If you've seen or read the news lately, Rev. Al Sharpton is threatening to go to the IOC if Mayor Daley doesn't respond by December 29th in reference to alleged incidences of police brutality by the Chicago Police Department.
It was well known that in the 1970s and early 1980s, the Chicago police used to beat out "confessions" of Black men. Some victims decided they had enough and the city agreed to pony up $20 million dollars. That amount of money should get anyone's attention---it sure did mine. I don't know at what dollar amount it becomes police brutality, but the agreement of Chicago to settle some cases clearly indicates there is a problem.
A recent poll said 91% of Chicago residents have told Sharpton to mind his own business. That's exactly what got the PD into trouble in the first place.
I am not accusing all cops. In fact, two of my friends are police officers and they are the most hard working guys you will ever meet. They certainly aren't in it for the money. For them, it's an honor and a privilege to wear the badge, and one they take seriously. As one told me: "the bad ones give us good guys a black eye."
I am probably one of the few who is taking Sharpton's comments seriously. We all have to, and it would behoove the Chicago organisers to do the same. The issues of police brutality came up in NYC's bid and I think it did cross several IOC voting members minds. It came out in thinly-disguised comments ("we have concerns about how certain security aspects will be handled.")
Replace Al Sharpton with Dr. King. Would 91% of people still ignore his comments? I think not.
Some people think Al is a blowhard and a buffoon. In actuality, he speaks the truth, sometimes painfully, as Dr. King did.
And it's a message we all need to listen to, because it affects all of us, no matter where we live.
Rock on, Reverend. You've got my ears.
