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Opinion: Which Side Are You On Rev. Maupin?

Posted On 09 Jan 2015
By : Tremaine Jasper
Comments: 3
Tag: civil rights, phoenix, police, police brutality

Reverend Jarrett MaupinSubmitted by Tia Oso
Black Alliance for Just Immigration

This week Fox 10 presented a purported “news” feature on law enforcement use of force featuring anchor Troy Hayden and self-proclaimed civil rights activist Jarrett Maupin (see the news report below).

This shameless media stunt presented the message that those who are critical of police violence and brutality lack understanding and need to “walk in the shoes” of law enforcement to change their perspective. Far from fair and balanced, the story completely left out the overwhelming and statistically supported evidence of police violence in communities, presenting instead a staged and sensationalized fluff piece.

Indeed, Maupin exhibited a change of heart following his crime-fighting field trip with Fox and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office; promising to take his message to the community that people should comply with the police “for their own safety.” The entire premise of the story was false, as untrained civilians presented with orchestrated scenarios do not compare to trained law enforcement recruits and very dangerous as it perpetuates the media stereotype that unarmed civilians killed by law enforcement presented a threat and thus, their killings are justified. This is deplorable and irresponsible. Issues of police terror are not the result of community noncompliance, and are in fact a symptom of deep systemic issues that must be addressed.

While I am appalled by the media pandering, I cannot say that I am surprised. The story was immediately applauded by the corrupt and law-breaking Joe Arpaio, himself a media hound and perpetrator of racial profiling and human rights violations.

The #BlackLivesMatter movement has gained international attention and for media personalities looking for conservative leaning story angles and Al Sharpton-esque figures chasing five minutes of fame, this is an opportunity to gain notoriety. However, as a Black woman concerned with the well-being of my community and an organizer with the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, I am uncompromising in my commitment to justice.

I have experienced police violence personally am devastated at the way it is ravaging communities of color. The issue of police and community tensions and racial profiling hit home for me very recently when my nephew, Gregory Fray was sentenced to serve 5.5 years in Arizona Department of Corrections because of verbal altercation with Mesa police. He was unarmed, in full compliance with the officer at the time of the incident and was not arrested. However, the dynamics of race, poverty, oppression and the imbalance of power in police impunity with regard to human and civil rights have resulted in his incarceration. These are systemic issues that have nothing to do with personal responsibility of the victims of police violence.

Former Valley resident, co-creator of Black Lives Matter and Executive Director of Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Opal Tometi wrote for the Huffington Post titled, Staying Focused in the Movement for Racial Justice, “The energy on the street is about justice and accountability — the system of policing is what is making us unsafe. With months of protests and organizing, we are finally at a moment where more people are newly open to understanding the institutional and systemic problems with policing that hurt communities of color and disproportionately black people.”

With the movement’s surge of activity and racial justice at the forefront of American society again, to have a known, visible activist suggest individuals “comply” with the police as a solution to the epidemic of extra judicial killings of Black people every 28 hours absolves the police of responsibility. Law enforcement are supported with public funds and public trust and must be held to account, indeed to a higher standard than others.

I am not advocating disrespect for law enforcement, nor denying the serious nature of their job.

I am, however, unapologetic in naming the very real and deadly issue of racism and prejudice present throughout the U.S. justice system. These are issues at the root of American society that continue to plague us and they must be addressed until there is true justice for all people.

I felt it was imperative to speak up as a local activist and make it clear that there are more voices to be heard and that this movement does not have one appointed “leader.” Though we may not always agree, there must be principles and integrity if the movement for justice is going to succeed. There is no room for those who are focused on personal gain and glory, at the expense of the community. The only ones losing at the end of the day are the people who we claim to represent.

Tia Oso is the Arizona Organizer for Black Alliance for Just Immigration, a chair of the AZ Black/Brown Coalition and President of the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals.

FOX 10 News | fox10phoenix.com

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3 Comments

  1. KATHRYN MCKINNEY January 10, 2015 at 11:28 am Reply

    This man has worked harder than any activist in this country, most recently against police brutality….for years!!! He has made more changes and brought more charges to police officers in this state than any collection of lawyers businessmen or law makers! The way to solving our police problems will be with the INK PEN as the sword! WE HAVE TWO BILLS GOING UP FOR LEGISLATURE APPROVAL…It will not be solved with vigilantes causing an even greater war upon our community…we barely have guns! I suggest all to use their God given sense, make effort to develop relationships with law makers and get something done that will benefit our children in the long run! Waging physical war against government is ridiculous and immature to think that we could even do something of that magnitude and survive. So get over it! Your way will get us no way…in jail…gravebound…and continued bondage! Be smart, influence and
    Outsmart them! We have generations of unborn children to think about! All of this criticism is a bunch of hooplaaa! Our people need seats at the table and our children need a safe world! So what’s your solution? If you dont have any i suggest you to humble yourself, pay attention, and watch this work unfold into a promising, secure, and prosperous future for our community children and families.
    Listen to unbiased news story with Maupins perspective on why he did it….at 1 hour mark…http://www.kfyi.com/media/podcast-the-mike-broomhead-show-michaelbroomhead/mike-broomhead-show-010815-25722253/

  2. DW January 12, 2015 at 9:12 am Reply

    I agree with you and also add. when did we start killing people un arm some body explain that to me please. and what happen to the taser gun. and my conclusion these are BULLYS at one time most of them was..

  3. Pingback: Which side are you on? Maupin’s Media Mishaps. | Godivabap

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