Oscar Grant: Face down and shot in the back
Another young, unarmed black man has been shot and killed by a police officer. Early New Year’s Day in Oakland, Oscar Grant, a 22 year old father, held his hands up and pleaded with the arresting officers not to hurt him because he had a daughter. But once he had been wrestled down to the ground, with one officer’s knee in Grant’s neck area, a second officer stepped back, took out his gun and shot Oscar Grant the back. And then Oscar Grant was handcuffed. And then Oscar Grant died.
Thank God it was all caught on tape. Several people knew they had better get it all on tape and used their mobile phones to do just that. Because lord knows that the eyewitness testimony of the dozens of people who witnessed this repugnant coward’s act could be discounted and distorted. And it’s kind of funny that BART authorities quickly told the public that their security cameras had not captured “a complete” sequence of the incident. But this was before anyone knew about the cellphone tapes.
Now, says BART’s representative, they are investigating everything piece by piece.
Does this all sound achingly familiar to you? It should. I was a new producer at the LA affiliate when ABC News obtained footage of the Rodney King beating.
That first time, as I watched the stark, moody, horrifying images of billy clubs raining down on Rodney King, my sadness and rage were peppered with a pinch of fear. That quiet, and on most days imperceptible current that many of us “successful” black folks ignore as often as we usually can. It’s a fear that at any time, doing anything, my life is worth less than a white person’s and therefore may be taken more easily than a white person’s and with less repercussion. It’s also the fear that because of assumptions about me, because of the color of my skin, that some of the “good guys” won’t be good for me.
I’m a law and order kind of gal. I believe that thieves, thugs and other miscreant bullies suck the lifeblood out of neighborhoods, stripping them of all hope of true community. So back in early ’90 when I first arrived in Los Angeles from New York, I didn’t understand what NWA and Ice T were talking about. I mean, “what was their problem?” And then, as an adventurous producer, I violated the rule that my friends who lived on the affluent Westside warned me about: “never go east of Western or south of Pico.” If you are a Los Angeleno you will understand this, if not, well you can imagine.
On my first shoot down in “tha’ hood” I watched with my mouth gaping open as two uniformed LAPD officers, in a black and white patrol car, slowly rolled up Crenshaw Blvd. And when they spotted a very elderly black woman shuffling her way across the four lanes, they suddenly burst into an extreme acceleration heading straight for this barely mobile pedestrian, only to then slam on their breaks stopping just about 12 inches from her body if that. They did this just to taunt her. The cops then laughed uproariously and burned rubber accelerating around her to proceed on their way. They did this as I, along with a sound man, a camera man and a local anchor stood off to the side preparing to shoot a stand up for the piece I was producing. It happened so fast that we couldn’t catch it on camera. But in any case the officers didn’t care. I wish I could forget what I saw, but it changed me – shaped me. It haunts me, ever lingering in my reactions and perceptions.
Another time, I was rear ended by a young white kid. It was broad daylight. I was a practicing Buddhist at the time and I was on my way to chant. I stopped for a pedestrian crossing the street and whammo. I was heading West, over to prayers, directly from work so I was well dressed and driving my brand new Nissan 240sx convertible. The disheveled young man who ran into me was driving a beat up, old, rusting Volkswagen Rabbit. When the white officer arrived to take the report, he walked around my car, looked at both of us and then turned to me and asked me, “So, what are you doing in this neighborhood?” And do you know what burns? You know what makes me cry right now? What sickens me is that I answered him because I felt afraid.
So when I watch Oscar Grant sitting on the floor with his hands up, begging for his safety, I understand. And I am nauseated.
Posted by: Carmen D. in 
Great post! It brought tears to my eyes visualizing Oscar Grant begging for his life, feeling your humiliation at a veiled threat that you instinctively knew may lead to annihilation, and thinking of my godson who turned 17 last year. As a young, black male, we know he is truly at risk no matter that he is respectful of everyone, comes from a well-educated, black, upper-middle class family.
You may let go of feeling badly about your response to the policeman out of primal fear. You should have been afraid and you should have answered his question. You have more than made up to yourself it seems, judging by your posts.
