by Regina Brent
​ 
UP's efforts to communicate with the youth have been stagnated by the COVID-19 virus since the beginning of last year.  However, we have found ways to give our students from several different high schools a voice to express their feelings, what it's like dealing with everyday problems teens encounter, and how best to channel this new normalcy of life.  We find it deplorable to hear this despicable woman Congresswoman Marjorie Greene's statements toward David Hogg, a young man I personally met at DuPage Unitarian Universal Church located in Naperville.  The Parkland group had been invited by the well-known Pastor Tom Capo, who fought for social justice his entire tenure...he was our spiritual Napervillian trailblazer.  Our very own young student and activist, Prevail Bonga from Downers Grove, Illinois, is part of the group...she helped to raise several thousand dollars for the students who participated, they live in Englewood, a hard economically hit area in Chicago.  According to the Washington Post, 1 in 4 young adults have struggled with suicidal thoughts since COVID hit, CDC says. A USA article from May 2, 2019, entitled "When Mass Shootings Drive Survivors to Suicide," states "The recent suicides of three people connected to school shootings have drawn attention to the other victims of mass attacks - people who survive the initial traumatic experience only to take their own lives later." 
 
Marjorie Greene...I'm going to show you the undeserved respect you did not allow Mr. Hogg: I'm going to address you by your birthright name. Your attacks against Mr. Hogg, a very fine young man who stands for justice, equality, and yes, the 1st Amendment...freedom of speech only unlike you, he does it with dignity, self-respect and a great deal of pride, are unconscionable.  You violated your rights when you followed this young man, tried to degrade him while he simply just kept walking away from you.  Why? Because David Hogg has a future, again, unlike you, he will be forever known for his courage to stand up for others, what's right, and the right to save lives.  As for you, you're full of destruction, human tear-down, and part of a democracy that is of no value to the human race while living in this America.  I'm glad you were walking behind him, and I hope his footsteps you followed lead you down the right path as opposed to the one you are following at this time. You see, David knows we are always open to redemption if we just tap into our inner soul, the one God created and not the Q'Anon!!!!!
 
Press on David Hogg, our future for tomorrow.
 

I recently read a Tribune article written by Mary Schmich, in which she detailed the experience of a 33 year old autistic man, Walter Hughes, who was brought to the Emergency Department of Loyola Hospital because of a paradoxical reaction to a medication. A man with autism, behaving violently, winds up in the ER.  When Walter entered the hospital; he became violent and bit his mother. The officers moved in.  The story played out in a way no one would have expected, least of all Ellen Hughes, Walter’s mother. “Picture it,” she says, “here’s this fragile little mom, the aged parents. Walker’s huge and he’s violently attacking me and suddenly there’s all these cops on him. I’m thinking, ‘My God, they’re gonna kill him.’ ”

The article goes on to say, “They weren’t technically cops. They were the hospital’s public safety officers, but Hughes knew how wrong things could go between a big, violent man with autism and a bunch of uniformed men wearing badges, bulletproof vests and stun guns.” The officers, led by Sgt. Keith Miller, who himself has an autistic son, remained with Walter for the next several hours. Utilizing their training and demonstrating an incredible ability to match his needs, they interacted playfully, sang, imitated Sesame Street voices, and exchanged High Fives. Their collective response calmed Walter, reassured his frightened parents, and allowed the medical staff to provide the necessary care.  The exact incidence of police encounters with those with autism and mental illness may be debated, but the fact that these encounters are increasingly more prevalent is not.  It speaks to the importance of equipping officers with the training and skills to deal with these challenges

In our work with Unity Partnership, we often hear police partners complain about the extensive media coverage of violent incidents between the police and particularly people of color. They argue that these incidents are statistical rarities in policing and yet seem to have an outsize impact on the public’s opinion.  Fair enough, but numbers don’t tell the whole story. They overlook the importance of personal narrative and how each person’s history informs their experience and expectations. If a previous police encounter was negative, as they often had been for Walter and his parents, they approach the next encounter fearful and expecting the worst. Conversely, if the encounter was positive, it has the power to change that narrative often dramatically and quickly. That personal narrative can be a result of direct experiences or can even be developed second hand. Our youth director at Unity Partnership had a very negative view of police largely based on reports from his peers.  He was involved in a car accident and the police officer, who was the first responder, was so solicitous that it completely changed his view and actually served as the impetus for his decision to begin working with the police.

These encounters remind us never to underestimate the power of a single interaction. Ellen Hughes shared her story in a blog post on the Age of Autism site, and in her words summed it up best. “It’s amazing what a team of highly-trained, combat-ready, loving policemen can do.”

Amazing indeed…..
 
