OpEd

EDITORIAL

Contee’s First Task Must Be Reducing D.C.’s Homicide Rate

2020 will be remembered for years to come in the District including its continued rise in reported homicides – 198 according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s [MPD] website. The total reflects a 19 percent increase from 2019’s 166 homicides. Even more, the nearly 200 homicides mark a 16-year high for D.C.

So, while much attention has rightfully been given to the ongoing health pandemic, it’s impossible to ignore the surge in D.C.’s homicide rate which had been steadily declining for a 25-year period until 2015 when death totals spiked and then began to annually rise.

In fact, 2020 counts as the deadliest year in the District in over a decade based on data from MPD.

But what concerns us even more is how the homicide rate points to a tale of two “cities.” MPD data indicates that in the city’s reported deaths, communities east of the river – that is in wards 7 and 8 – accounted for more than half of all homicides.

We’ll take the word of several DCist reports which point to the summer as the time when homicides began to precariously surge after reaching 100 in July and breaking 170 in November.

What remains unclear – an explanation for these deaths.

Just days ago, we applauded the appointment of veteran MDP officer Robert Contee who took over as Mayor Muriel Bowser’s choice for MPD’s new police chief.

Tragically, before Contee had time to settle into his new position, the District would report its first homicide in 2021: the death of a 22-year-old woman killed early Sunday morning by an errant bullet. Allegedly, as the woman, Kaailyah Rainey and her mother were returning to their home along Wheeler Road in Southeast, a furry of shots rang out – an estimated 40 in total. The mother attempted to avoid the melee, driving several blocks away to Wahler Place. But her daughter would die after being taken to a nearby hospital.

The police say they’re treating her death as a homicide but have no suspects at this time nor do they know what events may have led up to the shootings.

Our community is already overwhelmed with the disproportionate number of deaths related to COVID-19, unemployment and potential evictions. Now, we fear that the mental and emotional well-being of Blacks throughout the District will be further endangered due to this surge in homicides.

We look to Chief Contee to take this assault on our lives as his first priority. But we realize that it will take a village if he and the rest of the MPD are to be successful.

Ironically, Blacks often criticize others for “snitching” on those who commit heinous deeds like the murder of an innocent by-stander – until the person who’s murdered is someone they love.

The time to take back Chocolate City is long overdue. WI

Another Trump Super-Spreader Event Comes to D.C.

On the eve of the Electoral College votes by the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, Dec. 6, an estimated 30,000 Trump supporters returned to the nation’s capital to demand lawmakers ignore the voters’ choice of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the new President and Vice President of the U.S. They came to protest the duty of the Congress members to declare the winner of the presidential election and present a threatening show of force in hopes of persuading Congress to ignore its Constitutional mandate.

Many of them came armed with weapons and knowingly ignored D.C.’s stringent gun laws. Others went with the mal intent to ignore public safety by aggressively attacking others and damaging public property.

They ignored warnings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to maintain social distancing. They continuously and consistently ignore calls by the nation’s top medical experts to keep social distancing and wear a mask.

With all they attempted to ignore during a national pandemic, they are responsible for promoting hate and violence while holding another super-spreader event putting even more D.C. residents and the nation at risk of contracting the deadly COVID-19

Happy 2021!

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to a better, more prosperous 2021. I will continue to do the things that work for me and push myself to get rid of the waste. I look forward to more stories from The Washington Informer, especially your different supplements, which are my favorite!

Denny Lampkin

Washington, D.C.

virus.

Once again, we must commend Mayor Muriel Bowser for her steadfast attempts to keep D.C. residents safe by closing down venues that were continuing to serve despite the COVID-19 pandemic and by discouraging residents from going downtown for any reason on the day of the protest. She issued a warning to the protestors not to bring their guns into the District, and she confidently confirmed that D.C.’s well-trained MPD is well-equipped to handle the protestors and coordinate federal support if needed. “We

TO THE EDITOR

A Proud Moment for D.C.

I'm glad to hear that the leader of the "Proud Boys" has been arrested for stealing from that historic Black church and vandalizing property. Our great city has to stand up to these people who think they can come here and act a fool because they're so filled with hate. Kudos to the city's leadership.

Janeata Parker

Washington, D.C.

will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents, or cause destruction in our city,” she warned. And, she stuck to her words.

Yet, thanks to Donald Trump, District residents and the nation were exposed to voices of hatred and hopelessness, spewing from the mouths of protestors, who may have unknowingly spewed droplets containing COVID-19 into the air at another one of his super-spreader events.

We welcome the day when super-spreader events, and its host, are behind us. WI

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

Julianne Malveaux

We Were Guinea Pigs for the U.S. — It Isn't Just Tuskegee

People who don't know Black history have probably heard more about the Tuskegee syphilis "experiment" in the past month than they have in their whole lives. The chattering class has used the debacle of allowing hundreds of Black men live with untreated syphilis to monitor its effects to explain the resistance that many Black Americans have to accepting the COVID-19 vaccination, thus imperiling the possibility of "herd" immunity.

