Dr. Boyce Watkins: Did the Police Cover Up the Murder of Raymond Robair?

July 30, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, finance, syracuse professors, syracuse university · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World 

Raymond Robair died nearly five years ago. It appeared for years that the officers who arrived on the scene tried to help him. Now, some are wondering if they made the entire story up.
Officers Melvin Williams and Matthew Dean Moore stated that while they were patrolling the streets, they saw a man who was "stumbling and holding his upper chest area." They then said that Robair collapsed and that they drove him to the hospital, where he died. A pair of broken ribs punctured his spleen and liver, and the officers were cleared by an internal police investigation, partially substantiated by the coroner’s report.
The greater problem though is that there are several residents in the area who dispute the account of the police officers. Several witnesses say they saw the officers punch and kick Robair. Also, an independent autopsy requested by the family ruled the death a homicide.

 

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Dr. Boyce: Cleveland Fans Behaving Like Disgruntled and Insecure Ex-Husbands

July 30, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, black scholars · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World 

There has been considerable speculation regarding whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers should retire the jersey of LeBron James. After James’ disappointing decision to leave Cleveland to start a new life in a larger, more vibrant city with better weather, some Cleveland fans are behaving like disgruntled ex-husbands, angry that things didn’t work out.

My question in response to those who wonder whether the Cavs should retire LeBron’s jersey is this: “Why wouldn’t you?”

 

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Dr Boyce: 13-Year Olds Should Not be Homicide Targets

July 30, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, finance, syracuse professors, syracuse university · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World

Theresa Lumpkin was, until yesterday, the mother of 13-year old Robert Freeman Jr. of Chicago. Her tenure as his parent ended with the young boy was shot and killed on the South Side of Chicago in what many believe to be a case of mistaken identity.
Witnesses say that the murder was deliberate, as the gunman shot the young boy multiple times.
"My baby was just lying there,” said Lumpkin. "He tried to get up. He tried to fight for his mama. He tried to fight for his life.”
Neighbors who saw the incident did not want their names to be published.
"I was running out [of] the door to say, ‘Stop shooting that baby,’" one neighbor said.
Robert had 22 bullet holes in his body, according to doctors. The people of the community say that he was apparently targeted because he had the same complexion, height and hairstyle of another boy who was the actual target. Police are investigating whether the shooting was due to a dispute over drugs or money.
This was the fourth teen shooting in the area this week.

 

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Dr. Boyce Watkins and Harvard Prof. Charles Ogletree Talk with Al Sharpton about President Obama’s Policies

July 29, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, syracuse professors · Comment 

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Boyce Watkins and Charles Ogletree Appear on Al Sharpton’s Hour of Power

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Rev. Jesse Jackson Issues Statement to Dr. Boyce about the Settlement in the Sean Bell Shooting

July 29, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, syracuse professors, syracuse university · Comment 

 

To hear what other black public figures had to say, please click here.

 

The family of Sean Bell has stood tall during this tragic and difficult ordeal and for that they should be commended.  Rev. Sharpton and the National Action Network should also be commended as well for their continuous pursuit to seek justice.  I continue to pray for the families of Sean Bell, Joseph Guzmen and Trent Benefield.

The pattern of police shooting unarmed innocent black men is becoming all too common.  However, it magnifies symptoms of a deeper problem of insensitivity and detachment within police departments across the country.   

Today it is clearer than ever that we need vigorous action by local and state authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce civil rights laws, EEOC, contract compliance and affirmative action. I hope the President and his administration will address these issues head-on to deal with issues surrounding equal protection under the law for all Americans.

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Dr. Boyce Watkins: Prominent Black Leaders Speak on the Sean Bell Settlement

July 28, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, finance, syracuse professors, syracuse university · Comment 

From Dr. Boyce Watkins:  Most of you know what I think about the Sean Bell shooting and subsequent settlement.  But I reached out to a few of my friends to get their takes on the situations.  You can read their comments below:

 

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson:  I am glad that the City of New York will pay the family of Mr. Bell – and Mr. Guzman and Mr. Benefield – for the egregious injustice of Bell’s death and the shootings of Guzman and Benefield by undercover cops.  The Bell murder highlights the need for the end to racial profiling of minorities and police brutality against blacks.  While the condition of the settlement precludes admission of wrongdoing, we all know that vicious racist practices often have lethal consequences for minority citizens.  I pray this settlement helps the families and reminds us of the need for true justice.

 

Rev. Al Sharpton: National Action Network and I have said from the moment we were called the day Sean Bell was killed and Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield were wounded that we would stand by the family no matter what. Nicole Paultre Bell has to labor to raise two children with no father and to provide for them and Joseph Guzman still carries bullets in his body and may never be able to work a regular job. Trent Benefield carries scars for life.

The settlement must all provide for their families but this in no way mitigates or repairs the permanent damage done to them and the pain it has caused them forever nor does it diminish the outrage in the community. We will always pursue justice for the family of Sean Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield."