Keep up your impressive work, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
More than anything else, how sad it is to be afraid of someone paid and expected to protect you. How frightening it is not to trust the police.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:46 am -The worst era of racist lynchings in America is the period from the 1960s to today, white people are its victims and blacks are its perpetrators. A minimum of 60,000 innocent whites mass-murdered by black racist criminals, at least 2 MILLION mass-raped, TENS OF MILLIONS ethnically cleansed from the cities built by their ancestors. Vast and growing white-free lynch zones where no non-black particularly no woman, can walk in safety, day or night. Yet you have the nerve to whine about allegedly being afraid of the police. It’s a lie, of course (just like your little stories about what you just missed capturing on film. Sure.), you’re not afraid of the police, and you’re not particularly concerned over what happened to this young fellow, it’s all just an excuse to vent you’re white-hating racism. The anti-police, anti-white racism, the hate, you’re peddling is a major contributing factor to the level of killings in black areas that has seen hundreds of thousands of Oscar Grants killed (and the punks that carry out the killings are quick to spout the sort of pseudo-political garbage you push to justify their activities). You’re not concerned about what you’re poisonous hate does to them, either. Lifelong participants in racist war crimes like yourself don’t have the moral right to be outraged, no matter what happened to this kid.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:05 pm -Carmen,
Thanks for this post. It reminds me that some things have not changed since the days of Jim Crow. In those days, they ‘lynched’ innocent black men. Today, they ’shoot’ them. The method of killing doesn’t matter…. Dead is dead.
The life of Blacks has always been perceived to be worth-less than any one else. But that has been America’s biggest defect of character. It’s a good thing this was caught on tape. Otherwise, NOTHING would have been done. The crooked cop would still be around to kill more Blacks.
It is bothersome that others-regardless of race-aren’t outraged about this. That is even MORE outrageous to me. That’s WHY racism and injustice persists.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:30 pm -Great post. Why is this story not blasted all over the media? So many stories are just swept under the rug. My heart goes out to Oscar’s family. I hope justice (and then some) is served to those “officers”.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:31 pm -John, what interests me most about your factually flawed, rant of a response is that beyond spewing the typical David Duke statistics, refuted by the Justice Department, you have to make yourself believe that my story is a lie in order to sustain your own opinion of how the world works. That’s really sad.
I mean c’mon – “lifelong participant in racist war crimes”? Really?
Um, also – who built many of America’s early cities and most enduring monuments? That would be black slaves and poor Irish laborers.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:48 pm -Thank you ChiChi, n-2-me-i-c and Shirl. Please forward this post to everyone who might be interested in what happened to Grant.
It’s easy to do. Just below the post, there are are words. Simply click on the option to email the post and you can go from there.
Thank you for reading.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:00 pm -Hello there Carmen,
There has to be more than punitive action… this happens all over the country …police officers are killing unarmed blacks….it happens EVERY SINGLE month and only the most hideous police murders are giving national media attention…
And what is the result?
Bloggers blog about these incidents, yes.
Local residents sometimes organize protests, yes.
But then what?
Nothing.
Nothing at all happens after that.
And what will be different this time?
This is what we must ask ourselves.
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
January 7th, 2009 at 2:30 am -Lisa
[...] a comment » Check out All About Race and A Slant Truth if you’re asking the question, “Who is Oscar [...]
January 7th, 2009 at 7:33 am -Hey Lisa, nice to see you, thank you for joining the conversation. I think the first step is watching this case and making sure that justice is meted out to the officer in this case.
Also, do not underestimate the influence of public opinion in shaping how the charges are drawn by the DA and how the Feds decide to get involved regarding the violation of Oscar Grant’s Civil Rights. Keep writing, tell everyone you know about this story.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:16 am -Attention: FOR ALL OF YOU THAT CARE ABOUT OSCAR BEING SLAUGHTERED. DON’T GIVE UP. WHENEVER INCIDENTS SUCH AS THESE HAPPEN, WE MUST PROTEST WE MUST NOT LET THE MEMORIES OF THESE MEN DIE. IT TAKES TIME FOR CHANGE. UNFORTUNATELY IT TOOK SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS JUST FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS TO HAVE THE RIGHTS THAT THEY NOW HAVE. I DRED THE FACT IT MAY TAKE MANY MORE YEARS BEFORE “DIRTY COPS” WILL BE HELD FULLY ACCOUNTABLE. BUT, WE MUST ALL REMAIN STRONG AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT. THERE WILL BE A DAY, ONE OF THESE YEARS WHEN “DIRTY COPS” WILL BE HELD FULLY ACCOUNTABLE AND PUNISHED LIKE ANY OTHER “CRIMINAL”
January 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm -WHO WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A BLACK-BI-RACIAL PRESIDENT SO SOON? NOT I, I COULD NOT IMAGINE IT. HOWEVER, JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE A BLACK PRESIDENT DOES NOT MEAN THERE ARE NOLONGER PREJUDICE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. IT JUST MEANS THAT WE CANNOT GIVE UP, WE MUST NOT GIVE UP. WE MUST FIGHT, AND FIGHT AND FIGHT ALWAYS UNTIL WE GET THE JUSTICE THAT WE SEEK. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF OSCAR GRANT. IT PAINS ME DEEPLY.
