After three weeks of sitting by way of the Manny Ellis case and taking within the totally different phrases, displays, pictures and other people, I seen that there have been many views being introduced. I additionally seen that Ellis and I have been each black males in America, however there appeared to be just one black man on the jury and I used to be exhausting pressed to seek out one other within the courtroom.
This case is not only about Manny Ellis or his household, however this case is about each black man or lady or little one who deserves safety below the regulation. Actually, this case is about the best way each individual stopped by the police whereas strolling dwelling from the shop armed with nothing however donuts and a bottle of water ought to anticipate to get dwelling safely. There are different views, however I supply a black man’s perspective as somebody sitting within the courtroom for the trial of these accused of killing a black man.
My first thought is that the accused officers killed a black man with their naked palms and nobody confirmed up for trial. The law enforcement officials have been filmed choking and beating a black man on a number of cameras and in individual, but nobody confirmed up for trial. Even non-black residents received concerned by recording the incident, but nobody confirmed up for the trial. As they bravely bore witness to what that they had captured with out regard to race and within the face of ridicule, the general public gallery was nearly empty.
Throughout the pandemic, folks rallied and marched for social justice throughout America, however now that the pandemic is over, maybe so is their compassion.
The county health worker formally dominated Ellis’ dying a murder (when an individual dies by the hands of one other) and nobody confirmed up for trial. The accused officers frolicked in jail however at the moment are out on bail and receiving full pay and advantages whereas in courtroom, but nobody has appeared.
Certain, the household of the black man is current within the courtroom day by day, however when the sufferer’s mom turns to see if any of the black group leaders or their surrogates are there, her gaze is met with empty seats.
Early within the trial, Ellis’ mom acknowledged me as a pastor at a church and thanked me for being there, however then requested me a pointed query: “The place are all your mates?” She talked in regards to the black ministers and leaders within the metropolis. I assured her that Allen AME Church, the oldest black church in Tacoma, would have a black presence within the courtroom regardless.
Since then, a number of different daring pastors have come so as to add to the black presence within the courtroom. The AME Church is dedicated to rotating members from church buildings in Tacoma, Seattle and additional afield. Rev. Cassandra Gould, a minister at Metropolitan AME in Washington, DC, additionally joined me within the courtroom for 2 days.
Our presence within the courtroom is just not solely to combine the room, however to realize a greater understanding of the method, to see the great and dangerous of the authorized system and the way the decision falls.
The courtroom is a good place to see the “precise” trial, together with the breaks the place all events and teams collect individually and collectively to check notes. This emphasizes the truth that everybody has a perspective and is entitled to it, together with the black man. No matter your perspective on this matter, the very fact is {that a} man misplaced his life that evening in March 2020 whereas strolling dwelling from the shop. We have to be current within the courtroom if for no different motive than to point out that his life mattered.