Common Sense Is Not Common

Hey Guys, and welcome, the in the past few weeks no matter where you look, whether its mainstream media or social media you would have witnessed recent reports on protests against racial injustice, inequality, and police brutality.

There have been numerous peaceful protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd and other members of the black community at the hand of law enforcement officers. The Black Lives Matter Movement has been the loudest so far. 

 

We are currently living in the information age where news is no longer controlled by a limited few. Today anyone with a cellphone can capture footage of human rights violations and have it go viral in a matter minutes through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more recently TikTok. 

The killing of Black People by the police has happened numerous times throughout our history,  over the past few years, however,  each time it has happened it sparked protests and calls for justice from the black community. But this time it is different. Because everyone is witnessing the heavy-handed tactics being used by the police and disproportionately inflicted upon the black community. This time other people are standing up with the black community against inequality, injustice, and police brutality.   The list of Names of Black Men and women killed by the police is very long and the list of names of those profiled because of their skin color is even longer. 

For decades the black community has been calling for the end of systemic racism.

The type of racism that creates a vicious cycle that keeps many black people under-educated, under-employed, over-policed, and over-incarcerated.

To end systemic racism, America needs to stop failing people of color. Because right now it is failing them.

I believe that poverty is the biggest factor that influences crime. According to statistics from the last census, the percentage of blacks who are poor is twice that of whites who are poor. And the crime rate in poor neighborhoods is higher than the crime rate in the rich neighborhoods. In countries where the majority of people are the same color, more crime is committed in poorer areas. Therefore its not people’s skin color that causes them to commit crimes, its socio-economic problems that influence criminal activity. As a society, we need to encourage and enable Black People to rise out of poverty. We need to encourage all Americans to overcome poverty. Because a society that has more people gainfully employed will see a reduction in crime. But we should not marginalize people because of their skin color.

 Now we cannot leave it up to corporations to solve this problem by just creating jobs. Because corporations have one main goal, making profits. So it will seek its ideal customer which is more often than not an affluent individual. Just look at who banks choose to loan to, people who already have money. The policies that these companies have tends to be very biased against low-income people.

 The Federal Government needs to take up the mantle of First making comprehensive laws that will eradicate systemic racism automatically. For example, voter suppression, when political parties commission studies that determine the types of IDs blacks are less likely to have and then implementing the use of that  ID as a requirement to vote or when they close polling stations in black communities and the nearest one is hours away are examples, of how racist and corrupt our system is. 

 

Education

One way to get out of poverty is to be educated. We have an education system that needs a lot of work.  Best Practices need to be adopted from across the world. Countries such as Canada, Japan, and Isreal have better education systems than we do. But just improving education is not enough, we need equity in the school system where people in poor neighborhoods receive the same quality of education as people in richer communities. The quality of education our children get should not be dependent on where they live or how rich their parents are. Education should be identical whether you live in  Greenwich or Compton, whether your parents are billionaires or make minimum wage. It is my opinion that the public school system should be better than that of private schools to the point that sending you kids to private school is setting them up for failure.  The government should increase public school spending and establish a plan that will have every child excelling in school. And I know people will ask,  but who will pay for this? Because that question is always asked when there is progress to be made. Well here is my logic on this, taxpayers will pay for it, but this is an investment that will pay back for itself in full because when we have a highly skilled educated population we will have more people opening businesses and we all know that small businesses run America. These businesses will be able to hire more people who will buy more houses, buy more cars, take more vacations, and pay more taxes. We will have fewer people living on welfare and being a burden to the economy. 

 

Secondly is income. I understand that not everyone has the skills that will make them productive members of the workforce. But there is a solution for that and it incorporates mandatory skills training for all employable adults who are currently unemployed. The skills to be taught will be dependent on the current demand in the job market. This training needs to be accompanied by a universal basic income that is determined on the cost of living for the area the individual lives. Once the training is completed and the individual is employed then the universal basic income tax will be assessed to his income to recoup the money he received under the program. This program will become less needed as more educated children become adults and enter the workforce. 

 

Equal Employment and advancement opportunity. 

When I look out on the streets of new york city I see people, black, white Asian, men women young and old. They are all there trying not to bump into each other as they go about their day. But once you go inside the skyscrapers, into the huge white-collar firms that run the economy all the color and variety are filtered out and all you see is white. That is a representation of the majority of private sector companies in the United States. But it’s not a true representation of this country. 

Look at the top ten companies on the fortune 500 lists. 

Walmart has 57 people in its top Leadership but only 5 are Black. Yet a large number of their lower-level workers are black. 

Amazon Has 16  and only one black person. 

Pepsi Has 23 people on its leadership team and only 3 are black. Corporate America needs to do much more to end racism once and for all by making it corporate suicide to not stand out against racism. 