 
 
 

  
Lynn Clark, Psy.D.
Secretary of the Board 
Unity Partnership

“Change Begins With Ordinary People”


At Unity Partnership, we have worked diligently to look at the challenges police face and to educate the public about how they can ensure their own safety.   We feel police and citizens both have responsibilities in this regard.  In a program about traffic stops, which UP developed in conjunction with two of the DuPage County police chiefs, we cite an example of an investigative stop.  We stress that in situations such as these, citizens must “comply,” then “complain.”  In his article, Evanston Pays 1.25 Million to Man for Stealing His Own Car, Jonah Meadows explores a controversial investigative stop in detail. It is a cautionary tale in that it illustrates how a bad situation can be made much worse.  Once Mr. Crosby was identified as a suspect, a process unfolded which was troubling from many perspectives.  In reading Meadow’s account and viewing a compilation of audio and video recordings of the incident, I question how much the police officers involved in this situation were taught to use utilize critical thinking and situational decision making. In the beginning of the released footage, a Sergeant of the Evanston police mounts a defense of the officers, stating that their use of force was completely in compliance with protocol.  However, he goes on to say that the department is now revising the policy that suspects be “proned” in these types of stops, citing problematic issues such as location, weather, and the fact that it “gives a bad perception.”
 
Why did it take another incident which garnered national attention, reinforced the negative narrative about policing particularly in regards to people of color, and resulted in the payment of a huge settlement, for the department to institute a change?  Even if we accept that the officers’ followed protocol initially, their recorded comments and actions both during and after the arrest demonstrate a lack of professionalism and a seeming desire for retaliation.  These include the comment, “I didn’t shoot you mother f...., you should feel lucky for that.” When one of the officers became aware that Mr. Crosby had his own dashboard camera, he tells him,” if you are going to put us on trial, we are going to put you on trial.”  Why did the police persist in pursuing charges they acknowledged would likely not be sustained?  Even after the charges were dismissed, the article notes, the police continued to vilify Mr. Crosby, which impacted the size of the final settlement.  This incident fosters a sense of mistrust and suspicion of the police, which sadly has become part of the public narrative.
  
How many departments are actively engaged in educating the public about their role and the rationale for procedures, and are also open to hearing and responding to the public’s concerns?   The candid feedback and questions from the participants in our traffic stop programs demonstrate how essential these sessions can be to correct misunderstandings and diffuse tensions. Once an incident occurs, departments are often unable or unwilling to admit any wrongdoing. That appears to be true in the Crosby case.  Change, like the policy shift Evanston adopted, is important; however its impact can be far greater when it is proactive rather than reactive. The willingness of departments to openly  discuss their policies and practices, to invite public scrutiny, and to explore together the possible impact of the racial and the implicit biases that we all share, would go a long way toward establishing a foundation of trust. These discussions, as difficult as they can be, are often profoundly transformative. While we as the public must always “comply,” that compliance is more likely to occur in a climate of mutual understanding and respect.  This will prevent future such instances from occurring and ensure the safety of both citizens and the police.
 
 

I attended a screening of the movie, “The Hate You Give,” hosted by the Neuqua Valley PATHS. PATHS is an organization within the school system working to improve academic achievement and leadership among African American students.   They do a fine job. The movie is controversial in that it highlights the violent treatment of police towards blacks residing in the urban communities.  It portrays the killing of a young black man, Khalil, at the hands of a white police officer who shot him because he thought Khalil reached for a gun. In the end, the movie takes a turn by focusing more on black on black crime instead of on the traffic stop incident.
 
The young lady portrayed in the movie, Starr, had experienced the loss of a childhood friend prior to losing Khalil. Also, she’s torn between two worlds, her peers from the upscale prep school she attends, and the poor neighborhood in which she lives. Her family is close knit and aspires to leave their roots behind to provide a better life for their children. However, her father insists that they remain…it’s home. After Khalil’s death, Starr feels she must eventually take a stand against the white world and stand up for her race, the African-American community...”no more,” she says, “no more.”  And yet despite her efforts, the officer gos free, but drug dealers are arrested and sentenced to jail.
 
I was impressed with the panel discussion, which focused on how to build strong characteristics while living and dealing with unfamiliar space.  However, there were several issues that were not addressed that could shine a light on how systemic deprivations play a heavy role in the entire community. 
There were additional panel discussions planned for the next day with other students which may have included some of these.  To paraphrase Tupac, the hate you give a youngster can eventually mess up everybody. Our young people need to know how not to fall in such a trap. We, as a people must teach our children how to love, to know their history, and to share with them how we overcame many obstacles.  There was a remarkable turnout at the screening, and those students who attended received extra credit. In the end, I appreciated the effort of the coordinators and thoroughly enjoyed  the event. The saddest part about this movie is Khalil should have obeyed orders.