New York City in a Time of Protest

            Living in New York City, people expect you to be a complete expert on everything happening in this city.  Well, considering it’s the center of the pandemic, and also, is a very visible part of the massive protests going on for racial equality in policing, people are sending me emails, texts, and phone calls worrying if we are ‘safe’ and asking what’s happening.  Here are my observations as to what is happening in Brooklyn.  To put things in context, I live within a mile of the Barclay Center, a focal point of some of the largest protests in Brooklyn.    

            On top of lock down with people in close living quarters, and the stress of rising unemployment as a result of the pandemic, here come the protests over systemic racial injustice in policing procedures.  Most New Yorkers are torn as to the protests.  There's widespread support.  Drake and I can feel an air of excitement and commitment on the streets.  At the same time, people are fearful about the virus resurging, and I think there will be a resurgence because, while some people are wearing masks during the protests, the six foot social distancing which is to pair with the masks isn't being observed.  The protesters are mostly young (20 - 30), and many of them feel invincible.  Others are the workers who have been exposing themselves daily during this entire pandemic crisis.  And, others feel the cause is too important to stay home and be silent.  Finally, most New Yorkers live a large portion of their lives in public:  the parks, the neighborhood gardens, the bars, and the restaurants.  You know how people are - they will only sacrifice so much for so long.  And, they are just tired of being pent up since their places for going out are all closed.  The protests are giving people a place to be 'out'.  

I am afraid the infection rate among the black and minority populations is going to increase even more as a result of the protests.  They live proportionately in more crowded housing, spend more time on public transit, have lesser health care, and have ‘essential’ jobs which have put them out in public or on factory floors when everyone else was sheltering in place.  As a result, the African-American and Latino communities are suffering a greater infection/death rate.  If you want the numbers, and these are facts, not opinions, check out this website

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/30/865413079/what-do-coronavirus-racial-disparities-look-like-state-by-state

Case in point that’s close to home:  Sarah and Jay went to a protest (on the fringes) staying more than six feet away from people.  The protest was in front of a church at the end of their block this past week.  They were carrying the 4’x6’ foot sign they have hanging in front of their apartment which says, END WHITE SILENCE.  They took Cedric in his stroller.  This is an example of what I'm talking about.  I had to laugh when Sarah said, "I've never been to the start of a protest before" since it brought back memories for me.  They did immediately leave as the crowd swelled, so maybe, maybe they limited their virus exposure, BUT they do feel strongly about this issue.  I respect that.  Protest is a decision of the conscience.   

I remember the protests against the Vietnam war at ultra-conservative Oklahoma University in which I participated.   It was at these protests where I first encountered the buzz swirling around an energized group of people focused together for a cause.  I also marched in a Black Power protest when I was 20.  I took Black History in the United States as a semester long 3 hour course.  I was the only white person in the room, so I actually met black people for the first time in my life.  I grew up in a segregated town.  The revelations from the history class as well as my new acquaintances invitation led me to join the Black Power protest – this was a young peoples’ protest against voter suppression, as well as job and housing discrimination.  

I wish I was out protesting today, but with the rate of viral infections in my age group that would be tantamount to suicide.  Having worked with many black colleagues as well as my final teaching job being at the 'black high school' - yes, Fort Worth was like Tulsa, with racial groups segregated by location, I can tell you I've been talking and thinking about the inequality of policing  for more than 20 years.  I heard women (other teachers) talking about how to try and protect their sons from being arrested, beaten and even killed by the police for simply driving a car in the wrong neighborhood .  They talked about teaching strategies to their children when seeing a policeman.  And, it wasn't 'the police are our friends'.  These were educated, middle class people of color - not poor, indigent, drug using low lives.  I heard my students, particularly the boys, talk about their own fears or strut around (as only a 15 year old boy with new muscles can) as to what they would do if confronted by 'cops'.  Too many stories.  Too many pinched faces of worried women for me to discount the reality of systemic police violence against blacks.

Once again, we are confronting the great American problem:  Race.  We surely do love our pecking orders, and for 300 years, the color of your skin has been one of the pecking order yardsticks in this country.  Hard to overcome that.  Some commentators are seeing these protests as the tip of a sea change in the United States.  They could represent a handing off of power to the next generation – the Millennials, whose numbers are greater than the Baby Boomers.  The Millennials have lived through the financial crisis, are living through the global warming crisis, and the corona virus pandemic.  They perceive of the Boomers and the Silent Generation as ineffectual, and unable to even address either global warming or income inequality.  It's possible these protests are quickly morphing into becoming the new generation flexing their will.  The ballot box in November will tell the tale all across America.

In New York City the vast majority of the protests have been peaceful, and are becoming more and more multi-racial.   In the afternoon (around 5:30) you can see young people (anybody under 35 to my 70 year old eyes!) heading to a protest, wearing a mask, carrying a sign, oh, and a water bottle.  The conservative media are framing the protests as if they were justifications for unlawful looting.  That’s so far from the reality.   Prior to dark - overwhelmingly peaceful in NY.  After curfew (basically at dark) which the Mayor established to draw a line between lawful gatherings and unlawful behavior, police have been much less tolerant toward protesters, and they have exhibited zero tolerance for any type of violence.    

The problem in New York is the same as in other police departments around the country.  There's a legally sanctioned lack of accountability and transparency to the public on the part of the police when misconduct is involved.  (In New York the statute that protects habitually delinquent policemen from accountability is called 50-a.  You can google it.)  When everyone starts at a level of distrust, it's very easy for any given situation to get out of hand.  That said, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan District Attorneys do not plan to prosecute protesters for breaking the curfew.  If you loot or threaten violence, you will be prosecuted.  In total in 10 days of protests in all of New York City where thousands of people have been out on the streets every evening, there have only been 2000 arrests across the five boroughs - the majority of which fall into the non-violent/non-looter category.    The majority of the police as well as the majority of the protesters have been peaceful.  To suggest otherwise is simply not factual.  I live in a neighborhood that is not white.  I don't feel unsafe.

The true dilemma is where to go from here.  How do you translate the passion for true change into reality?  On Monday, New York City starts re-opening.  On June 23rd there's a statewide primary election.  Hopefully, the passion on the streets will continue onto a path to the ballot box.