Abuse of power shatters public trust
Jason McFarley
The Bottom Line
Before I open up the floor to shameless name calling and finger wagging, let me be sure I've got this straight.
More than three weeks ago four black Notre Dame students were arrested by two white security guards at the local Denny's after much hullabaloo both inside and outside of the restaurant. The charges against them were dropped, but shortly thereafter the students understandably cried race. And now some knuckleheads ... um, Roseland Town Council members ... want to see the charges reinstated?
Did I miss something?
Not likely. After all, Denny's did find that the two arresting officers crossed the line in bringing the students into custody. According to restaurant managers, the "jailhouse four" as well as their five friends (all of whom are black) should have never been approached, let alone handcuffed and manhandled.
Notre Dame administrators rallied behind the students. Father Mark Poorman, University Vice President for Student Affairs, called the situation "a serious injustice." Poorman told The Observer earlier this month, "We all know this is more than an isolated incident. It is symptomatic of a problem that pervades our society and our community." Apparently he can smell a rat — or two.
So can local authorities. St. Joseph County Prosecutor Chris Toth concluded that the Terrible Two were well out of order. After reviewing arrest reports and surveillance tape of the incident, Toth said the arrests were "clearly unjustified."
To their credit, Denny's was quick in giving the officers the boot.
And now area newspapers and broadcasters are reporting that it wasn't the first time that at least one of the officers fell far short of his duties to protect and serve. One man was a former South Bend police officer who had been let go due to "unsatisfactory job performance."
So what is the town council trying to pull? Why the big stink over a pair of seemingly rotten apples? No, really, I'm baffled. Is the council naive or just a bunch of meanies?
Sure, they could be a group of modern-day idealists, magnificently content to see that everything's coming up roses in this happy world. Hey, ignorance is bliss, right?
So maybe they're busy believing in the colorblind society where nine young blacks can walk into a public place and be perceived merely as a band of friends — not as a gang. Or where the same nine can stroll into a restaurant looking for a meal — not trouble.
Of course in such a racially equal world when white officers scuffle with black patrons over knocking down small waiting area signs, it's completely warranted.
But it's almost as ridiculous for me to consider the town council naive as it is for them to pursue the charges against the students. Let's face it, we all know better. That's why what's happening alarms me. Roseland's elected governing body wants to support two men condemned by no less than nine students and countless university officials, community members, the county prosecutor and even their own employer.
One question comes to mind: Why?
Help me understand. What are they fighting for? For the positions of two men who conceivably aren't fit to police or secure anyone or anything? For Denny's and the sake of eating establishments everywhere? For the dignity of the five or six-mile stretch of Hoosier highway they call Roseland?
Perhaps, though, it's a matter of what they're fighting against. That's certainly more easily answered.
Let's see, given their stance on this situation, they must be utterly opposed to civil rights. That, then, means no venturing into any Roseland restaurant. At least not to sit down and eat. That is, if it's a Saturday night. And you're the wrong color.
By the way, no arguing with Roseland's finest either. Police brutality, what's that? Who cares on what grounds you're being arrested; shut up and go with the flow.
Man, they sure are setting us back a good 40 or 50 years. And just when I thought the days of being tossed from the lunch counter were over. Leave it to Roseland to give blacks not only a hard time but also a blast from the past.
Now if I seem angry and sarcastic, it's because I don't want to be sad. Sad that college students had to resort to biting, scratching and spitting to avoid being steamrolled by some dirty cops' brand of justice. Sad that they are so much worse for the wear and that this ordeal will, if it hasn't already, leave them more harsh, cynical observers of and participants in life.
It's more than a little distressing to think that they face the endless dilemma of being expected to respect the law while finding that the law in many instances does not work for them.
Want to bring tears to my eyes? Find me some intelligent prominent citizens willing to go out of their way to shatter the normalcy of a group of young adults' lives. Shouldn't be too difficult; I hear the Roseland Town Council meetings are open to the public.
Bottom line: What two errant officers lost doesn't begin to compare to what nine college students surrendered three weeks ago — their innocence.
Jason McFarley is a freshman in the First Year of Studies. His column appears every other Wednesday.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, March 22, 2000