WOW! If a white person made a site like this it would be racist. Why is it when a black person gets kill its a race thing. When a white person gets killed by a cop you dont hear anything about it? Quit using your fucking race as a crutch. Criminals get shot by police. I have never met a an honest hard working person who did not like the police. Only criminals who have contact daily by the police hate the police.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:24 pm -Dear Carmen,
I’m afraid I might not be able to articulate well what I am thinking right now because I’m still shaking, but I wanted to let you know I was here and that I read this and watched the video. It feels (it is) too much like privilege if I don’t. I have the privilege to turn off my TV or close the newspaper, but Oscar doesn’t. And when injustice happens it happens to all of us. It happened to someone’s dad. I have a dad. It happened to someone’s son. I have a son. It happened to someone, and if it happened we are all responsible.
I send my deepest sympathies to Oscar’s family and pray that justice is served.
I cry for Oscar. I cry for a young life lost. And I cry for us as a people. I know why I haven’t visited in a while, Carmen. It’s too hard. I have such a hard time when I see the division between races. Your posts are fantastic, and true to your new background you put it out there, but I feel an extreme tension among the dialogue that ensues, often along racial lines (you are so wonderful and encouraging with your responses, and I love your pushing for facts and not letting propaganda sit unanswered.
But I’m always left with a sense of impotence in how to actually effect change. My profession is in intercultural communication–I by design look at how to communicate across lines of difference. I’m 1/2 of an intercultural marriage and a committed anti-racist parent; My business partner, who is African American, and I, who am caucasian are designing a curriculum to help organizations build diversity into their culture.
And then I see this, which cannot be ignored because it’s real, it happens, and it continues to happen, and I’m paralyzed. How do we make it better? And I’m back to crying…
January 7th, 2009 at 10:43 pm -Dear Carmen, I am so sorry for this poor man’s family. There is no excuse for what the policeman did to an unarmed, helpless victim.
There is also no excuse for “John’s” post on this site. I am Caucasian and assume that “John” is too. He is a fool who has no knowledge of the appalling history of lynching and race relations in the United States.
You write beautifully. I wish that my country was a better place. But wishing doesn’t bring action–education does.
Let’s hope that no more innocent people, Black and White, are injured in riots resulting from this obscene act, and that there is justice for the family.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:06 am -There are bad cops, but most aren’t like this. It’s unfortunate.
January 8th, 2009 at 6:57 am -Dear Carmen,
January 8th, 2009 at 8:01 am -I am an African-American, expatriate, Vietnam Vet “Baby Boomer”living in Germany. As a young man fresh out of high school, in the late 60`s, I wore an Army uniform on foreign soil to protect and defend our way of life.
As I read this story and the various responses posted here: Despite the fact that we have just elected the first African-American to the highest office in the land, my gut turned with the knowledge that institutionalized racism throughout the country is STILL a disease that thrives and lives well in America.
For this very reason I have not lived in America since I was 19 yo. I am now 58. I still pray that God will Bless and HELP America to heal the hypocritical Blight that still flaws our image in the rest of the world as the best example of “The Beacon of Freedom” to the rest of the civilized world.
I pray for Oscar`s family and loved ones that justice will be done.
Deanna, I know this stuff is hard sometimes but turning away doesn’t make it dissipate. I appreciate that you stop by whenever spirit moves you to do so. I believe that we must talk about the hard stuff if we are ever to find ways to negotiate it in ways that will not continue to tear us from the edges. I truly believe that most people want harmony and equality. But those who don’t want such a reality are dispersed throughout our society as well.
I live in deep faith Deanna. I feel called to write about this stuff and I don’t always know why either. But I trust that God is using me and this forum in some way(s) that I may never understand. And that is good enough for me.
Sending you a big hug and wishes for big success in your business. I am preparing to launch something in the same arena, maybe we could work on something together. Peace
January 8th, 2009 at 8:55 am -There’s some blame to go around, but obviously none of it is in Oscar Grant’s lap. There aren’t too many crimes a human can commit that justify being shot while completely restrained. The police department(s) in SF and elsewhere need better pychological testing and more non-white officers. Non-whites need to be encouraged to join the police force in greater numbers, even if that means “quota” incentives.
The other blame goes to the protesters who damaged property and businesses indiscriminately. There’s no excuse for damaging predominately black neighborhoods and businesses to vent anger over treatment of blacks. It doesn’t help. AT ALL.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:59 am -Nancy, thank you for joining the conversation and your kind words. I let John’s comment stand because he speaks for many. Some others of the same caliber have followed but they are now unnecessary to the discussion.
There will be no riots in the streets.