 

The not so obvious trend is that while blacks are no longer slaves they are still treated as second class citizens. Relegated to mediocre jobs with poor pay just as they were in the Jim Crow Era. They are so disenfranchised that when the president seeks their vote, he is quick to ask “what do you have to lose.” But blacks have lost a lot, is still loosing to this day, and there is much more they have to lose, just ask George Floyd, but wait you can’t, He lost his life to a racist white police officer. He lost his life in a society that sees black people as a nuisance if they are not providing entertainment or doing menial jobs. Think of all the times, excluding sports, that you’ve heard a black person getting a genuine compliment from a white person. What were those circumstances, were any of them for a dirty or risky job that no one else wanted to do?

If you answered no, then your experience is in the minority.  

I know that we have equal employment opportunity laws but if you look at many private sector companies they keep most people of color in the lower ranks of the organization. I like to call them white top-heavy. The fact is black people make up 13 percent of the American population but that is not represented in the top executive positions in fortune 500 companies.

Since the protest, many companies have pledged a large but limited amount of money to the development of black people. But that alone is not whats really needed. What’s needed is a deep look at your organization to see how well the black community is represented throughout the ranks. And bring more black people into the fold. Look out for them, just like how you would look out for your own. Because you will be helping to develop a part of America that has been left underdeveloped or neglected. The same goes for the entertainment industry, more nods for lead roles should be given to black actors. I shouldn’t have to watch an all-black movie to see black stars or black heroes. Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonderwoman can all be played by black actors. I think Trevor bell would be a great spiderman. Check him out on Instagram. And who wouldn’t want to see Kerry Washington as wonder woman? People, we need to look past skin color and educate those who don’t know-how. 

To end systemic racism we must first admit that it exists.  But some are denying that there is systemic racism in the police force and in America. These include people currently holding prominent positions in government. 

The term Black Lives Matter has been explained thousands of times by activists, however,  there all always those who will say that All lives matter, what they are really doing is running away from the difficult discussion about the dark history of this country and how remnants of the malicious of treatment black people are still evident. All lives do matter but do they matter equally, if the black people in that equation are being persecuted then 

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On the 25th of May 2020, Police were called to a store in Minneapolis where it was suspected that a counterfeit $20 was tendered. 

The police subsequently arrested George Floyd, a  46-year-old father. 

Floyd was placed in handcuffs, he was peaceful, he was calm, he was not resisting arrest, yet four officers white officers had this black man on the ground face down, cuffed then officer Derick Chauvin shoved his knee onto George Floyd’s Neck and kept pressing. He pressed for 8 minutes and 46 seconds killing Mr Floyd in the process. 

While Chauvin was killing Floyd, Floyd kept saying that he couldn't breathe and asked these racist murdering cops not to kill him. They killed him anyway and the world responded, they started protesting for Justice for Floyd. Some started vandalizing and many thought it was because they were angry from the injustice. But as soon as the rioting started many who wanted to ignore the importance of the message from the protest started focusing on vandalism and not the message. And while I don't agree with vandalism, it is unfortunate that businesses were vandalized but a line was crossed when cops started killing people, people they were meant to protect. While these killings might not affect you it has affected the black community for many years. And they protest peacefully and everyone is with them, bills are drafted to change laws but these laws have to be voted on and this is where the many of the reforms in the criminal justice system that we need die. There are too many people in our government who don't believe in the cause of justice for black people. You can tell who they are. They are the ones who remain silent. They are the ones who are louder when there is a loss of property than when there is a loss of life. I don't have to tell you who they are, you know who they are. They spend 10 seconds of a 30-minute broadcast saying that what happened to George Floyd was sad, then for the majority of the program, they speak out against the violent nature of the protest. Yet fail to realize that life is much more important than property. That if everyone disappears property means nothing because it sits there serving nobody. But Humans are resilient and are able to start from nothing. Let me put it into perspective so you can understand. The price for a Boeing 737 Max 8 is well over 100 million US dollars. It can carry a passenger load of 178 people. If an aircraft crashes we don't focus on the aircraft that was lost we focus on the lives that were lost. The same principle applies to these protests, people should be peaceful but they are angry because when they remain peaceful they are still killed by police who are violent.

The list of names of black people who have been killed by cops is too much to handle on this one podcast. It’s hurtful to know the pain that the black community is going through and has been going through ever since they were brought to America on slave ships. 

America built its great economy on the backs of black slaves and since the abolition of slavery, this country has treated the descendants of these slaves like pariahs. America needs to change the way that black people are treated. Everyone should be treated equally but in this society, if you are black, unfortunately even if you get to the White house equality rarely happens. I am sickened that George Floyd lost his life on May 25th, 2020 and I am upset that it took video footage to make America realize the injustice that black people keep facing to this day. And even with the video footage, it took days of nationwide protesting for the police department to charge the officers involved claiming that due process must be maintained. George Floyd’s due process was 8 minutes and 46 seconds, that's how long the police officer kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck. But there are many other victims of police brutality who were not given their day in court because they are in the grave. It's as if the police have wagered a war against blacks. 