It wasn't just the men, enticed into "Anyone with decent vision can see from the parking-lot video of the shooting that the claim that Loehmann was able to repeatedly warn Tamir warrants incredulity. In less than two seconds, Garmback screeches to a halt in the cold mud, Loehmann pops out of the passenger door, and he fires the shot that eventually killed Tamir. He'd have had to be speaking like one

It is way past the time for serious Black folks in this country to resolve that in 2021 we are focused all of our attention on identifying, analyzing and building upon our strengths as individuals and as a group.

This will do much more to protect our economic, cultural, political, educational, health, legal, technological and self-defense interests than using the study with the promise of lifetime health care, who suffered. Dozens of wives were also infected because they didn't know their partners had syphilis. At least nineteen children were born with syphilis because they were untreated. There was no known treatment for syphilis when the study, which was supposed to last just six months, began in 1934. Penicillin was the widely accepted remedy in the late 1940s, but none of the men in the study were offered it. The study is referred to as the "Tuskegee" experiment, but it really needs to be called the United States Public Health Service experiment. Our government of those speed readers dictating legal disclaimers on radio advertisements. However, despite that common-sense view of things, Fishman and Reddick reportedly encountered tension within the DOJ. You see, they had to write a memo requesting a grand jury to subpoena documents and testimony from witnesses, and that memo needed approval from a deputy assistant attorney general who works alongside Trump political appointees within the DOJ. And no one responded. … Quite simply, the DOJ let the clock run out on our meetings to tell can-you-top-this horror stories about the latest actions of white supremacists. If we build upon our strengths, it will send a clear message to those whose goal is to keep us in a permanent position of second-classhood.

Contrary to popular propaganda and beliefs of our enemies and, unfortunately, too many Black people, we do have strengths. Only a strong group of people could have survived the physical and psychological attacks initiated and funded this abomination and used Tuskegee as its base for this putrid study.

This was not the first time, though, and it is not likely to be the last when Black bodies were experimented on for white comfort. During enslavement, "doctor" often purchased enslaved people to experiment on them. After Reconstruction, when Black folks died from being overworked, often their relatives were not told of their demise, but nearby medical schools used their bodies to teach medical students about anatomy.

It was legal in 32 states to sterilize Black women (and others considered

Marc H. Morial

accountability for two cops involved in killing an unarmed Black child." — Jamil Smith, Rolling Stone

The decision not to charge the officers who shot and killed a Black child on sight encapsulates everything that is wrong with the Department of Justice under the current administration. Once again, it has protected the powerful at the expense of the powerless. Once again, it has failed to seek justice for a Black life.

Tamir Rice was a child playing with a toy. It would have taken Timothy

A. Peter Bailey

that have been inflicted on us in a basically white supremacist society.

That's why one of the first things we should do is put together a national conference during which we will have divisions in the above listed arenas of economics, culture, politics, health, education, legal, technology and self-defense. Each division would be required to come up with plans of action in their field that will advance our group's interests in their particular field of action. If a hostile move "marginal" without their permission. In Alabama, in 1973, the Reif sisters, aged 12 and 14, were involuntarily sterilized in a federally funded clinic. An Essence magazine writer broke the story with the help of a whistleblower. The offending physician seemed to think the girls were mentally deficient and incapable of caring for the children they had not yet conceived. That was their decision to make, not his.

Between 1929 and 1976, at least 7,000 people were sterilized in North Carolina by judicial order. Thousands more were sterilized by order of local judges. The state set aside $10 million in 2014 to pay some of the oppressive Loehmann and Frank Garmback only a few seconds to ascertain that he posed no threat to anyone. But they didn't bother to spend even those few seconds because all they needed to see was the color of Tamir's skin to decide he was a threat.

They didn't even bother to stop their car completely. As Judge Ronald B. Adrine wrote in his ruling that probable cause existed to charge the officers, "This court is thunderstruck by how quickly this event turned deadly. … the Zone Car containing is made by proponents of white supremacy against us in their arena they should be able to provide us with concrete guidance on how to deal with it.

Believe me, I am well aware that what I am proposing is not going to happen overnight. But I do believe that there are enough serious Black folks in this country to begin laying the groundwork in 2021.

I share the belief expressed by the great journalist-historian Lerone Bennett Jr., who noted, "Given the way state policy victims, but many don't qualify because they lack documentation. Those sterilized were treated as guinea pigs.

J. Marion Sims, known as the "father of gynecology," perpetuated some of the more chilling experiments on Black women's bodies. He performed sterilizations, unnecessary C-sections, and more on Black women and worked on them until he could perfect the technique to use on white women. Sims performed many of the painful operations without anesthesia. In other cases, Black women

Guest Columnist

Tamir Rice Decision Shows Trump DOJ Again Protecting the Powerful

MALVEAUX Page 37 Patrol Officers Loehmann and Garmback is still in the process of stopping when Rice is shot."

The toy gun wasn't even in Tamir's hands when the officers shot him. The video "does not appear to show him making any furtive movement prior to or at the moment he is shot," Judge Adrine wrote. Tamir's arms "do not appear to be raised or outstretched."