A groundswell of demands for justice and raising awareness is what we owe to Oscar Grant and all others who are killed or maimed by over anxious authorities.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:01 am -Christian, thank you for joining the conversation. Of course most cops are good cops. And too many die at the hands of brutal, lawless criminals. That is a separate issue from excessive force. At some point it doesn’t matter why. You don’t get to kill someone just because you are afraid of them. And if you are that afraid then maybe you should not be in possession of a badge and a shield.
To me this is more than unfortunate it is shameful.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am -Maria, thank you for joining the conversation.
Right on!
January 8th, 2009 at 9:06 am -Oscar, thank you for joining the conversation. Yes the USA has her problems. But, to be honest, I’ve found no place better. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Germany and I would be very interested in where you live and why you find it more hospitable.
One day I will post about my experiences in Munich and Fulda.
Thank you for your service to our country.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:09 am -Jason, if you truly believe only criminals get shot by the police then we cannot even begin a discussion. Further, there are many sites like this by white people and they are celebrated.
And please identify any “fucking crutch” referred to in this post.
Thank you for reading.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:13 am -Carmen, thanks for your response to my comment from last night–I too have come to believe over the past year that my life’s purpose is in intercultural Communications (silly but true and telling fact: when I was 10 I had two pet goldfish, one gold one, named “Golda MyFish, and a black one named Martin Luther Fish!). I feel like I’m stepping into my destiny but again struggle with how to make it big enough to make a difference. I’d love an opportunity to work on a project together. Thank you.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:04 am -This has happened to too many people to many times. The police are good at shooting unarmed black people. If the UK, USA and the rest of the ‘rubbish’ asked this black man to fight for them in their war against Iran, Iraq, USSR, China, North Korea, Cuba etc, i’d refuse and state my reasons WHY! If they tell me i HAVE to then that means giving me a gun, id kill the enemy alright but it shall be ‘none of the above’. The FBI, CIA, Mi5, MI6, Mossard and the racists moniter these sites but i’ll tell them the same thing, NO FUCKING WAY IS THIS BLACK MAN FIGHTING NO WAR TO KEEP THIS ‘SHIT’ GOING.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:11 am -[...] Den: This has happened to too many people to many times. The police… [...]
January 8th, 2009 at 11:30 am -http://www.georgegalloway.com/page.php?page=content/tsarchive.html
January 8th, 2009 at 12:01 pm -What goes around comes around!
Points that wont make the news…
Ironic a youngman spends his life making victims and ends up one…
Why was a “proud father” not at home celebrating with his child, why was a proud father involed in a fight, why would a proud father not listen to the police and resist arrest, why would a pround father put himself in this situation and not think about his child..
It is sad but avoidable. I have proven that here in Oakland for the last 15 years ever since becoming a law abiding father.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:14 pm -John and Jason overstate the issue– of course, innocent people ARE abused by the police. To some extent, the police are often in a difficult situation, and make errors (the “fog of war”). Just listen to all the screaming in the video. On the other hand, the police get carried away with the power they wield, and it is up to the public to keep them honest–fortunately that is happening in this case. And it’s true that minorities are more often the victims of unfair treatment by the police. But it isn’t a race issue fundamentally, and the more the race card is waved, the longer it will be an issue. As long as there are websites like this one, it WILL be “All About Race”.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:36 pm -San Francisco- Demonstration Against Police Murder of Oscar Grant
AnnouncementsTonight’s events in Oakland made it clear to everyone that police murders will not go without reprisal. The burning cars and smashed windows of the evening’s conflict showed that the people of the Bay Area will not forget Oscar. The kids know what’s up. We are not interested in passive, impotent and utterly ineffectual displays of disapproval. The Mayor’s calls for calm fell upon deaf ears. We will not remain calm when a young father has been executed by the police, because to them, a passive youth is an easy target. We will not lie down and be shot in the back.
Today we heard the news that Officer Johannes Mehserle resigned from the police force. This is no consolation.
The problem is bigger than Oakland. The relationship between officer and civilian is perverse: an unelected authority enacting an unencumbered power of life and death over a population.
Last month, San Francisco saw a confrontational solidarity action against the murder of a young man on the other side of the world, yet there has been no response to the murder of a young man on the other side of the bay.
On Monday, January 12 at 5pm meet at the Civic Center BART station for a demonstration against the police murder of Oscar Grant.
The young people of Oakland have refused to take this lightly. Let’s show them that they are not alone.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:39 pm -100% agree with Chris above. Yes, we are against the murder of Oscar Grant. Yes, the police officer is at fault. No, we have not heard the whole story. Yes, YOU are defining his life in the name of RACE and this accident now evolves around a racial motive. WHAT? It’s NOT all about race. What’s wrong with you? Keep on making it all about race, go ahead, keep on. I’m trying to make the world a better place but you’re making it IMPOSSIBLE!
