CINCINNATI - White backlash

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News : One Thread

ET

White backlash in riot-torn Cincinnati

By Philip Delves Broughton in Cincinnati

ANXIETY among the non-black residents of Cincinnati turned to anger at the weekend over the violence that has torn the city apart in the past week.

Many were furious with the city's mayor, Charlie Luken, and Ohio's Governor, Bob Taft, for attending the funeral on Saturday of Timothy Thomas, the 19-year-old black man killed by police as he tried to evade arrest. His death provoked a week of rioting and curfews.

But many are infuriated by the failure of the mayor and governor to stand up for the city's police while appearing to appease black leaders. The chief of police, Tom Streichr, said he was grateful for the support of the "silent masses of Cincinnati" who had not joined in the often harsh criticism of the police. The charming old buildings that make up central Cincinnati and its black ghettoes have drawn young professionals back from the suburbs in recent years. However, their homes were targets for violence during last week's rioting.

Ben Stauss, a middle-aged businessman from the suburbs said: "The black community wants better respect from police, but what are they doing to better themselves? I am disturbed that I have not heard once from the black community about how they are going to improve themselves. Since 1995 the police have killed 15 black people, most justified. Meanwhile, 300 blacks have been killed by other blacks. Where is the outcry over this problem?"

Linda Pope whose policeman husband, Daniel, and another officer, Ron Jeter, were shot dead in 1997, said: "This 19-year-old has become a martyr and a hero. Where were the riots when Dan and Ron were murdered?" Even many blacks criticised their own leaders for swooping in to make grand speeches about social justice, while failing to build up schools and businesses during less traumatic times.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001


Moderation questions? read the FAQ