Skip to main content

Sticking to the Script: The Sean Bell Verdict

It has occurred so often, one would think that it is scripted.

It has to be scripted.

Another dead minority due to excessive police force. Another acquitted verdict.

It almost seems so regular, that it no longer is surprising. The verdict in the Sean Bell case has caused an uproar over justice for citizens, and justice for minorities. In a case where three police officers fired a total of fifty one bullets at Sean Bell and his friends upon exiting a night club, a "trial" found them innocent of any excessive, cruel, or intentional behavior.

In a trial where the prosecution tried about as hard as the New York Knicks did in the month of March, how can one blame the minority's lack of faith in the judicial system? The evidence was there. Plain and clear. This was supposed to be the one. This case was supposed to be different. This time there would be justice.

Nope. Innocent.

Instead, we got another cheap verdict.

Now the Rev. Al Sharpton will run his parade for coverage and notoriety claiming racism and yada, yada, yada...spare me.

The true situation lies not in racism or the bad apples of the NYPD.

The true situation lies in the growing lack of faith in the judicial system. As citizens. In brotherhood. For justice.

The truth lies in the fact that if the victim were a white male, would the verdict be different?

I don't know.

However, if it were a minority?

It seems it will just stick to the script.

Recent Favorites

DP Review of the Alternate Knicks Orange Jersey

One of the good aspects about having a blog and being truthful and honest about it, is the hindsight thought process it provides. DP devotees already know how much I love my New York Knicks, and how excited I was about their new jerseys last year. It was a new look that was desperately needed ( DP Review On Knicks New Uniforms ).  In reviewing those jerseys last year, I had the following comments in regards to then-rumors regarding the addition of an alternative orange jersey for the Knicks and overall NBA changes to the Christmas Day special jerseys:  "As long as we do not add an "alternative jersey" (I read rumors of an orange one - woof!) (and the league-wide Spanish jerseys are fine). And please, please - PLEASE - let's finally do away with the awful green jerseys we feel the need to wear on Christmas and St. Patrick's day! Pretty please!"

Quick Ponder: Free and Guarded

Stay free. But keep the gate to  your peace, guarded.

WWE Wrestlemania XL Review: "I absolutely loved this Wrestlemania"

It's easy to get caught up and become a prisoner of the moment. Especially in today's world where the latest moment is ostracized, super-analyzed, and hyperbolized - it's very much the clickbait, social media, microwave society we live in.  Yet, even after acknowledging that (as well as my Tribal Chief, of course), I still come to this feeling that Wrestlemania XL is one of the best Wrestlemania's, ever.  Yes, ever!  I don't need Triple H's metrics and benchmarks to influence me. No, no, no! In terms of hype, storylines, payoffs, match quality, and just overall fun - this entire weekend was amazing.  I'm slightly skewed in my preference as well. This was my son's first Wrestlemania as a pro wrestling fan. Having him at my side cheering on his favorites, getting caught up in the drama, and even crying at the end of the night because his Tribal Chief lost to "that no good Cody" added to the overall appreciation of the event.  So yeah, I have some