Sometimes no matter how ill you are, the cure can be worse than the sickness.
On 10/5 WNCN reported that the Fraternal Order of Police of Durham NC has some recommendations for a more proactive approach to solve Durham’s crime problem including police checkpoints and more officers.
Although Durham NC is facing some challenges with violent crime, the involvement of the Fraternal Order of Police is problematic for many reasons, as the organization has not had the best relationship with the African American community.
The FOP has a history of launching campaigns against political activists such as Assata Shakur (Joanne Chesimard) and Mumia Abu-Jamal , who many Black people regard as heroes in the Black Power struggle.
https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/cuba-relations-fugitives-living/2014/12/23/id/614800/
The FOP has also gone after black politically conscious celebrities , such as Hip Hop artists Public Enemy and Ice T.
https://oklahoman.com/article/2327218/rappers-rap-charges-group-leader-says-lyrics-not-anti-policehttps://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-12-29-9204280329-story.html
Even athletes such as Colin Kaepernick are not spared the wrath of the Notorious FOP.
https://www.fop.net/CmsDocument/Doc/NIKE%20statement%20letterhead%20update.pdf
What is also, disturbing is in this time of political turmoil and racial unrest, the FOP has endorsed Donald Trump for President of the United States. Trump has raised eyebrows with his “Law and Order” stance , which is reminiscent of Richard Nixon’s program which had more to do with persecuting political movements such as the Black Panthers than it did catching street criminals.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fraternal-order-of-police-endorses-trump
So, clearly, the Black community has cause for concern with the solutions proposed by the Durham FOP. We have to develop better ways to control the crime in our own hood rather than depending on those who have such a stormy relationship with the black community.
Involving the FOP would do nothing to build trust between the police and the Durham community.
As rapper KRS One of the rap group , Boogie Down Productions once asked
“You, were put here to protect us but who protects us from you ?”
Minister Paul Scott, founder
Black Messiah Movement
Durham NC
(919) 972-8305
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