Stewart Incident Triggers Systemic Shift

For six months this year the Black Lives Matter movement in Memphis grew in an ebb and a flow governed largely by the growing list of fatal police encounters in other cities.

There was also an equally volatile and varied set of reactions by civic leaders in those cities as well as protestors.

That all changed in mid-July when Memphis Police officer Connor Schilling pulled over a car with one headlight out on Winchester Road in Hickory Hill, wrote the driver a ticket and after the driver and others in the car had left got into a fight with Darrius Stewart.

The fight ended with Stewart, a passenger in the car wanted on warrants in another state, shot twice by Schilling and fatally wounded.

With that, the movement in Memphis intensified and in some ways the issue grew beyond the borders of the movement to a broader discussion.

And very quickly fundamental changes were made in how such fatal police encounters are handled as a matter of policy.

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Tennessee Legal Opinion is Latest Entry in Police Shooting Controversy

Herbert Slatery

The Memphis City Council cannot subpoena the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s records into the fatal police shooting of Darrius Stewart in July, according to a legal opinion from Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery.

The opinion, dated Aug. 25 and made public last week, garnered statewide attention because it hinges on the absence of a comma in the relevant state law.

But it’s also the latest entry in a chronicle that began July 17 when Memphis police officer Connor Schilling shot and killed Darrius Stewart, a passenger in a car Schilling pulled over for a traffic violation. Paired with the fatal shooting of Memphis police officer Sean Bolton two weeks later – allegedly by Tremaine Wilbourn, also a passenger in a car – the two incidents have become bookends of an already simmering local version of the national discussion about how police do their jobs.

State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, sought the attorney general’s opinion. It comes seven weeks after District Attorney General Amy Weirich turned the case over to the TBI and one week after the TBI completed its investigation and sent a 600-page report to Weirich.

Her office is reviewing the report, and she has released no information on the conclusion of the investigation.

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Dear White People Who Proclaim “#AllLivesMatter” or “#PoliceLivesMatter”

Dear White People,

I understand (as a fellow white person) where you’re coming from. Us white folks prefer universal and abstract moral claims that relieve us of any responsibility for social change and keep us on the moral high ground. We also prefer to ignore historical particularity in our theologies/philosophies (we just cannot help ourselves, we love the “pure” rationality of the Enlightenment) and so “All Lives Matter” appeals to our sense of universality. As a white theologian, I even agree with you that at a level of a universalized and abstract theology it is true, all lives do matter (including those of the police). God loves everybody. Everyone is made in the image of God.

All that being said, “Black Lives Matter” is a particular statement born in a particular time in which Black lives have NOT been mattering (in part shown in the way Black people have been shot down by the police in numbers far beyond that of white people, and in part through additional systemic racism in our political, economic, and cultural lives). In this particular time and place all lives, therefore, are not mattering. So, if you want “All Lives Matter” to be universally credible, then join with the “Black Lives Matter” movement to help make it credible in this particular time and place in history.

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River of Hope: Black Politics and the Memphis Freedom Movement, 1865-1954

One of the largest southern cities and a hub for the cotton industry, Memphis, Tennessee, was at the forefront of black political empowerment during the Jim Crow era. Compared to other cities in the South, Memphis had an unusually large number of African American voters. Black Memphians sought reform at the ballot box, formed clubs, ran for office, and engaged in voter registration and education activities from the end of the Civil War through the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954.

In this groundbreaking book, Elizabeth Gritter examines how and why black Memphians mobilized politically in the period between Reconstruction and the beginning of the civil rights movement. Gritter illuminates, in particular, the efforts and influence of Robert R. Church Jr., an affluent Republican and founder of the Lincoln League, and the notorious Memphis political boss Edward H. Crump. Using these two men as lenses through which to view African American political engagement, this volume explores how black voters and their leaders both worked with and opposed the white political machine at the ballot box.

River of Hope challenges persisting notions of a "Solid South" of white Democratic control by arguing that the small but significant number of black southerners who retained the right to vote had more influence than scholars have heretofore assumed. Gritter's nuanced study presents a fascinating view of the complex nature of political power during the Jim Crow era and provides fresh insight into the efforts of the individuals who laid the foundation for civil rights victories in the 1950s and '60s.

