This is the letter that I wrote to the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department, Police Chief, Cathy Lanier, after the Michael Brown shooting. I wish it were a better letter. I wish it made demands for the firings of officers that use excessive force. I wish it were better writing. On the other hand, my husband is sharing it with his relatives, all from Haiti, living in Queens, NY, who feel good about it. I wrote it because my heart aches when I allow the thought that my husband could be shot for jaywalking by a white police officer. I jaywalk daily and never, ever think someone might kill me for it. Im pleading with my police department to see him as a human being. And, yet, hes a black man, so it might not matter, and thats horrifying. Please feel free to copy and rewrite and send to your own police department! Dear Cathy Lanier, Like so many in the U.S., and D.C., Ive been watching the events in Ferguson, MO with disbelief, sadness, and fear. Theres much I cant make sense of. I want to believe that this brand of violence, police brutality, militarism, and dishonesty could never happen with MPD. I hope MPD is talking about this and considering your role in the community. Im writing to make sure. This had better never happen here. We expect more from you. There are several items I wish to address. I promise to be as brief as possible. I will give you a smidgen of context. Im a white woman. I have a black husband. His parents emigrated from Haiti. He was born in Queens, NY. His mother was a nurse and his father an engineer for the state of New York. They made an impressive life for themselves, despite any odds. We live on Lyman Place NE in the 5th District. Despite the fact that we were robbed at gunpoint down the street a couple months ago, its a nice neighborhood, full of nice neighbors, with the beautiful Arboretum backing us up. Its a nice place to live and Im grateful that I get to live here. Here is what we need from you: 1) A promise that our police force would never cross the line into violence against a person because of the color of their skin. There are too many examples of this nationwide. I hope the expectation at MPD is that officers dont use excessive force against *anyone*. You are in charge of the vision and the actions at MPD. We expect that you set a tone of nonviolence as much as possible. 2) In the face of protests, District residents are never faced with a militarized police force, with guns pointed during times of peace. There is no excuse for the weaponry and force displayed by the Ferguson police department. Everyone here is an American citizen, with all the rights afforded to Americans, regardless of race. 3) That you never say ridiculous, untrue things to cover up the story. The police Chief in Ferguson, Thomas Jackson, has been giving press conferences with muddy information, at best, untruths, at worst. His credibility is gone. Hes done nothing to honor the victim. Thank goodness Ron Johnson has been more balanced. We expect the same balance from you. And youve shown us this in the past. I believe that you would be authentic, probing, and truthful - willing to honor your charge from District citizens. Thanks for this. We are lucky to have you. Please continue to serve us in this manner. What Im really asking is that you protect my husband. Hes a law-abiding, gentle soul. Hes loath to harm anyone and goes out of his way to be friendly, kind, and thoughtful. As do many of the black men in my community. I cant express it enough. I hope that, on the streets of DC, hes never in danger of assault from those that are charged to protect him. I beg of you that we get to live in peace and that we get to feel secure and safe; that we get to go about our lives without the fear of police brutality - as we always have in the District. Were all in this together and theres no excuse for racism. I hope thats what we can expect from MPD. Thanks for considering my letter. Peace be with you. Liz Guertin
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:59:13 +0000
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