Up Against the Wall

-
Did you see the story about former tennis pro James Blake being tossed to the ground in New York City?

Blake, who is black, was standing outside the Grand Hyatt hotel waiting for a ride to the U.S. Open. It was just about noon when a NYPD officer grabbed Blake, slammed him to the ground and handcuffed him, screaming: "Police! Don't move!!"

Turns out that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Blake just happened to look like the guy who the cops were looking for in a fraud case. One of the higher-ups said that Blake could be the twin brother of the guy who committed the crime.

Gets you thinking, right?

Imagine just going about your day when you're suddenly grabbed, slammed and cuffed.

Would be pretty dramatic, don't you think?

The police commissioner has apologized and the cops are saying:

"It happens."

Blake is still seething, however, and wants to shine light on the fact that even if he had been the man who committed the crime, he was handled way too aggressively.

He wants more than just the apology.

He isn't looking for a pay day, he's just trying to see why things happen the way they do.

Look.

It's a real fine line that the police are walking these days.

Criminals are armed to the teeth.

Officers are being gunned down while pumping gas.

The race relations are a bit testy to say the least.

The take-down was in line with what the officers are trained to do...just happened to be the wrong guy...who happened to be a black man...a famous, Harvard-educated black man.

Could this all be fixed somehow?

I don't know.

The police officers are in a tough spot these days. A moment's hesitation could cost them their life.

I know that Blake is pissed.

I would be too.

Perhaps he feels it is based solely on the color of his skin.

That has to be an awful feeling.

But a moment's thought about how and why it happened...might make a difference to Blake once he calms down.

The bottom line is that we need police to do their jobs...

...without hesitation...

...without prejudice.

It sounds easier than it actually is.

Blake should be apologized to...and maybe that's all there is.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more