Archive for the ‘community’ Category

by Rev. Jerome Chambers

“For 100 years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has played a pivotal role in shaping a national agenda to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of African Americans and other people who have faced historical discrimination in the United States.  And further, to support and leverage the work of our local units, who work tirelessly on behalf of many communities in crisis, by implementing an advocacy agenda to ensure equal justice and safer communities.”

When the Champaign City Council entertained the Champaign Police Department in a discussion as it relates to its use of force policy, the intentional idea surrounded the probable cause of the issues involving the death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington.  The promotion of this policy was as unfortunate and untimely as the H1N1 flu.  No one expected its arrival, especially City Council who appeared to be stumped.  The actions of two young boys, soon-to-be men, whose response is typical of 15 year olds has been regrettable, even more so are the actions of two police officers.

We now have to face the reality of the aftermath of this tragedy.  It still hurts as much as the inevitable truth.  Justice often lifts her blindfold to get a peek at the hearts of men.  How tragic, regardless of the color of these boys or the police officers in question.  In the midst of the public’s outcry, the men in question are sworn first and one of them is the Chief second.  If he (Chief Finney) was in the vicinity as the nearest officer, why wouldn’t he respond?  Whether or not he should have been there is a matter of opinion depending upon who you ask.  What would any of us have done in that position? The City of Champaign is learning to cope with a reality that has been thrust upon it in a most painful way.  It is now out of an act of sobriety of conscience that the City of Champaign will hear the funeral dirge of its taxpayers who will cry loud and hard.

(more…)

It’s very clear to the citizens of Champaign that no remorse has been shown by our top elected official, Mayor Schweighart.  Could it be that such inflammatory remarks will mark his political demise or will it catapult him into the Mayoral Hall of Fame, which for all purposeful intents doesn’t exist?

Whether this ridiculous posturing is another attempt to further polarize one race over another is a cheap disguise of angry behavior.  Slurs, harassment, unconscious thinking and inexcusable behavior all prove inability to serve with honor and dignity.  How much more delusion should be tolerated?

President Obama not an American?  Give me a break Mr. Mayor!

• You didn’t get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.
• You didn’t get mad when Vice President “What’s-his-name” Cheney allowed energy Company officials to dictate energy policy.
• You didn’t get mad when a covert CIA operative got ousted.
• You didn’t get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
• You didn’t get mad when we (U.S.) invaded a country that was later found out, that posed no threat to us.
• You didn’t get mad when we spent over 600 billion dollars (and counting) on a paid illegal war, leaving tens of thousands of young boys, hardly grown, maimed and killed.
• You didn’t get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.
• You didn’t get mad when the government was illegally wire-tapping its American citizens.

As one letter to the editor recalled Sinclair Lewis’ quote: “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carry the cross.”  Say it isn’t so!!!  Why didn’t we hear your voice loud and strong then?  Where was your opinion during the eight years of these atrocities?

It didn’t take the Tea Party Movement to bring out the Mayor’s true feelings about President Obama, African Americans or any minority.  All it took was an opportunity to show-off in a fascist sort of way.

You cannot defend unethical, right-winged innuendos as your opinion publicly, especially as an elected official as has been displayed to the entire nation.  One cannot be effective as a mayor on a city council that is designed to be nonpartisan.  Let your opinion remain your opinion.  We all have opinions but we cannot air it on You Tube for the whole country to see, so neither can you.

The people of Champaign for the most part are disappointed and what has become a mark on the city for which the late Mable Thomas gave her life.  May her memory remind us all that like it or not President Obama made history as the 44^th President in her life time!