as a black woman need to know that if a crime is committed against me, that I too will get justice. I as a person with a black father, grandfathers, uncles, cousins, play brothers and a boo need to know that they can trust the law and justice system. There’s no reason that in America, truly innocent Black men with no records or wrongdoings are just as leery of law officers as common criminals.
We must address these issues as a nation! Stop getting mad at Rev. Wright for his opinion, stop questioning Michelle Obama’s patriotism, stop using the worst of us to represent the rest of us, and get to the meat of the matter! Why are blacks so angry all the time? Because of mess like this. Because of the constant reminders that the American justice system only serves up justice for certain Americans.
I’m just being honest. You don’t have to like it.
My continued prayers are extended to the Family and Friends of Sean Bell
Emmit Till, Martin Lee Anderson, and now Sean Bell.
Shannon the Tampa Diva
mrkeyz
The verdict is ridiculous and it is depressing that the life of African Americans still holds little to no value in this country.
Giiiirl, I still can’t even speak on it without being sooo upset!
“I as a black woman need to know that if a crime is committed against me, that I too will get justice. I as a person with a black father, grandfathers, uncles, cousins, play brothers and a boo need to know that they can trust the law and justice system.”
Hello. I respect your ability to clearly express your views, yet I do disagree with most of what you have expressed:
What you need more than anything, whether a black woman or any other color, is to know that your men are doing what is right before God. That way, whether or not justice is served on this side of eternity, you will have the peace of knowing that God alone is just and no one will escape his righteous judgment.
The reason so many are walking around angry is not because they have been discriminated against. It is because they have a poverty mentality that keeps them locked into the past, always looking back, unforgiving and never looking forward, in spite of all they might have suffered. They want hand-outs, not true help. They want people to rub their heads like babies and tell them it’s going to be ok, and write them monthly checks.
I am not at all suggesting that racism is not still prevalent in this country. But so what? What are we going to do about it? Complain and walk around angry, or rise-up and defeat the enemy by proving that while we may have been victimized historically, we can still rise?
All the best.
You are well within your rights to disagree with me, but I feel like I need to address you.
You state that I clearly expresssed myself and yet you seem to be confused. I’m not referring to men that are criminals, or are as you say “looking for a hand out.” My point in this post was not to say that we need to cottle or baby any man.
My Point ( which you obviously missed) is that the negative stereotypes that are so common in this society are being taken as gospel in our society, and it effects the way black men are treated automatically (your post is proof of that) most black men, whether they work on the boardroom or the loading dock will tell you that they face discrimination. So Rising up is beautiful, I want black men to rise above the discrimination and achieve many of them have. But truth be told if racial profiling and stereotypes continue to be the law of the land, how does rising up effect that? If a oop (of any color) sees black skin and thinks “Criminal”, then how can we prevent a new Sean Bell from occuring? This man wasn’t looking for someone to “rub his head”, he wasn’t doing anything illegal. he wanted a night out and yet he was murdered by authority figures who automatically ASSumed he and his friends were armed.
So yes I’m a huge fan of self motivation, but that has nothing to do with this post. Onnce this post was not about bottom barrel folks, There are tons of angry black folks with College degrees and jobs with benefits.
I would like to address this-
“What you need more than anything, whether a black woman or any other color, is to know that your men are doing what is right before God. That way, whether or not justice is served on this side of eternity, you will have the peace of knowing that God alone is just and no one will escape his righteous judgment.”
As a woman of God I can respect and see where you’re coming from, but I cannot live in a nation that claims “freedom and justice for all” while not doing so, without saying something. It is the church that motivated the Civil Rights Union. Should they have just sat by and let God get ‘em later? Yes God alone is just and that’s why we as Christians should be the main being speaking out against injustice.
Good day to you.
Shannon:
The Sean Bell incident has nothing to do with stereotyping. If anything, those young men were fulfilling a stereotype. And I happen to be a native New Yorker who has lived in Brooklyn and Queens and I know the area where Sean Bell was killed. Most of the people who live in that area and who frequent that club, are people of color (just as an FYI). Perhaps that is what should be grieving your spirit: Why are these (drugs, crime, fatherlessness, abortion) so prevalent in the black community?
Further, Sean Bell was hanging out with criminals,( one is an ex-convict), and Mr. Bell was a criminal himself: it is illegal to drink and drive; Mr. Bell was intoxicated and prepared to drive home. Marijuana was also found outside of the vehicle he and his friends were about to speed off in (suggesting it belonged to them).
Also, Sean Bell and his friends (and Sean Bell’s father, who was “celebrating” with him in the shady strip club)were not trying to “make things right” hours before his wedding. Hours before a wedding, should a man be lusting after strange, naked flesh? Is that the “right” preparation one needs to be committed to one woman for life? Not according to the Bible I read.
I would agree with you when you stated this case has everything to do with race and how black people view other blacks, IF Mr. Bell and his homies were actually upstanding individuals simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Shannon, this was not the case. They were resisting orders of an armed police officer. They were drunk and therefore, making poor decisions. They were being tough, as is the way of many on the streets of NY. They made a series of poor choices and consequences (and they are tragic and sad), followed.
Regarding your final paragraph: I am not at all in support of being silent as the Church (if you read my blog that will quickly become clear). But God’s word is certain: if you live right and walk in the way of righteousness, you will be blessed and your way will prosper. It is righteousness, not race, that God is primarily concerned about. Our identities are hidden in Christ, not color (Colossians 3). And I realize that this applies only to those who actually desire to live for Christ.
All the best.
All the best.
My first question to you- Were you there?
did you breathalize them and gauge their level of intoxication? Are you a part of NYPD?
Next question is- would you listen to three men in plain clothes, following you to your car?
You see all of the things you listed are sketchy details depending on who’s testimony you read. But none of that warrants being shot at 51 times!!!
You seem to be missing the point of what I’m talking about. We’re talking about legalities. Simply going to a strip club is not illegal, and if you think black men are the only ones who frequent clubs with illicit activities then you’re mistaken. God’s Justice is pure but God is not the one that pulled the trigger 51 times. He didn’t stop and reload and continue to shoot.
My identity is in Christ, but in America my face is in black and all the hokey happy thoughts I can muster won’t erase that some people will look at me
(and you) and see a nigger. Just because someone where’s a badge doesn’t make them ammune to that notion either.
As a Christian we should be actively seeking change in our communities. So if you see something you don’t like in your neighborhood then you should be seeking to guide the community instead of condemning and reconciling it’s murder.
All the best to you my dear.
I’m done
I’m going to jump in here and not pick sides with you, Shannon or hismindandworldpeace, but this statement throws me off.
“The Sean Bell incident has nothing to do with stereotyping. If anything, those young men were fulfilling a stereotype.”
I don’t care WHAT kind of stereotype was being fulfilled. The fact of the matter was, Sean Bell was un-armed. Him being at a strip club has NOTHING to do with the case, either. Who are we to judge what one does hours before their wedding? Sometimes we as Christians are so quick to get caught up in what “the Bible says” that we become a bit oblivious to human right. I don’t care if Sean was a God-fearing saint or an atheist. The way he died was un-called for.
Shannon:
Thank you for responding and for allowing this exchange. I still stand-by my points, and like you, I hope to no longer read about these incidents in the news. Let’s hope.
Brit:
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 3:5
Take care, both of you.
Sincerely, hismindandworldpeace.wordpress.com