During these protests, many police officers have come out to say that not all cops are bad. And I agree with this statement, But being not bad at this time is not enough you have to be a force of good. One that will fight against evil the elements in the Police force. If you are a police officer and you know of other police officers that are bad and you stay silent about it you are allowing the bad cops to tarnish your good name. 

You should speak out against the corrupt elements in your department because you may be responding to an incident one day and the bad cop arrives on the scene and does something that places your career, freedom, or even life at risk. In George Floyd’s case, the killer cop arrived on the scene after Floyd was in handcuffs maybe if he wasn't on location George Floyd would still be alive today and the other cops would still be free and have their jobs, just think about that. Are you willing to let a dirty cop jeopardize your livelihood, your freedom, your life, and your family? There is a lot of risk, power, and responsibility that come with being a police officer. If you only embrace the power and ignore the responsibility then the job becomes riskier.

You are here to serve the people of this country, all the people of this country, they should all matter to you and black people are apart of the All. But because of your treatment, they don’t feel like they are apart of that group and this is why they emphasized that Black Lives Matter. Because for too long and by too many, they’ve been treated like they don’t matter. And I know some might say that I’m just one person what can I do. You can do a whole lot because you might not be the only one who wants to speak up but is afraid. But imagine that that bad cop just killed your kid would you be afraid to speak up then? So imagine that every day that that bad cop is out there he may encounter your child on the street. So do that cop a favor and help him get a different career where he cannot put people’s lives in danger. I read that in the King Crab industry deckhands make up to $15,000 per month out at sea. The bottom line is with great power comes great responsibility. 

 

Accountability does not fall on the officers alone it begins way before the officer takes to the street. It begins with congress and the laws that are written. Congress should update the laws that govern the police force frequently and make them more relevant to the times in which we live. And ensure there are no loopholes left for incorrect interpretation especially when it pertains to human rights. 

The selection process of who becomes police officers should be rigorous, the people who are selected to serve should be able to improve the quality of life for All Americans not reduce it. Racist people should not be allowed on the force. A thorough background check is needed that includes biases against people due to their looks, religion or beliefs. All Police Department training programs should be very comprehensive in deescalation without the use of force. Firearms are not needed in every scenario therefore firearms should be given based on the scenario. They should instead be equipped with non lethal tools designed for bringing calm and not taking lives. 

Police should be tasked with helping to improve their communities, not destroying it. 

The police should value everylife they come into contact with. Every family wants their loved ones to come home, not just the police family. 

The world is speaking out against racism, inequality and police brutality, we need to heal the world it's about time. Let's come together and stop the nonsense. 

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The Mysterious Disappearance Of Etan Patz Etan Patz

Do you remember the name Etan Patz…… Well on May 25th 1979, 6 year old Etan disappeared.

It was the Friday before the  Memorial Day Weekend, the ground was wet from earlier rain and Etan was eager to walk the two blocks from his home at 113 Prince Street, to the intersection of West Broadway and Prince street in lower Manhattan, to board his school bus to Public School PS3 at 490 Hudson street. But Etan... never made it to school that day. 

It was the first day that he walked by himself to the busstop and the last day he was seen alive.  

His mother Julie recalled how independent Etan was, and how he wanted to walk to the bus stop by himself. She initially objected but subsequently gave in. “I’ll be ok” were some of the last words she heard her son say. 

She walked him to the door and watched him leave the nest. She remembers him wearing an Eastern Airlines cap, blue jeans and blue jacket. Etan had a dollar in his pocket that was given to him by a neighbourhood handyman when he visited his workshop. Etan had planned to use his dollar to purchase a soda from the Bodega on the way to the bus stop which was only two blocks away. 

He went out into the world with hope in his eyes, money in his pocket and a bright future ahead of him. Little did he know.. that that rainy day in May would lead to a mayday distress call that would be heard across the nation and catalyze The Missing Children Movement. 

 

When Etan didn't come home that evening his mother called everywhere his school, his friends but no one saw him. He never showed up for  school and his friends never saw him on the bus.  

Julie then called  police and made a missing persons report and that night the search for Etan began. But Etan was never found  and while a man confessed and was convicted for his murder, police was unable to find any physical evidence to corroborate the case. And even thought he was pronounced dead in absentia. 

The fact that his body was never found has left the door open for some to say that he may not be dead. 

