It's an old song, but where is Jesse Jackson this week? Has anybody here, seen my old friend, Jesse.
Based upon the latest black-white hate crime in Detroit, you would think that Jesse, and Al and the gang would be here to point out all the injustices that have taken place by citizens, police, politicians, and the like.
For those living outside Southeastern Michigan, McCrabby would like to set the stage.
Based upon the latest black-white hate crime in Detroit, you would think that Jesse, and Al and the gang would be here to point out all the injustices that have taken place by citizens, police, politicians, and the like.
Jesse, where are you?. McCrabby looked up Jesse's mission statement on his Rainbow Coalition website:
Our mission is to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world.
That statement certainly seems to thrust Jesse into almost every other injustice in the world that involves racial strife. Jesse, where are you?
For those living outside Southeastern Michigan, McCrabby would like to set the stage.
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| Steve Utash |
Last Wednesday afternoon, Steve Utash, a landscaper from Roseville, MI, drove along the east side of Detroit. David Harris, a ten-year-old boy from Detroit, walked away from his father who was standing with him on the curb, and in front Utash’s truck when he was hit.
Realizing he had hit the child, Utash pulled over to see how the boy was, and whether he could offer any assistance. While stopped, a pack of a dozen thugs rushed Utash and proceeded to beat him savagely; so savagely in fact, that five days later, Utash remains in the hospital in a medically-induced coma, fighting for his life.
Jesse where are you?
Despite Utash’s pleas, the mob continued to beat him mercilessly. You might think the motive was to protect the young boy, who was injured enough to go to the hospital, with abrasions and possibly a broken leg (he'll be fine). But no, the mob, who apparently beat Utash for several minutes, and allegedly quit only after a woman attempted to intervene, then proceeded to steal his paycheck, wallet and credit cards, as well as some equipment from the truck he was driving. How did that fit in?
Jesse, where are you?
The young boy's father, was arrested, not because he had any involvement in the attack, but on other, already-existing outstanding warrants. Any red flags there?
Jesse, where are you?
Is there any good news? Yes.
- Detroit Police have said that Utash was not speeding or breaking any traffic laws, and that he did exactly what he was supposed to do during a situation like this. He is not facing any charges or citations related to this incident. That's very decent.
- Utash's family set up a fund to pay for his medical bills due (he is uninsured) and so far, it has apparently raised more than $100,000
- Detroit Police have arrested two teens, a 16 and 17, in conjunction with Wednesday’s assault. They are still on the lookout for the remainder, but are having difficulty getting cooperation from the local community in identifying the attackers. The locals are afraid of retribution. “Snitches get stitches” seems to be the thought of the day..
- Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have not shown up -- did we really need them? Did we expect them? Did we want them? Jesse, where are you?
This story is a shame; it's a horrible and unwarranted physical challenge for Steve Utash, an emotional and frustrating feeling of despair for his family, another embarrassing black eye, in a long line of embarrassing black eyes, for the City of Detroit, and a setback for decent people who want, and think it should be possible, to live in harmony and peace with everyone. Jesse, where are you?
So, Jesse didn't show up. Why not? This certainly seems like a situation where he could
"promote peace and justice."
Maybe Booker T. Washington understood it best, even before we were born. ========>
McCrabby hopes that there is justice, in this case, eventually. Steve Utash deserves it. His family deserves it. Detroit deserves it. Law-abiding people everywhere deserve it. Jesse deserves it.
Jesse, where are you?
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