Pam Sohn points out in an op-Ed in today’s Times Free Press the racial disparity of two men arrested for gun possession at two different demonstrations downtown. Were this a perfect world, Trevan Young would have engaged with the policeman who asked him to stop and talk. The other man, drunk and with loaded weapons, did the opposite to Mr Young. He followed all commands.
The point to be made now that Ms. Sohn does not make is that police and district attorneys have a task to complete to the fullest. That is to make an example of people who do not comply, submit, or accept dominance in an engagement with law enforcement. It is simple to keep hands in the open, say yes or no followed by sir and the outcome is what most desire. Of course I am white so I can’t really engage with being stopped while black. I have still with my grey hair had a cop at my car door with his hand on his gun.
I did work in a black majority country one time. Being one of two white men in a sea of people on market day was no big deal to me. The white guy who came to work from Indiana saw the place differently. He panicked, got the next flight home. His problem, he was scared, he’d never been a minority and feared for his life for some reason. My time in Trinidad was excellent, I got to enjoy Carnival at the Queens Park Savannah and still want to go back.
But back to the issue at hand, a sober black man goes to a demonstration legally carrying. He gets arrested, his house is searched, his car and gun in it are impounded. The white guy drunk, gets arrested, his weapons are impounded, his apartment, not sure if it got searched. His car was not mentioned in news stories. His bond is $3,000. Mr Young’s bond is $8,000.. At the very least this man with fear issues medicated by alcohol should have the court edict abstinence. Drugs and guns don’t work together at all.
Mr. Young needs to have charges dismissed. He also needs to have an earnest conversation with the cops who “handled” him about engaging with police. That said, law enforcement and the American court systems have to get past the exemplification system of retribution disguised as justice.
The drag here is there is a middle ground. A bunch of us are really upset with law enforcement in the collective and law enforcement is tasked with keeping us all safe. Coming to a concealed carry encounter is an exercise in deescalation from both sides. Please read that twice. Would you want to converse with someone you know is carrying yet not willing to talk? A cousin of mine led a squad of fellow soldiers in Vietnam. He said it was the most civilized group he worked with. All were well armed and equally respectful.
The man who represents Mr. Young I heard in a radio story a few weeks ago. For those with time to listen, check out wnycstudios podcasts - the writing on the wall segment. In the more recent news story about his representation of Mr. Young, Mr. Poston makes good comments about open carry rights and wrongs with this case in point.
A point to ponder, I agree with grievances made at times about police. Especially this time with a death that woke the world. Those who demonstrate make the points well. The thing is, to march in the tradition of Ghandi or Dr. King, one has to reject all abuse, including that of fellow demonstrators defacing people or property. If you are going to call police on being silent for atrocities of fellow cops, you need to speak out to lawbreaking in your ranks. Two wrongs never equal a right. That is a major point made about nonviolent civil disobedience.
Another point few remember is the right to carry in public came forth in California with Black Panther members taking their guns to the statehouse. It was legal. One of their members I heard speak in the mid 70’s Eldridge Cleavor said, “If you’re not part of the solution you are part of the problem.” He also said he left this country for better lands, lived in Cuba for a bit. And he very much believed in returning this is the finest country to be a citizen of.
Just a few days ago I saw the quote “Civilization is a race between education and catastrophe.” What part carrying a gun in public has to do with education I am trying to learn, I know it has a big hand in catastrophe. So I hope both recent arrestees learn something from this. Change comes from within. Acceptance is key to moving forward with issues and resentment is toxic.
Mr. Young, McCracken Poston is a wise man with a good long history. You have hired possibly the only lawyer in America who had to go to court with skunk aroma on his clothes and his files. I hope the skunk went free. I know his client did.
Prentice Hicks