Etan was the middle child he has an older sister and a younger brother

  The SOHO Neighbourhood 

Etan Patz lived With his Mother and father, older sister and younger brother in the SoHo neighbourhood of lower manhattan. For the uninitiated SoHo is an acronym for South of Houston street a name that was coined by famous developer chester rapkin in 1962

Today SOHO is known for its boutique shops, Art Galleries and loft apartments, home to famous people like Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys, Daniel Craig, John Legend, Justin Timberlake and Samuel L. Jackson

However in the 1970s it was a much rougher neighbourhood.

New York city on a whole looked very different then, than it does now. A Financial Crisis had sickened the city, one that many thought the city could never recover from. There was a massive exodus to the suburbs, high unemployment rates, muggings on the subway 

Prostitutes and pimps frequenting Times Square, Central Park was  feared for muggings and rape. Homeless persons and drug dealers occupied boarded-up and abandoned buildings.  

The NYPD was the subject of an investigation on widespread corruption. 

A Pamphlet was released by the council of public safety ( Made up of Police, firefighters and other unions) called “Welcome to Fear City” Which featured a prominent skull on the cover.  The pamphlet warned tourists to not:

• Come outside after 6 pm
• Not leave midtown
• To call your cab before you leave your hotel
• Never Ride the Subway
• Don't leave property in the hotel safe.

If you were a tourist coming to new york and saw that pamphlet you would definitely turn back.

So try to imagine what Etan Patz’s neighbourhood looked like back then. Boarded up buildings, dark alleys, no surveillance cameras, no mobile phones , many of the things we enjoy today just weren't available then. 

When Etan Patz left his house  at 113 Prince Street He would have had to walk two blocks to get to the bodega on the corner of West Broadway and Prince. 

Once at the corner he supposedly entered the bodega where he planned to purchase a soda. The individual who was convicted of his murder worked at the same bodega. In his confession he claimed that he lured 6 year old Etan into the basement of the bodega and strangled him. 

Bodega

 

The bodega was located at 448 west broadway but has since been long gone and the business that currently occupies the space is a socks retailer. 

In the days after the disappearance the police interviewed the workers of the bodega. Records show that the store manager Juan Santana was interviewed, the names of two other workers Rachael DaVilla and Pedro Hernandez were noted but nothing in depth. It's relevant to note that the bust stop was just in front of the bodega. 

When the case was reopened the police received a tip that Pedro Hernandez may have abducted and killed Etan Patz. 

Pedro Hernandez confessed stating that he lured Etan to the basement by offering a soda. He added that after strangling him to death he placed him in a trash bag and then inside a cardboard box. Then he dumped the body in another location. But if that were the case Etans friends and other parents would have seen him at the bus stop that morning before or while he was being lured to the basement.

In his confession Hernandez also mentioned that there were other people in the basement with him. Who were these other people and what were they doing there?

 

Suspects

Throughout the case there were three major suspects in the disappearance of Etan Patz. 

In 1979 the detectives in the case suspected that the perpetrator was John Ramos, a drifter  who lived in a storm drain in the community. Ramos was a known child molester who even admitted that on the same day that Etan disappeared he molested a boy in Washington Square Park that fit the description of Etan. He claimed however that he placed the child on  the subway after he molested him. Ramos had a connection with Etan through a woman named Susan Harrington who used to walk Etan home from the bus stop. It was suspected that Ramos had a relationship with Harrington and even  admitted to  molesting her son who later committed suicide.

The prosecutors were unable to bring charges against Ramos because they say the evidence wasn't enough for them to build a criminal case against him. However the Patz did bring a civil case against him which they won and was awarded damages to the tune of 2 million dollars, money they were never paid. 

The case went cold until investigators received information that a Carpenter Othniel Miller who had a workshop at 127B Prince street  near where Etan lived might be involved. Miller was seen with Patz the night before his disappearance and his shop was along the route that Etan would take to his bus stop. Investigators became suspicious after reports filed by his ex-wife that Miller molested his niece and that he poured new concrete in the basement soon after Etan disappeared. His basement was dug up in 2012, however no evidence of a body of remains were found.

 

Then the investigators received another  lead in the case when the brother inlaw of Pedro Hernandez reported that Hernandez had confessed to numerous people that he had hurt a boy in New York. He was tried and a mistrial was declared because the jurors could not come to a unanimous decision. The case was later retried and Hernandez was found guilty and sentenced to serve 25 years to life. 

School Etans school was a five minute car ride from his bus stop on west broadway. When Etans mother called the school they reported that he never  showed up to school that day. But at least eight hours had already elapsed since he was last seen. If the parents were notified when attendance was taken, they might have had a much better chance of finding Etan alive. 

Today many parents and guardians receive an automated message when their child is 

missing from school

 

Child Abduction 

According to the national center of missing and exploited children approximately 800,000 children are reported missing every year. 

The Etan Patz case placed a spotlight on missing and abused children in the United States. In the 1980s he was one of the first faces to appear on milk cartons seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing children. Though Etan was never found, the awareness that his abduction started has helped many children around the country. 

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