Two Ohio police officers, Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, have been charged with reckless homicide following the death of Frank Tyson, who was left handcuffed and facedown on a social club floor, telling officers he couldn’t breathe. Tyson, who was Black, was detained after a car crash and body-camera footage showed him resisting arrest and complaining he was being suffocated. The officers told him to calm down and were seen joking with bystanders and inspecting Tyson’s wallet before realizing he was in medical distress. The charges were third-degree felonies, carrying a maximum sentence of 36 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The officers were placed on paid administrative leave following the charge.
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A former Kentucky police detective, Brett Hankison, was convicted by a federal jury of using excessive force during a flawed 2020 drug raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor. It marks the first conviction of an officer involved in the operation. The jury was initially deadlocked on the excessive force charge against Taylor, but chose to continue deliberations. Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother, commended the jurors for allocating time to understand the need for justice for her daughter. Hankison, who fired 10 shots during the raid and failed to hit anyone, faces a potential life sentence to be decided on 12 March.
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As I reflect on the appalling incident involving Phoenix officers repeatedly punching and Tasing a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, my heart is heavy with a mix of anger, frustration, and sadness. The sheer brutality and lack of humanity displayed by those who are supposed to protect and serve is beyond comprehension.
The fact that this violent arrest stemmed from a false accusation made by a white man, leading the officers to target an innocent individual, speaks volumes about the deep-rooted systemic issues within law enforcement. To think that a simple accusation based on race could result in such a vicious attack is beyond troubling.… Continue reading
As I read about the Black high school student, Darryl George, who was denied a court order allowing him to return to school without fear of punishment over his hairstyle, I am left feeling outraged and saddened. The fact that he had to leave his Houston-area high school in Barbers Hill school district due to their discriminatory policies on hair is appalling. The district’s insistence on enforcing a dress code that restricts students’ hair length to prevent disruption and teach respect for authority is misguided and fundamentally racist.
The idea that George’s tied and twisted locs violate the school’s policy because they may fall below his shirt collar, eyebrows, or earlobes if let down is absurd.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel disturbed by the tragic death of Ajike Owens at the hands of her neighbor, a woman who fatally shot her through a door. The fact that a 911 call sealed the verdict sheds light on the gruesome nature of the incident. The idea that a locked door and a sense of fear were used as justifications for taking someone’s life is deeply unsettling. The existence of a six-person, all-white panel as the jury raises eyebrows and questions the fairness of the trial process. The decision to charge the woman with manslaughter, rather than murder, despite evidence of premeditation, leaves me questioning the justice system’s priorities and values.… Continue reading
As the news of the tragic death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson continues to circulate, it is infuriating to see the lack of immediate action to hold the Florida deputy accountable for his actions. The fact that this deputy has not yet faced charges is appalling, especially when there is clear body cam footage showcasing the unjustifiable nature of the incident. It is a stark reminder of the delayed and denied justice that often plagues Black individuals in America.
The demand from the lawyer and family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson for the deputy to face charges is more than justified.… Continue reading
As a young person, the world often feels like a place where the rules are always changing, and the authorities seem to be constantly making arbitrary decisions that impact our daily lives. The recent news of a Black Texas student being punished over his hairstyle and the subsequent federal lawsuit that followed definitely struck a chord with me. It’s a situation that highlights the power dynamics at play in our society and the way that discrimination can rear its ugly head in unexpected ways.
The fact that the judge dismissed most claims in the federal lawsuit filed by the Black Texas student punished over his hairstyle is both disheartening and frustrating.… Continue reading
The recent incident in Milwaukee where a Black man was pinned to the ground by hotel security guards, ultimately leading to his death, has once again ignited a storm of emotions and comparisons to the tragic death of George Floyd. The video footage captured by a bystander showed the man, Joel Acevedo-Malpica, in a prone position on the ground with four security guards restraining him, one of whom knelt on his back, reminiscent of the position George Floyd was held in before his untimely death in Minneapolis.
The disturbing similarities between these two incidents bring to light the deep-rooted issues within our society when it comes to the use of excessive force against Black individuals.… Continue reading
As I sit here, digesting the disturbing content of the bodycam video showing a handcuffed man pleading for his life, uttering the haunting words “I can’t breathe” before his untimely death, a wave of emotions floods my mind. The footage reveals a deeply troubling sequence of events, from the arrest itself to the moments of neglect that led to the tragic outcome. The initial arrest, while belligerent, seemed valid as the man was handcuffed and left alone. However, it was the subsequent failure to check on his well-being as he lay unconscious on the floor for five agonizing minutes that truly ignites a fire within me.… Continue reading
The recent news of the settlement reached by the family of the Black girls who were handcuffed by Colorado police and held at gunpoint is both disheartening and infuriating. It serves as yet another painful reminder of the deeply rooted issues within our law enforcement system. The fact that such incidents continue to occur, despite the outcry for justice and reform, is a clear indication that something needs to change.
One glaring problem that stands out to me is the lack of accountability for police officers. In this case, the officers involved were following their training for conducting a high-risk stop of what they believed was a stolen vehicle.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker