What one never-ending night of discomfort taught me about the quick slide into despair and desperation.
Blue Notes
More on this project highlighting examples of police misconduct.
I wrote this as a solidarity prayer for our Sunday meeting at Circle of Hope, to honor Tyquan Atkinson
I wrote this after watching the second day of the trial of Derek Chauvin. I reflect on several of the parallels between this trial and the final days in the life of Jesus the Christ. I write in explicit terms about death and violence, so if these are sensitive topics for you, please consider whether … Continue reading Centurion On Trial, Day 2
Ire over the end of an era of racist drawings.
Phil Waller and John Blanks live in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of South Philadelphia. While celebrating a neighbor on his way to college at their block party, a series of events unfolded that led to an excessive showcase of police power. Early Experiences: Phil and John had different formative experiences and beliefs about police. … Continue reading Phil and John
In addition to the night of his neighborhood block party, Phil has had other negative experiences with police. Hear those stories now. Fit the Profile: Phil is stopped by police in Center City Philadelphia looking for a suspect who is nothing like him, except that they both have dark skin. Followed: In high school, Phil … Continue reading Phil Waller
Rob, who wished to be anonymous for this project, grew up in North Philadelphia, in a Latino family. From stories he heard from his family members, he learned to be wary of the otherwise friendly presentation of police that he was learning in school. Soon, his own experiences would confirm his family's warnings. Early Experiences: … Continue reading Rob
Recently, an article by Ronald G. Fryer found no statistical differences between White, Black,or Hispanic individuals in the use of lethal force by police. Fryer, an Economics Professor at Harvard, based most findings on 4 sources of data: Information from New York City's Stop, Question, and Frisk Program The Police-Public Contact Survey Police reporting in … Continue reading James Buehler: Data and Disparity
Jovan lives in Pennsylvania's Delaware County, right outside Philadelphia. He grew up in the state of Delaware and attended Cab Calloway High School, a school for the performing arts. On his way home from school one afternoon, he was asked by a police officer to get off the bus because he fit the description of … Continue reading Jovan Dwight
Kris J. Eden 