 

 

 

Dr. Julianne Malveaux:  What is the price of a life?  The $7 million settlement in the Sean Bell case offers relief to an aggrieved family and rights a wrong.  It also raises issues about the ways that law enforcement personnel interact with the African American community.  Bell was at the cusp of an exciting life, on the eve of his wedding day. He should not have died, and the life in this settlement caution for each of us to take care of all of us and to be cautious and careful about the meaning of life.  Both bullets and assumptions killed Sean Bell. Neither assault is acceptable

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Black Farmers Still Wait for Compensation

July 27, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, syracuse professors, syracuse university · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action 

Black farmers across the United States have been the victims of systematic discrimination for several decades. This has been proven in court, and the United States Department of Agriculture has agreed to pay a $1.25 billion dollar settlement. What is saddest about the settlement, however, is that Congress has not yet approved the funds. This is another form of racism that the farmers must face, since their justice is being consistently denied by government officials who are insistent upon remaining stubborn.

The USDA came under increased scrutiny recently in the unjust firing of Shirley Sherrod. I am hopeful that the sloppy handling of the Sherrod incident is not indicative of the way the USDA does business. In fact, groups have been calling for the firing of the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. At the very least, the way Ms. Sherrod has been treated should be a lightning rod to bring the plight of black farmers to the surface of our collective conscience.

 

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Why Would the Cavs Owner Call LeBron a Coward?

July 9, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

The world stopped spinning for just a few minutes last night, as it was announced that LeBron James will now become a member of the Miami Heat. The move didn’t surprise hardly anyone, but everyone seemed to keep hope that perhaps he might choose their city. I am sure James lost sleep over this move, as the humble athlete seems like the kind of guy who remains very loyal to his friends. The problem is that some seem to mistake his kindness for weakness.
In an open letter about the signing, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert calls LeBron James’ move "a shocking act of disloyalty." He even goes further to say that LeBron’s decision to move to Miami was "the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn."
Gilbert, give me a break. Are you a businessman who understands how this all works, or are you a whining three-year old who gets angry because he doesn’t get his own way? The truth is that LeBron had to make a business decision, and you are showing your own immaturity and lack of loyalty by bashing a guy who gave you seven years of his life. He should never have been in your city in the first place, since we all knew that LeBron’s talent has always been meant for a bigger stage. In fact, LeBron gave up at least $100 million dollars in endorsement deals by staying in the city of Cleveland.

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Woman Eats Her Child’s Brain? Mental Health and Criminal Justice Systems Failed Her

July 7, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, finance, syracuse professors · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

This week, a woman in Texas cut off the head of her three week old baby and ate part of his brain. What’s even more shocking about this terrible story is that she won’t get any jail time for it.

Otty Sanchez, a 34-year old, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of her child, Scott Wesley Buchholz-Sanchez. Prosecutors accepted the plea deal after learning that the woman thought that the devil made her kill her child.

The baby was found in a bedroom with three of his toes chewed off, his head severed and his brain ripped out. Police are saying that the child’s mother ate the boy’s toes and a piece of the brain before stabbing herself in the chest and throat. In the 911 call made by her sister, Sanchez can be heard in the background screaming, “I didn’t wanna do it! He told me to!"

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Why Lebron James Needs to Go to Miami

July 7, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, black scholars · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

I wanted to make a quick note on why LeBron James should and probably will end up playing for the Miami Heat.  Now that his homeboys Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade have decided to play together, LeBron has a choice of either joining the club or fighting it.  While Chicago, New York and New Jersey provide viable options for James, the truth is that James probably sees the kind of empire he could build in Miami with two great players who are equally committed to winning. 

Chris Bosh reportedly gave up $30 million to play in Miami, which argues that he is a man of principle.  Wade is also a proven winner, known for going above and beyond when necessary to find a way to win.  These are the guys that LeBron would want to play with, and these are NOT the guys he’d like to play against.

My prediction?  LeBron ends up in Miami and a dynasty begins.

Here are a couple of other possibilities:

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Black Female Unemployment Drops Big Time

July 4, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, finance, syracuse professors, syracuse university · Comment 

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Black Women Get Good News about Unemployment Again

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Press Rewind — Hollywood’s Racial Miscastings, 30 Ways to Sign LeBron + More

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Dave Chappelle’s Strange Behavior on an Airplane: What’s Up Dave?

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Rick Ross Responds to Lawsuit Filed by Drug Dealer Ricky Ross

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Snapshot: Janet Jackson Shows Up & Out At 2010 Essence Music Festival


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Dave Chappelle’s Odd Behavior: How it’s Destroying His Brand

July 3, 2010 · Posted in african american scholars, african american speakers, black scholars, finance · Comment 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices

What’s the deal with Dave Chappelle? According to TMZ, Chapelle was reportingly acting strange on a private jet, so much so that the jet had to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh. Their source is stating that the flight was headed from New Jersey to Ohio and that Chappelle "freaked out" refusing to put on his seatbelt.

The source also says that Chappelle repeatedly walked into the cockpit, asking the pilot how much longer the flight would be, and even grabbed the pilot’s arms. That is when it was allegedly determined that Chappelle was a safety risk, and the flight was grounded.
TMZ then claims that after landing, Chappelle checked into a hotel. However, sources at the hotel are claiming that Dave told the employees that he wanted to rent a car to go back to Ohio, but that he didn’t remember where he lived.

I’m not sure what the deal is with Dave Chappelle, one of the most talented and privileged comedians in America. He had the world at his feet, with a hit show and a $50 million contract to do what he does best. It does appear, however, that there is something inside Chappelle that simply can’t handle fame.

 

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