First, let me give my condolences to the family of Donte D. Shannon, who was gunned down by the Racine City Police, I cannot begin to imagine their pain. It is my most sincere prayer that they will be able to find the strength to get through this most difficult time.
As the Black community starts to come together to address this situation we need to keep in mind that this could happen to anyone of us simply because we are Black, that’s just the way it is. It matters not that Racine has a Black police chief, for there is little he can do, and while it is true, that he has an important title and position, whites still rule the day.
It has been said by those who have viewed their son’s body that he was shot many times over, Questions for the chief: 1. Does he understand that the murder of Donte is viewed, by Black folks, as a use of excessive force? 2. Just how many bullets does it take to kill a Black person? As we await the facts pertaining to this homicide from law enforcement, a studious inquirer would ask, just who’s facts are we going to receive? Unfortunately for the family and friends of the victim, and perhaps fortunately for the authorities, there is no official video of the event.
Before this tragic but avoidable incident, the majority of our city’s Black population appeared lethargic or anesthetized to the fact that they have been relegated to a third-class status; however, ironically it took the death of one of our young Black brothers, at the hands of the police, to make us come together as a people! Maybe out of this tumultuous and chaotic situation some effective form of Black leadership will emerge to help us fight the powers, that on a continuum, over decades, have purposely and methodically designed a society of covert racism, causing irreputable harm to the life chances of our people. Let’s face it, Blacks pathetic existence in this city is depressing, because as we continue to endure hardships created by a myriad of unending social ills, the local white economy continues to grow, without any intention of inclusion for people of color.
I think most folks will agree, the last thing this city needs is a racially charged civil disruption; however, seeing as how the bare facts of racial injustice are quickly surfacing on the horizon, if appropriate efforts for inclusion are not placed on the city fathers socio-economic agenda, the community could be headed for a period of social unrest.
Chester Todd’s One Black Man’s Opinion OBMO
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