Acting for justice

Good morning...

I read Rev. Lorrie Owens' guest perspective piece, and I disagree with her likening officer involved shootings and the deaths of Blacks to "state-sanctioned execution." Is change needed? Absolutely, but I am not encouraged by Rev. Owens' words as they do not appear to be offered as a way to bring us together and move forward. I believe we need to seize and follow Tyler Perry's advice, "Stand in the middle cause that's where healing happens."

My response to Rev. Owens's guest perspective piece follows:

I agree wholeheartedly with your statement, "Too many Black people are dying on the streets of America." Your op-ed piece speaks to accountability and justice... and they deserve our unflinching attention. What will they look like going forward?

Officer Derek Chauvin committed an unlawful homicide. He murdered George Floyd. He will serve the rest of his life in prison. Has he been held accountable? Has justice prevailed? A jury believes so. (On some level, we have to realize that nothing will bring George Floyd back... can there ever be true accountability... true justice?)

Officer Kim Potter committed an unlawful homicide. She killed Daunte Wright. Will she serve time in prison? Will she be held accountable? Will justice prevail? Jurors have not yet considered the facts surrounding this case. They will.

Officer Nicholas Reardon committed a homicide. He killed Ma'Khia Bryant. Was this homicide unlawful or did Reardon act lawfully to save another person's life? The facts are being examined to determine if this case will be sent to a jury. This particular case shows how different and how complex officer involved shootings can be. But at the end of the day, we want accountability and justice. Again, what will they look like going forward?

Emmett Till's murder was a tragedy beyond measure. An unlawful homicide occurred. Emmett, a boy of 14, was murdered in Mississippi by white supremacists in 1955. There was a trial. No convictions. There was no accountability. Justice did not prevail. Consider Michael Donald, a young man of 19. He was murdered by members of the KKK in 1981... my God, that was only 40 years ago! There was a trial in Alabama. One of the murderers was executed and two others were sentenced to life in prison. There was accountability. Justice... as far as it can be served... did prevail. The difference in the trials following Emmett and Michael's deaths show things have changed. And today, when someone takes a life, even if they're wearing a badge, they can expect to face a jury if that's where the facts lead. That shows things are continuing to change.

As you said, "Too many Black people are dying on the streets of America." Yes, and the leading cause of death for young Black men is homicide. We can look to the courts for accountability and justice in the case of a young Black man being shot and killed by a police officer. Derek Chauvin's conviction is a step in that direction. But where do we look for accountability and justice for the thousands of other young Black men gunned down in our streets?

Sorry, Mr. Mitulski and Ms. Fahrner, but maybe it would help if you defined “systemic change” and police reform. Maybe it would help if you told us how you would address black on black crime. Your thoughts on the death and destruction wrought by BLM? Thoughts on the BLM co-founder buying four high-end homes, in areas that are predominantly white? I’m sure many black people could be helped by the $3 million plus she spent on homes, because contrary to what Ms. Cullors says, she didn’t do this for black people, but for herself. If anything is systemic nowadays, it's systemic hypocrisy.