Playing The Non Racism, I am Neutral Card

Playing the Non Racism Neutral Card

Once hidden over, the open confliction of the duties of the Police, the policy obligations of the City Council, and the demographic changes in the City will be like an open sore for all to see at the January 13, 2015 City Council meeting.  The City Council will pass a resolution supporting the Worcester Police absolutely and attacking the growing number of people especially the so called minorities who protested against police misconduct in Ferguson and in Worcester.

It is a foregone conclusion that the resolution written by Councillor Lukes will pass unchanged from its provocative and mean spirited words. There were some who thought Councillor Rushton would revise Luke’s resolution to be less provocative and leave open the door for dialog.

Many people are angry, disappointed, and feel betrayed by the actions of City Council. Not one City Councillor has said that he would vote against the resolution.  There is discussion among the opponents of the resolution about how to respond to what we consider another in a long line of racist disparities disguised as neutral policy.  Communities United is planning a MLK Day  Potluck Dinner on January 19, 2015 to win support for their efforts and to reclaim the militancy of Martin Luther King Jr. and infuse it into a new civil rights movement.

Communities United Collective and others have taken a lead in the protests at City Council.  Their efforts have put the City somewhat on the defensive. The Police Chief has come out in the press with a “Black on Black” news story. The number of shootings has increased. The statistics and the police’s policy is hard to know as the City Council has no policy regarding the police actions and the City Manager is mum, pretty much letting Chief Gemme do as he sees fit. This issue should be addressed, but the fact that it came out the day before the City Council meeting is evidence of its pretext.

The Police Department has put the pressure on the City Council by alleging that the delay of Councillor Lukes’ resolution has caused morale problem among the ranks. The City Manager who is the supposed boss of the police is nowhere to be found on these issues.  How is it possible the Police Chief can speak for the City department and the City Manager says nothing?

Evidence of racism disguised as neutral policy has been the elections of Councilors. No male person of color has been elected to City Council in my almost fifty years living in Worcester as an adult.  Lenny Cooper, Bill Coleman, Juan Gomez could not get elected, although Juan Gomez was appointed when a Councillor resign.  Women of color have been able to win elections and their elections are well deserved. The racist fear by some in the City of the angry Black man lurks and rears its ugly head every two years.

This year 2015 is a Council election year and no one councilor wants to be seen soft on crime. The City’s demographics are changing. We shall see who votes against the Luke’s resolution and his fate in the elections. Playing the neutral non racism card seems to be getting harder to do.