Project 21: Michigan Riots a Perception Problem, Not a Race Problem

Project 21 ^ | 6.18.03 | David Almasi

[mhking]

Michigan Riots a Perception Problem, Not a Race Problem

Black Network Says Black Distrust of Police is Misguided

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2003
Contact: David Almasi at 202/371-1400 x106

Rioting in the predominantly black city of Benton Harbor, Michigan after a fatal high-speed chase between motorcyclists and local police is being characterized by some as a ³race riot.² Members of the African-American leadership network Project 21 disagree, noting that a distrust of the police as an institution that is held by many blacks is at the heart of this matter, not exploding racial tension.

"The rioters in Benton Harbor were motivated by a misguided perception that police are the 'enemy.' Benton Harbor is a predominantly black town with a black administration and a black police chief," noted Project 21 member Michael King, who grew up in northern Indiana ‹ not far from the southwestern Michigan city. "This perception of the police as an adversary must change. The job of the police is to maintain order regardless of the race, status or wealth of alleged perpetrators. In this case, what should have been the capture of a speeding motorcyclist has been turned into a state of emergency that, from the outside, has been labeled a 'race riot' simply because the rioters are black. This case is not about race."

A Berrien County deputy saw two motorcycles traveling at over 100 miles an hour in the early morning of June 16 and gave chase. While the initial officer dropped his pursuit because of the speed of the motorcycles, another officer later resumed the chase into the city limits of Benton Harbor. With several blocks between the officer and the motorcycles, one motorcycle crashed into a building and killed its presumed driver. A vigil for the deceased that night later turned violent and began two nights of violence in which buildings were burned, police vehicles were damaged and police and firemen were assaulted.

Benton Township resident Evette Taylor was quoted in the local Herald Palladium newspaper saying about the police, ³They harass us, they pull us over for nothing. We [are] fed up. When do you say Œenough?¹² In this case, the enforcement of the law and public safety is being considered as hostile act against the community. Officers who overstep their charge can and should be dealt with in a formal manner. This occasion, however, was not an instance of abuse of power, and the reaction of many of the residents they serve was improper.

Project 21 members are available for comment on the Benton Harbor, Michigan riots and other issues affecting the black community. Please contact David Almasi at (202) 371-1400 x106 for details.

Project 21 has been a leading voice in the African-American community since 1992. For more information, contact David Almasi at (202) 371-1400 x106 or Project21@nationalcenter.org, or visit Project 21's web site at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.

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[mhking]

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[RLK]

Last weekend I had a car run off the road and hit the house I live in and damned near kill me inside the house. The brick chimney fell on top of his pickup and almost killed him. Not everything is about harrassment. There needs to be sanity somewhere.

[visualops]

So it's the cops' fault someone is speeding and crashes into a building?


I'll also add that cops will pick on anyone they either think is trouble, or they figure might be guilty. They are equal opportunity harassers if you choose to look at it that way.
My husband is a musician, and when he still had the long hair, he was followed by the cops for a few miles and eventually questioned and treated like a criminal in the grocery store parking lot (with two kids in the car). That's what happens when you have long hair and a crappy old car. Nobody listens if you cry "poor white profiling" though ;^)

[goldstategop]

Does any one know if the cops in question where black? If so it wouldn't be an issue about race.

[Dan from Michigan]

Their names were Lundin(Berrien County Deputy) and Koza(Benton Township).

I suspect they were both white from the news reports, and their last name.

[MinuteGal]

There were "several blocks" between the officer and the cyclist when the perp crashed into a building.

And the OFFICER is at fault?

Give me a break.

Leni

[visualops]

It isn't an issue of race regardless of the race of the cops or the motorcyclists.
The fact was they were speeding.
Seems to me if they'd done what they were required and pulled over, no one would be dead.
Amazing how that works.

[cyborg]

It seems to me that since 2Fast 2Furious came out, the young guys driving the japanese buzzcars and bikes are attempting to break the sound barrier. Most sport bikes can outrun police cruisers, but most civvies do not have the training to ride a bike that way.

[Old Professer]

Brrrmmmmmm, Brrrrmmmmmmmmmm, Brrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Brrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Brrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

BANG!!!!!

[cyborg]

LOL...

[Dan from Michigan]

How come I keep getting the song "High Speed Dirt" running through my head?

[BOOTSTICK]

Here in St.Pete, Florida a few years ago we had a similar incident. A 19 yr old was speeding through a busy street, was pulled over, and when the police officer got out of his car to arrest the speeder, the speeder tried to run down the policeman. The policeman drew and fired his weapon and killed the speeder. We then had 2 nights of riots. The Perp had a long criminal history dating back to age 12. Subsequently the local Black organization {Uhuru} pressured the St. Pete governemt to name a municipal Gym after the dead lifelong criminal. To think these riots in Michigan are not about black cultures embrace of criminality is quite naive. Black Culture in America continues to support irresponsability, cowardace, and immorality.

[ASOC]

Holy Cow - long ways from the days of HeathKit...

[Elsie]

I was just WONDERING if that company was still around. Guess I'll GOOGLE!

[sarasmom]

You are bypassing the whole PC System.
If an "other than black" individual commits a crime involving personal stupidity,it is the fault of the criminal.
If the individual involved in a crime is black, it is un-PC to suspect the perp is guilty.LEOs must be the problem.
Black skinned people in the USA are never guilty of any crime.After all, some of them may have ancestors who were slaves.
To think they might be guilty of any wrongdoing, is racist!
I just wish the whites and blacks would feel any degree of PC generational guilt for those of us with red/pink/mahogany skin tints.
Based on the current "buy", black citizens get for having ancestors who were imported slaves,I figure I should get a cool annual six figure income from the entire current population of the USA.
I mean ,really, get off my land and take your slaves with you.
And if any poster just laughs at me, I ask why you dont just laugh at "slave reparations" or lowlife, rioting criminals.
It must suck to be a Jesse Jackson designated black victim.
What with all us red/pink/mahogany people with prior claims...
LOL

[cyborg]

It must suck to be a Jesse Jackson designated black victim.

*It is so much more than a position that sucks. JJ is very selective in cases he sticks up for. His son is following in his footsteps by knocking up a woman. Except that Jesse cares more about fundraising than the child. Just the other day, a white student was beaten to a pulp on 'beat up a white student day'. What happened to that news? I mind my own business. If something is a clear case of discrimination then I will address it no matter who it is. However, rioting would NEVER enter my mind.

[farmfriend]

bttt

[beaversmom]

A similar thing happened to my long haired brother. When they questioned him they said they were looking for someone that fit his description.

[JustPiper]

Reminds me of back here in 68' with the Chicago Riots and remember:
"The Whole World is Watching!"