“… We all know that the real reason the call was made to the police was because they are black."

[kpete]

“… We all know that the real reason the call was made to the police was because they are black. I understand that there have been several recent burglaries in your community and everyone is on a heightened sense of alert because of that. I want you to understand the kind of heightened alert I am on every day and every time my sons leave the safety of their home.

To the woman who was following and videotaping my sons, you frightened two young men who have lived in this community their whole lives. Please explain to me why my sons were so frightening and suspicious? Do you fear every child riding a bicycle in your community? Are backpacks the Berwyn PA equivalent of a hoodie?

Please understand where my heightened alert comes from. Whatever you think of the Trayvon Martin verdict several things are clear. The young black man (who is now dead) was perceived as one who was “suspicious and did not belong in that community”. These are the words told to the police about my boys.

To the parents in the Greens at Waynesboro, how would you feel knowing that a stranger has a video tape of your children? How would you feel knowing that there is now a police incident report with your children’s names, address and birthdays permanently a part of an official record? How would you feel if your children tell you now that they no longer feel comfortable going to their friends’ homes, or riding their bicycles?

http://pattyebenson.org/2015/07/30/this-is-not-ferguson-los-angeles-or-baltimore-its-berwyn-pennsylvania-in-2015/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TredyffrinTownshipCommunityMatters+%28Community+Matters%29&utm_content=FaceBook

[NOLALady]

1. SIGH!

I wonder if the woman who called the police realized that those boys could have been killed. The boys behavior was perfect with the officers. We all know that perfect behavior does not save Black and Brown lives from Police executions.