|
Poeticwisdom
|
On Friday April 25th at about 9:15am, the verdict for the Sean Bell case was in. All three defendants tried
in the case were acquitted of all charges. Sean Bell was shot to death by three detectives back in November of 2006 outside
of a Queens nightclub. The detectives involved in the shooting said that they felt that their lives were in danger. So much
so, that they unloaded 50 shots into a car killing one man and injuring two others. None of the victims were armed. What
then posed such a threat?
This month's "Hot Topic" is inspired by the Sean Bell case. I chose to use a
poem that I wrote many years ago called "Blue Coats" which describes various scenarios involving NYC police and
their behavior, based on my personal experience. Although this poem was written many years ago, April 25th was a brutal reminder
that in 2008 we are still subject to police brutality and misconduct.
I would like to open up my message board for you
to post your comments on this "Hot Topic". Please join in on the discussion!
There seems to be plenty of disturbances daily by crooked rookies
peddeling ten speeds with grim deeds
persist to follow up cases with slim leads
traffic student patrollers
circle blocks for bystanders pull over
and call it up on walkie talkies pinned to their left shoulders
Plain clothes be gunning
They aim at suspects for their skull and
from their belts dangle thick note pads for summons
parking on side walks
breaking up the corners with miranda rights
at night they search for caps with flash lights
they block off crash sites
daringly spraying concentrated pepper gas
and for the witnesses scared to be seen through the plexi-glass
it's never fast
when being questioned in dark rooms with hanging lamps over your eyelids
probable cause got you five bids
officer down!
cuffed kids get shoved in back seats
down at central booking
badges of honor are worn for the most lives token
tell internal affairs they have more to check
Because in my hood false arrest
Is the number one leading cause of death!
|
|