I first read this about this on boingboing. It only took a second of seeing this young officer when I began to wonder about him; it was that skinhead haircut that started it all for me. This police officer kicked a pregnant woman? Isn't that assault?
But it was when I followed the link from boingboing that I really began to wonder what was going on. That link contains the picture above, of a very pregnant black woman with a very black and blue belly where she had been stomped. O, now, it seems the picture is getting clearer: white skinhead officer assaults pregnant black woman.
What caused the assault? It seems that Raven Dozier had the audacity to ask De Kalb, Georgia Police Officer Jerad Wheeler why he was tasering her brother. Officer Wheeler, unable to recognize that Raven was 9 months pregnant, responded with "a front push-kick to the abdomen, as he was taught to do at the academy." Just following orders, you could say. That was a common explanation after the Holocaust, too.
Understandably, Raven was at a loss as to what provoked Officer Wheeler. "I think he really just didn't want me asking him any questions, questioning him, and when I did question him is when he kicked me," she tells Atlanta's Channel 2 Action News. "I was upset because I couldn't believe an officer would kick me, with my child in my stomach."
Officer Wheeler's misconduct is egregious and outrageous. How could he have thought that kicking a pregnant woman was within the course of his duties? Perhaps it was because of what happened next. Raven Dozier filed a complaint with the De Kalb, Georgia Police Internal Affairs Unit. They never investigated. Then, four supervisors and an internal affairs detective signed off that Officer Wheeler's use of force met departmental policy.
Apparently, De Kalb has a lot of problems, not the least of which is $90 Million dollars missing from the Recorders Court without any investigation, and police officers who "hang their heads in shame."
So then is no wonder when one considers how a pregnant woman was physically assaulted by one of their own, despite the pledge made on their official website: "As role models, we value respect, honoring the rights and dignity of each person we are called upon to serve. Our Motto: Treat others as you would want to be treated."
6 comments:
Of course Officer Wheeler's use of force met departmental policy.
smh
Haven't you heard? It's open season as far as disrespecting and abusing black Americans goes.
This can't last much longer. I can already sense the blowback that'll come from all this and it's gonna come back something fierce.
There is a mean spirit on the lose, not only in Alabama, but in America, and that is what makes this election so important".~ Alabama State Sanders Hank Sanders(D) in response to CNN's Anderson Cooper after being asked what evidence he had Alabama republicans wanted to bring back slavery and Jim Crow
See "Jim Folso$ lost, blame Hank Sanders" on this blog for reference.
Republican'ts believe America is no longer racist - we elected an African-American President.
Bad behavior is no longer blamed on racism, prejudice, and bigotry. In fact, as "minorities" achieve equal rights, the recipient of discrimination is now the white people of America. If this continues, the white minority will be subject to the whims of the new majority just as the white majority did all kinds of bad things to minorities.
Alabama Democrats will shake their heads as this fear is used to reduce funding for Medicaid, teachers, education, infrastructure, nutrition and all discretionary Federal funding - while the rich get richer.
I don't diminish what happened to Raven, but in another sense, despite how outrageous it is, Officer Wheeler's actions display the larger problem: they are condoned by his employer.
Yellowdog speaks truth to consider. It's fear that "today's" minorities aren't "up to it."
Really? That fear exists after watching decades of perseverance in the pursuit of community and accomplishment.
Remember that old saying: "Nothing succeeds like success?"
Yellowdog nailed it in saying that "this fear is used to reduce funding for Medicaid, teachers, education, infrastructure, nutrition and all discretionary Federal funding - while the rich get richer."
For them, it see,s a money struggle. But, it's really about not kicking humanities in the gut.
Comment from my inbox:
redeye blog-
Thanks for your article: "Officer Stomped Pregnant Woman; No Discipline"
Have you read the comments on this police forum? http://goo.gl/5ZkDZ
If these are Massachusetts officers posting- the comments are
psychotic and hate filled. You can't miss the huge graphic depicting
violence against women:
"I'm sure she continued with her Fred Sanford impression and got
herself so worked up that she brought on early labor."
LGriffin, Tuesday at 5:37 PM
"Hit that b**ch so hard someone else sh*t themself.. Epic..."
Deuce, Tuesday at 10:43 PM #11
The officer comments were in response to pregnant Raven Dozier being
kicked by a Georgia Police Officer.
A similar reaction took place when New Orleans's Officer Jason Giroir
posted derogatory comments about the Zimmerman/Martin case.
There's a disturbing difference. The N.O. officer aimed his words at
Trayvon Martin. Look at the Mass. Police forum and see the violent
graphic aimed at all women. Some of the posts are directed at the
innocent baby as well.
I've written several newspapers and blogs about the police forum
comments. There's no response yet. I hope someone can look into this
and bring attention to an outrageous display of Police hatred and
racism.
Post a Comment