January 8th, 2009 at 7:04 pm -Chris and Daphne, thank you for participating in the conversation.
Chris first you say: And it’s true that minorities are more often the victims of unfair treatment by the police. and then you say But it isn’t a race issue fundamentally Which is it? And if it is both please lay out your argument in specific detail so that I may understand exactly what you mean.
Daphne, how am I defining “his whole life in the name of RACE”? Please be specific. Do you really think a rowdy blond boy from the wealthy area of SeaCliff in SF would have been treated the same way? I went to Yale, I have seen many a drunken preppy New Years eve brawl including bloody faces and passersby alarmed by the fighting. I believe there are multiple standards of justice based on race and class in this country.
It’s too bad we can’t work together to make the world a better place Daphne. I believe the world will only get better when we can talk about everything freely and openly even when we disagree.
It is unfortunate that you feel the world will be made better when we ignore racial issues and how they corrode our country.
January 8th, 2009 at 7:47 pm -Tom Brinks, thank you for joining the conversation. I am going to write about Grant’s record for tomorrow. But in short: What difference does it make? We are all innocent until proven guilty.
He did not resist arrest. There is another tape, from a closer angle, that does not show the shooting but shows Grant sitting on the wall with his hands up, pleading for his safety. Click around on the links, you will find it.
No cop is to be judge, jury and executioner unless s/he is in mortal danger.
Our justice system is one of the pillars that makes America great. I am not willing to cast it aside.
Regarding proud father – I had a New Years eve gathering at my home. The attendees were ‘proud parents’ their kids were home asleep.
January 8th, 2009 at 7:55 pm -Carmen,
Re: your recent post-There was bound to be ‘some’ rioting. I am surprised the entire city hasn’t exploded. And, it still might. The longer they take to resolve this unconscionable shooting of a black male by a white policeman, the greater the possibility of a full blown riot. And God forbid they find that cop innocent.
Historically, even in the face of terrible injustices, Blacks have a way of suppressing anger until it morphs into an emotional time bomb. Remember Rodney King? That was a fine example. Blacks had collectively ‘sucked up their anger” FOR YEARS over the wrongful treatment of Blacks by the LAPD. Someone finally caught them ON TAPE beating the hell out of Rodney King. What happened? They held court in white Simi Valley and those guilty slimeballs were acquitted. Blacks exploded with rage. A riot followed, and 50-60 people died. It took the National Guard, Federal troops, and a civil ‘retrial’ by the Fed before things really calmed down. LA was never the same.
What’s interesting about this post is that the video tape of Rodney King is posted following the video shooting of Oscar Grant. Yet, few seem to be connecting the dots. Imo, there hasn’t been enough anger and outrage posted. There are comments expressed about sadness, ‘how awful it is’, and sympathy for Grant’s family, but not enough ANGER. Don’t you think that’s a little strange? I mean, black men are brutalized and killed by policemen across America probably EVERY MONTH (as Lisa commented). It’s not the first time! However, like the Rodney tape, it’s the first time a policeman has been filmed murdering an unarmed black male. Again, God forbid they let that cop off. Oakland and San Francisco may never be the same.
I am praying that what happened in 1992 in LA won’t happen in Oakland. But if it does, I won’t be surprised. And I WILL understand.
I also understand your point against rioting, and ‘not destroying city property which people pay for’. Rationally, I agree. But please help me to wrestle down a thought that comes from a wounded heart….”Blacks have paid for police protection, too. And they still brutalize and shoot us.” Suggestions?
January 8th, 2009 at 8:35 pm -BTW, great follow-up post!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:41 pm -I live in central Ohio, and get most of my news from BBC. I learned of this story on this site, and did a lot of digging on the issue. What has surprised me is the seeming lack of interest in the press picking up this story. Given the original story (and the following phone cam videos), I was really expecting to see more about this locally. The Rodney King incident spread like wildfire. Is the timidness in approaching story because of the closeness of the inauguration?
And by the way – I’m suspecting the defense is going to argue ‘Taser Confusion’. I’ve noticed a lot of articles noting the officer’s short tenure (2 years). I’d advise looking at http://www.policeone.com/police-products/less-lethal/taser/articles/1772254-BART-shooting-raises-issue-of-TASER-confusion/ if you haven’t done so already. Anyone using the BART system notice where the cops keep thier tasers?
