Once again the Mayor of Memphis deals a blow to Black and minority citizens with his “tough on crime” heavy hand approach that seems to satisfy his conservative constituents. Mayor Jim Strickland, rather than diffusing volatile, sensitive situations, infuses himself into conflicts between Memphis citizens and the Memphis police department. His actions causes one to question why White leaders rely so heavily on police to direct their political will?
Also, why do City officials seems to appreciate one part of the city (focus positively on some areas of the city) while in total disdain of the other? (while totally ignoring or displaying disdain toward the other?) Meanwhile, impoverished citizens are direly in need of comprehensive long and short term plans to solve many urban problems.
Mayor Strickland would rather besiege on the frustrations of urban life. He would prefer to address, with brute police force power, any outwardly show of frustration felt by Blacks and other minorities. We elected him to govern, serve and protect the needs of all people, not just a chosen few.
It must be noted that law enforcement officers are also citizens, but with no greater Constitutional rights than any ordinary citizen. Now, as in the past, Police departments all over America are being used to advance the agendas of political leaders. This is especially true of politicians such as Mayor Strickland who, rather than diffusing outbreaks, use them to display the power they wield over impoverished minority citizens.
Most Americans are aware that urban life for impoverished Blacks and other minorities is not easy. For instance, poverty, adverse race relations, crime and violence, joblessness, fewer positive shopping experiences, and fewer cultural experiences all prevail in urban areas.
For decades, law enforcement has been evolving into a combative, militant mission. The men and women who have vowed to protect all citizens have now adopted “Us against them” or “We need to teach them a lesson” attitudes. The “We are good and they’re bad” attitude must change immediately! Memphis is a great city and to continue to be great, we must discard these archaic militant and destructive ideas and actions.
Mayor Strickland tends to lash out violently against constituents during their peaceful protests against undue and unnecessary police force. Black and other minorities attempts to encourage city leaders to focus their attention on them and hear them voice their concerns are usually met with lashouts that are in total opposition to the Constitution of the United States. The attached reveals how flagrantly Mayor Strickland violated a consent decree against protesters and possibly also violated their Constitutional rights.
The fact is, many law enforcement officers who have sworn to serve and protect the people, all the people, are killing unarmed young African American and other minority men and women all over America. All Americans, but especially Blacks and other minorities, should be suspicious of any incident resulting in death that occurs between citizens and law enforcement officers.
The prevailing attitude towards African Americans and other minorities seems to be “behave or be beaten, incarcerated or even killed.” .
Mayor Strickland is presently running for his 2020 re-election bid. He needs a hot-button issue and what issue can serve him better than overseeing a perpetual state of conflict and confusion between police and urban citizens?
Memphis Wireblog 
Posted on June 21, 2019 by Memphis Wireblog
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