A grand jury declined to indict the officers in 2015, calling the kill-

Guest Columnist

Black Folks Should Focus On Our Group's Strengths

MORIAL Page 37 we are forced to live in this society, the miracle is not that so many families are broken, but that so many are still together. That so many Black fathers are still at home. That so many Black mothers are still raising good children. It is the incredible toughness and resilience in Black people that gives me hope."

Those of us who share Brother Lerone's hope most definitely must walk the walk in 2021.

WI

Guest Columnist

Hope for the New Year

We are beginning the new year during very perilous times for children and for our nation and world, but in the face of overwhelming challenges and threats to safety and well-being, this is also a new chance to fight back against depression, fear and despair and determine to keep pushing forward. I share again an adapted version

There was little to celebrate or be happy about in 2020, particularly for Black America. So, as the calendar turns to 2021 and many wish friends, family and associates a happy new year, we'll place an overwhelming emphasis on the "new year" portion of the sentiment.

The year began with devastating news as the world learned that a helicopter carrying NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, had crashed into a mountainside just outof Madeleine L'Engle's poem "First Coming" (used by permission in my book "Guide My Feet" as published in "Imagining the Word"):

God did not wait till the world was ready, till … nations were at peace.

God came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release.

God did not wait for the perfect side of Los Angeles. Bryant, his young daughter, the pilot and six other passengers were all killed in the accident.

In unfortunate, but anticipated news, 2020 headlines continued to report on two areas of disproportionate death tolls for Blacks: Police killings of unarmed African Americans and the novel coronavirus pandemic, which disproportionately affected communities of color.

While some might argue that detecting a silver lining over the past 365 days is difficult, there was good news.

The outgoing year saw many firsts and accomplishments for African Americans, including many from the National Newspaper Publishers As-

Marian Wright Edelman

time.

God came when the need was deep and great.

God dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine.

God did not wait till hearts were pure.

In joy God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.

To a world like ours, of anguished shame

Stacy M. Brown

sociation (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America.

Presidential candidates Joe Biden, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg all sat for interviews with NNPA President and CEO Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Chavis, a civil rights icon, also helped raise the profile of the Black Press when he launched "The Chavis Chronicles," a national television show with American Public Television.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation continued a campaign with the NNPA to raise awareness about education barriers for students of color and bridging the learning gap for minorities. That partnership has proven even more vital during the pandemic.

Askia Muhammad

God came, and God's Light would not go out.

God came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.

In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our

The United States and much of the world underwent an awakened awareness that Black Lives Matter now more than ever in 2020.

Following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others, major sports leagues, corporations and others began acknowledging their responsibility in the fight for social justice and civil rights.

Led by LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA players exerted their popularity and authority by successfully demanding that the league honor the Black Lives Matter movement.

Because of the players' actions, the NBA opened its arenas to use as polling places and the league agreed to way, they deserve to still win, even though they lost, badly.

Funny thing, though. There are some Republicans in high office who are not Trumpsters, who are not willing to entertain the delusional lie that The Donald has been peddling, really since the day he took office — that he's destined to rule, that the old rules don't apply to him, and that there is no power which can check him.

The folks who have stood up and said no to the attempted fascist coup de état, are the judges and local offipain,

God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

These words are once again a reminder and encouragement for all we must and will do in the new year. As the holy season comes to a close and the time for new beginnings emerges, let's commit to moving forward together with purpose, determination and hope.

Guest Columnist

Remembering the Silver Linings of 2020

WI promote social justice and civic engagement.

Major League Baseball and the National Football League also instituted initiatives with promises to do more for minorities at all levels.

The Google News Initiative (GNI) Innovation Challenge awarded Black Voice News (BVN) $300,000 in support of "Save the Black Press," a bold call to action to innovate revenue and sustainability solutions at Black news organizations through the creation of the Data Access and Content Discovery Hub (DACDH).

Askia-At-Large

Trump Republicans are Shameles

some are willing to kill other people these Trumpsters are proud of themin this country in order to retain him selves for holding on to such views. in office. They want the country to be like it These Trumpsters insist that be- used to be when Black folks would

Donald J. Trump's America is a cause he got more votes than any step off the sidewalk to permit White place I don't want to live in. other sitting president, he should re- folks to pass. This cannot end well.

What's worse is that there are es- main in office. The only thing is that There are two dueling ideals in this timates that more than 55 million the other candidate got even more dystopian America. One side played of the 74 million people who voted votes than he did. They say — and by the rules, even as the other side for the impeached, philandering, this is the troubling part — that the erected every obstacle imaginable inveterate liar who claims that the votes from their opponents shouldn't along the way, and they won. But the presidential election was stolen from count. What's worse, they're not cheaters are now willing to openly dehim are willing to go along with his ashamed to admit it. clare that because they are white, and dangerous, treasonous delusion, and Like the fascists in Nazi Germany, accustomed to everything going their

BROWN Page 37 cials who are not auditioning for roles in the Trump fantasy show. More than 50 federal judges — including three appointed by The Donald to the Supreme Court, and dozens appointed by him to lower courts — have laughed him out of court because there is no evidence to support his baseless claims of voter fraud.

These judges, you see, have lifetime appointments, and no reason to hope for future favor from the Trumpsters.

ASKIA Page 38