January 8th, 2009 at 8:57 pm -Oh, so thats OK then. That pig only meant to “tase” Oscar – oops, my bad! No need for a trial.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:22 pm -I think we should organize a boycott of BART for the same length of time it takes them to arrest the person they employed to murder Oscar Grant. I would suspect the revenue supports the salaries of the killers they employ. Why would we continue to pay their salary when they are killing innocent citizens? I also believe BART is a government agency so why would we continue to knowingly give money to the same people who are doing nothing to ensure this murderer is locked up.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:48 pm -Its not just the black person who gets harassed by the police or shot and killed while unarmed. Look at what happened in Stockton.
“Two veteran California Highway Patrol officers shot and killed a Stockton man who authorities say accelerated toward them after they tried to stop him near Farmington early Sunday.
Joseph Anthony Pinasco, 21, had no record of problems with law enforcement, said officer Adrian Quintero, the CHP spokesman in Stockton.”
This is from the Stockton Record. The witnesses are saying that the truck could not of been accelerating towards them because the truck was stuck in a ditch.
I do not know how to explain that it is not a racial thing. My brother was beaten up by the cops in a mistaken identity and then threatened. after the cops said they no he was innocent. So if the police are getting out of hand on protecting us who do we turn to… I am a law bidding citizen. The only thing I have ever done is maybe speed over the speed limit by 5 miles on the freeway.
Its not all about race… we are all humans. What happened to Oscar Grant disgusts me. I was born in Oakland. I lost my father and my Uncle there.. It disturbs me the cops do not handle things the way they should anywhere..
My heart goes out to Oscars family and I know his little girl will always wonder why… I know I still do. I pray she finds the peace she needs in life.. There is no accuse for that officer to be walking around free.. You and I would be behind bars right now..
January 9th, 2009 at 6:23 am -Online organizing has been hampered. The local news station websites (KTVU for example)has disabled any blogging about the killing. If you search “Oscar Grant” online you see a confusing list of non-blogging websites. I have created a non-censored blog for anybody to leave opinions. The blog was created for the only purpose to express your opinions about the killing. Hopefully the blog is useful and gets lots of comments. Tell your family and friends about the blog. Let’s organize our thoughts!
Go to: http://justiceforoscar.blogspot.com/
January 9th, 2009 at 2:13 pm -HI everyone,
January 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm -in this dialogue, now and then a comment perks up claiming that the shooting of oscar grant is not a racial issue. ” its not just black people,” ” etc etc. I just find that amazingly ignorant.
last night when i found out about oscar grant, i felt so heavy and numb. no words. i was thinking about how racism is like reflex. how that police officer probably didnt even have Thoughts so much as acted out of complete impulse. complete assumption, conditioned no-basis fears. that is where racism sits, that is where it lives- reflexes. our saturated imaginations. it is very different to be black, to be white, in this country, it is different, it is different LifeTerms. i am white and am reflecting on where i am in this, in this fight. how i dont think i can just combat the police (though that is essential and presently #1), because i am part of this racist power structure. i have to watch explore examine Recognize my own racism, my own impulses and thoughts and stand in that and be uncomfortable. have to go there, be willing to be uncomfortable. and dissolve that. i dont know exactly if im articulate or how to talk about this, i dont speak often about race but i want to begin to break things in my head more, and on the street more, and in politics and it all it all IT ALL,
it’s amazing how so many responders can flat out say race is not an issue in this tragedy. race relations go so deep in this country.. yet people keep trying to use the color blind reasoning. i know i shouldnt be, but sometimes i am so shocked by people’s ignorance in 2009.. i teared up seeing rodney king’s video and oscar grant’s. how dare these fools say it was not racially motivated.
i’m thankful for those who caught that pig red handed with their phones. i’m thankful that people are fighting back against this injustice.. and it’s working. the news is world wide now. it needs to be known, discussed, and resisted. thank you for the article.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:02 am -Asante Sana,
What about Oscar’s mother. What about her investment of over 23years. Indeed for over 23 years she loved and nutured her son, who by all accounts was a descent upright citizen. I attended his funeral and saluted him in his coffin.
Here’s a question. Where was his father? He was never mentioned. I am a father. My son’s birthday was yesterday he turned 26 years old. He does not have a job. But he is a good young man. I cried because Oscar had two jobs and Oscar alledgedly tried to make the peace on that platform. It was said that he told his friends to chill out and not talk crazy to the police.
Isn’t it a shame that no good deed goes unpunished. I believe that this racist cop went after him because he tried to make the peace.
Here is another question why were there no black police officers working with the white officers? I think it had to do with institutional racism. Overtime pay was reserved for the white officers and the black officers were left off the work schedule.
I am African American and 54 years old. I wish I could afford to move to Africa. I would do it in a heartbeat. I would book passage on a ship. I would return to the motherland by water in order to complete the circle. My ancestors came by boat and I would like to return by boat.
