Young black males under fire.

So this is what happens when you declare the end of racism and not everyone gets the memo.

I know that the po po in Rochester, New York certainly didn't get it.

Here is what Tommy Christopher from Mediaite wrote about the sad incident:

"Not only did Rosa Parks not end racism, but now you can’t even get on the bus without being arrested. On Wednesday, three Edison Tech High School students were arrested when police ordered them to “disperse,” even though they say they explained that they were waiting for a school bus to take them to a basketball scrimmage. In an encouraging sign for the end of racism, though, their coach was not arrested when he arrived to intercede.

The three teens, 16 year-olds Raliek Redd and Deaquon Carelock, and 17 year-old Wan’Tauhjs Weathers, were in the process of being arrested for disorderly conduct when their coach, Jacob Scott, arrived to explain things to police:

Their coach, Jacob Scott, who is also a district guidance counselor, arrived at the location as the three students were placed in handcuffs. Scott said he pleaded with the officer to let the boys go, saying he was supervising them. 

“He goes on to say, ‘If you don’t disperse, you’re going to get booked as well,’” Scott said. “I said, ‘Sir, I’m the adult. I’m their varsity basketball coach. How can you book me? What am I doing wrong? Matter of fact, what are these guys doing wrong?’”
Scott said a sergeant showed up and backed up his officer. 

“One of the police officers actually told me, if he had a big enough caravan, he would take all of us downtown,” Scott said.  

Scott said the incident was traumatic for the players who got arrested and the players who witnessed the arrests and such treatment of their coach.  

“It’s a catastrophe. These young men were doing nothing wrong, nothing wrong. They did exactly what they were supposed to do and still they get arrested,” said Scott. “I’m speaking to the officers with dignity…and still and yet – they see me get treated like nothing.”

Of course, there are two sides to every story, but if the pretextual “disorderly conduct” charge isn’t a tip-off, then the weak-sauce police report ought to be:

The police report says the students were obstructing “pedestrian traffic while standing on a public sidewalk…preventing free passage of citizens walking by and attempting to enter and exit a store…Your complainant gave several lawful clear and concise orders for the group to disperse and leave the area without complaince.”The report does not accuse the boys of using abusive or obscene language.

The teens’ parents had to post $200 bail to get their kids out of jail for Thanksgiving. Their trial date is December 11.

Stories like these are common, but unless the police slip up and mess with someone in an ironclad position of respectability, you never really hear about them. If there’s video, well, you have to watch the whole thing.

This is, however, the first time I’ve ever heard of someone being arrested for refusing to leave an area that they were only in for the express purpose of leaving it. It’s like telling a guy to buy something or get out when he’s at the end of the checkout line. [More]

I guess this "knock out" game phenomenon has some folks, spooked. (Pun intended)

This, and the scare white folks industry that has been popping up all over the country of late. (I see you Colin and Fox News)

You young black bucks might have to start wearing t-shirts identifying yourselves and stating what you are doing at any given time:

"MY NAME IS RALIEK AND I AM A BASKETBALL PLAYER ON MY WAY TO A GAME".

The "old heads" are going to be fine. We know how to dress up and not look threatening. Well, I take that back; we know how to dress up.

The irony is, of course, that the people who should be getting protected from young black males who would do wrong are other young black males. They are at war with each other, not those other folks.

Here in Philly, a hard working college bound young man lost his life this weekend because he wouldn't give up his Beats by Dr Dre  head phone set. Bam! Just like that. These mean streets do not discriminate. That was homicide number six in a 35 hours stretch here in Killadelphia.

In New Jersey, a Marine who survived tours of duty in Afghanistan died on the battle fields of Camden trying to break up a fight.  Wrong place at the wrong time. He was put down, no doubt, by another young black man.

Both of these young men would have been profiled and given the business if they were in the wrong neighborhood or got certain folks suspicious like the kids up in Rochester.

It's the reality of living young and black in America. People fear others who look like you and that fear permeates throughout society.

It's why a bunch of kids just waiting to get on a bus to go and play a basketball game get arrested and almost miss Thanksgiving dinner with their families.

They probably should have went ahead and missed it. Because, right now, in America, if you are young and black, there probably isn't a whole lot to be thankful for.

*Pic from Mediaite