Community

OP-ED: A Teachable Moment in Baltimore

Published

9 years ago

June 4, 2015

By Richard Wembe Johnson, Folsom Prison

The obvious misconduct and negligence of the Baltimore police in the death of Freddie Gray sparked community responses of “enough already” in that historic city and other similarly situated communities throughout the nation.

These demonstrations have cost Baltimoreans millions of dollars to pay the costs of the marches and the police responses.

But these demonstrations have emboldened the mayor, state’s attorney, the congressman and the U.S. Attorney General to reassure the public that they will pursue justice regardless of the costs.

During our recent celebrations of Mother’s Day, I reflected on my own mother, but I also thought of that single Baltimore mother of six who, with the whole world watching, took out her protective nurturing instincts by snatching her son from a potential ruckus, or a clash with the police.

She in her desire to keep him from violence bopped him upside his head, regardless of who was watching. The irony of this display of courage was that she undoubtedly could have been brought up on charges of child abuse because the law and society deems such behavior as unacceptable.

Instead of rebuking her for smacking her child, she was praised by many including such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey.

I think it is very hypocritical of our society to apply a double standard when it benefits the interests of their concerns. But, clearly in the eyes of the Child Protective Services what this mother did was against the law yet, they remained silent on the matter.

Please don’t get me wrong on this matter because I fully support what that mother did to safeguard her misguided son – 110%.

That’s what mothers do at the drop of a hat. This mother’s “SHero-ic” example should be applauded and other mothers, fathers and family members should take more action in protecting their loved ones.

I don’t condone child abuse, or any semblance of it. However, I fully support families supporting one another for doing their best to protect children in the midst of a crisis.

If this mother had not taken charge to protect her only son, who knows what could’ve happened in the wake of all that chaos. But, we now know is that her young man-child made it home safely as a direct result of the actions of his mother to save her son from himself.

What she did isn’t wholeheartedly embraced, especially within cultures that truly believe that a “time-out” will suffice in all instances. The point is always trust your instinct, do what is right, not necessarily what is popular when it comes to loving and protecting your own.

Right always transcends popular policy. When faced with a crisis involving your child, you’re only wrong when you aren’t decisive and don’t take an active protective role.

Many of the incidents that occurred in Baltimore provide teachable moments for us all.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.