I hope this racist police has not taken a slow boat to China or Europe or some other distant port in an effort to escape prosecution.
Thursday I attend the BART Board meeting. Afterward one of my daughters who works along with her sister across the street from where the BART Board meeting was being held happen to see me exiting the building and called my cellphone and invited me to lunch. I said o.k. and both my daughters came across the street and hugged me.
That really made the point for me. I could have been Oscar Grant. I could have been murdered and never have known the joy of having children who adore and respect me. I thank God for my life and for their lives.
Just last week I was telling their mother something completely different. America is a contract and deal breaker. How many black families are disfunctional simply because racism looms so large that it chokes the love and respect that are needed in order for growth and development.
I did not know Oscar Grant, but from what I can see he had a loving mother and a loving uncle, some loving aunts and a loving Grandfather. It appears that this core group taught him and his sister to love and respect other people.
Oscar Grant was a bridge, a link between to ethnic communities. His daughter was bi-racial. She was Afro-Mexican. I don’t know what is relationship was with her mother, but I know he had lots of friends who were of Spanish descent. I saw so many Mexican at the funeral that I am led to believe that he was respected by the Mexican population in Hayward, California. This speaks volumes about his character. Conjunto. Some of his pallbearers were Latinos. You don’t get that everyday. That is what is important to understand.
Fastforward to the Fruitvale BART station where he was murdered. The station sits in a major barrio in Oakland. The next station sits in a major black neighborhood. I think the racist cops knew what they were doing when they chose to pull this mixed group of friends off the train at this particular location. They wanted to kill a black man in a largely mexican area in order to gauge the reaction and responses of the two communities towards one another. Racist do this kind of thing in order to fan the flames of discontent and hatred. I just hope that it backfires and that this incident will draw these communities closer together. I am so glad that Oscar Grant lived the type of life that he did and loved his daughter and I believe her mother as well. I real man beloved by two communities who will never forget him! I hope his daughter will grow up and take up his loving ways. He passing is certainly a terrible loss to us all.
He seemed to be pointing the way to a better future for Black and Brown America. White America needs to take note and get out of our way.
I say no to propostion hate. Shame on you racist Americans.
Peace and Paradise to all right thinking People
January 10th, 2009 at 2:01 am -I personally believe that this is a terrible thing. I think that it was not a race thing, whether it was an accident or not it will always be a question, but as far as just because he was black i don’ think that is the question. And in a little more civil way i think Jason was referring to the “crutch” as a lot of times african american people will use their race to get things they want. I have always said that segregation continues because AA (african americans) segregate themselves. If there were to be a WET (white entertainment television) channel it would outrage the black community. I’m from Florida and we have an annual “BCR” (black college reunion) if we had a “WCR” white college reunion it would be another outrage. I’m not black nor i’m white, i’m hispanic but i’m an AMERICAN anyway you look at it. Like the post that says “White America needs to take note and get out of our way”….is that what the african american community wants? to turn the US into a Black country…if so than what is that….RACISM. Instead of looking back on history and saying “well my ancestors were slaves because of the white man”..you’re damn right they were but guess what that was then this is now…we are all a different society. Of course there are racists out there OF ALL COLORS…unfortunatly it seems like just the white racists are the ones brought up…but what about the blacks saying “White America should take note and get out of our way”….thats a racist stayment made AGAINST white people. My Bestfriend of 17 years and current roomate is black but to me he’s my boy i dont’ give a damn what color he or anyone else is. I don’t agree with Jason in this post where he states that criminals get shot, i didn’t see any crime being committed when that young man was killed, i do believe in justice and i do believe the officer should be charged, but please tell me what purpose rioting serves? If you research the Oakland community and the area that the riots occured you’ll find that many of those businesses and buildings were owned by not white buisness owners but black ones. So by tearing the city apart and destroying businesses and government property please explain how that will bring justice for this young man. To be honest i think he is sitting in heaven shaking his head wishing things were being done by “his people” differntly. I serve for Justice but the right justice not violent Justice. Just a few thoughts…but good post Carmen.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:49 pm -Carmen,
You asked me to elaborate on my earlier post: how can minorites be victimized more frequently, yet police overuse of force is not fundamentally a race issue?
Come on, Carmen! You must be smarter that that. If an event happens to group A with a frequency of 15/100 and group B with a frequency of 30/100, it’s not fundamentally about being in group B. It is a factor. It’s like saying poor grades are fundamentally about being impoverished.
Most of us have probably been harassed by the police at some time growing up. White kids tell themselves that the police distrust them because they are young, boisterous and anti-authoritarian and they are being targeted because they are “young punks”. Black kids, apparently, tell themselves it’s because they are black. Well, in this incident the police were called because of complaints of fighting. So it sounds like they were going in to take care of what they perceived as “young punks”.
Think about it–what kind of person becomes a policeman? Someone who enjoys confrontation. And thank God they take the job. I wouldn’t want Dr. Phil trying to police my street! The police are like honeybees, or dobermans: valuable. But with inherent danger. To do their job, they need to wield a lot of power. We as the rest of society need to make sure that the dobermans we give power to, in the name of keeping us safe, know when to bite and not to bite.
Incidentally, that is why the Army is never deployed domestically. The National Guard is used. It reduces the risk of a coup. You have to have checks and balances on the people with the guns.
So if police harassment and shooting isn’t fundamentally a race issue, why are blacks more frequently targeted? Well, if I had the whole answer to that, I would be smarter than I am.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:30 am -What a horrible thing to happen, it is a shame. Yet in the USA it is every persons right to a fair trial, etc. If the cop who shot Oscar Grant killed himself tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised. People are treating this like he killed the guy on purpose, because he was black. I find it hilarious that in a time when there is a bi-racial president and white people are the victoms of racism people want to think this killing had anything to do with race. I feel sorry for Oscar Grant and his family. But I feel sorry for the cop. If a black cop killed a black person it wouldn’t have been such an outrage. If I white cop killed a white kid you probobly wouldn’t have heard about it. Wake up folks. Blacks have it easy…..soak in your 15 minutes of fame and blame “the man” as much as you can because soon it’ll all be over with. Hopefully, one day, we can be all Americans.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:20 pm -[...] Grant: Black in the Wrong Space* – The Field Negro: Oakland, we have a problem – All About Race: Oscar Grant: Face down and shot in the back * Read also her post earlier this week about raising her sons, I Am Sean Bell: A Mother’s [...]
February 18th, 2009 at 12:07 pm -To all the people saying it could have happened to anyone….all I can do is LAUGH and I mean LAUGH!!!!
There is no way this would have happened to someone who is white. I do think there needs to be a fair trial, but God help CA if this guy gets released. I don’t condone rioting or violence, but really? Why did he shoot Oscar? The kid was already subdued. This never EVER would have happened to a white kid. I know because I’ve seen pretty vicious fights between to white college kids after a long night out. If the police are even called, all they do is break it up no need to pull out riot tasers or firearms. So, I don’t know if they should call it murder, but it is definitely manslaughter. I hope Mehserle doesn’t kill himself, because that won’t deflate the outrage it will just make it worse. The people are tired of seeing law enforcers getting over because they suppposedly “enforce” the laws.
I mean it’s just like how many people want to take the wind out of black american sails by saying Obama is biracial in to feign equality when what they are really saying is haahaha it wasn’t a “real” black person. When in reality most black people aren’t entirely african and that’s even if their ancestors were from Africa. Africa isn’t the only place on earth with black people idiots! I say this as a biracial person myself. I do acknowledge that Obama’s parents are different “races”, but HE calls himself a black american. If he claimed he was biracial from the get go then I could understand that, because there isn’t anything wrong in doing so.
So why are you guys trying to harp otherwise? Oh that’s right because you’re pathetic and you like taking that “well, he’s not ALL the way black” dig at black people even though maybe a year ago you all were embracing the one-drop rule. If he wasn’t the Commander in Chief he would be just another “n-word” as far as you all are concerned. So to all those who say he’s biracial when HE says he isn’t (at least sociologically) go F**K YOURSELVES!
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:15 am -Matt says,
“If there were to be a WET (white entertainment television) channel it would outrage the black community…i’m hispanic”
Yeah, you should have heard how pissed off all my black friends were when I told them about MTV Tr3s.
Give me a break. Black Entertainment Television was needed because all of the other stations *WERE AND CONTINUE TO BE* White Entertainment Television.
Since you’re Hispanic, do you watch Telemundo, Univision, or MTV Tr3s? I personally used to watch Univision when I was in Oklahoma. I never once saw an Afro-Latino. I know they exist. I watch baseball and there is at least one on every team.
The murders of Amadou Diallo and Patrick Dorismond and the violation of Abner Louima show that regardless of the ethnic origin of someone with black skin, in America they are all viewed as n—ers.
Also Matt, since you’re in Florida you know that white Hispanic Cubans are welcomed while black Hatians are forced to go back. And while I don’t know for sure, I don’t expect that life in Florida is the same for a black Hispanic Cuban as it is for white Hispanics.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm -[...] during a traffic stop, but shot through a closet door to kill the second two. Like in the case of Johannes Mehserle’s killing of Oscar Grant, I believe fear and anger corrode the ability to see “the others” as fully formed human beings. [...]
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 am -