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#WhiteOut Violence in Memphis

Dr. Stacy L. Spencer, pastor of New Direction Christian Center in Memphis, TN joins talk show host Byron Tyler on Mid-South View Point. Organizers declared Sunday August 30th 2015 “Whiteout Sunday.” Pastors and churches in the community crossed racial and denominations lines on this date to march from Memphis City Hall to the National Civil Rights Museum. Whiteout Sunday communicated that citizens are tired of the violence and crime and believe that as followers of Jesus Christ engaging the issue through unity is the first step to seeing change.

Black Lives Matter Reclaims the 14th Amendment

By Cass R. Sunstein

Black Lives Matter, the activist movement that began in 2013, focuses on violence against African-Americans -- perpetrated not only by the police but also by private vigilantes. Its central goals are to prevent such violence and to hold people accountable when it occurs.

Its supporters proclaim that this is something new, “not your grandmamma’s civil rights movement.” Maybe so. But it may well be your grandmamma’s grandmamma’s civil rights movement. Black Lives Matter taps into an often forgotten, but nevertheless defining, element of our constitutional heritage.

After the Civil War, the nation ratified the 14th Amendment, much of which adopts phrases from the original Constitution and Bill of Rights. But one line was startlingly new: “nor shall any state . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

Here’s one way to understand the central meaning of the equal protection clause: Black lives matter.

Nowadays, the idea of “equal protection” is understood as a broad prohibition on discrimination. But the clause refers not to equality in general but specifically to “equal protection.” It was conceived as a direct response to the states’ failure to prevent private and public violence against the newly freed slaves. As summarized more than 20 years ago by the great constitutional scholar David Currie, the clause means that “the states must protect blacks to the same extent that they protect whites: by punishing those who do them injury.”

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#BlackLivesMatter and So Do Pigs

The owners of Imagine Vegan Cafe received a phone call and several negative comments/reviews on social media because they have signs on their wall supporting the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Below is their response.

Today, we received a phone call and several negative comments/reviews on social media concerning the signs on our wall that support the ‪ #‎BlackLivesMatter‬ movement.

Here is our official reply:

First, we support this movement because Black Lives do, in fact, matter. This is not a racist statement, nor does it mean that all other lives do not matter. If that were the case, the signs would say "ONLY Black Lives Matter". They do not, however, say "ONLY Black Lives Matter". This is actually simple common sense and basic knowledge of the English language. As an example: if I were to say "my kids lives matter" that would be true. It would not be true, however, to assume that this means that the lives of other children do not matter to me. It simply means that in the present moment, I am emphasizing the importance of the lives of my children.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that is built on systemic and institutional racism. Thus, it is important to emphasize that Black Lives matter in solidarity with the Oppressed within our society. Standing in solidarity with the Oppressed is, after all, the very reason that Imagine Vegan Cafe exists in the first place. Furthermore, unless you are vegan, it is hypocritical to say "ALL Lives Matter". What you are actually saying with your life is "ONLY HUMAN Lives Matter." Even then, consumption of factory farmed animal products is a leading cause of starvation in countries where starvation and malnutrition are prevalent, because rich countries (such as the United States) use grains that could nourish starving humans in poor countries to fatten animals for slaughter (while these animals should be eating their natural diet of grass) to meet consumer demands. So, what you are ACTUALLY saying is: "ONLY HUMAN Lives IN RICH COUNTRIES Matter". 

Second, the pigs on the bulletin board are not intended to symbolize police officers at all. This thought never occurred to us until we received the phone call and negative comments earlier today. In humility, we offer a sincere apology for this particular misunderstanding. We have many close friends, regular customers, and family (Adam's grandfather) who are police officers. The pigs are there for the same reason that we have pigs in our profile picture... The pigs are there for the same reason that we have a rescue pig living in our backyard... The pigs are there for the same reason that we do not eat pigs... The reason: we love pigs!!! Pigs are our friends, not food.

Third, if you have read this statement and are still offended by where we stand on this issue, please feel free to spend your money somewhere else. We are not the slightest bit concerned with your money or your bad reviews. We do, however, care about you. If you would like to talk about it, please feel free to call and ask for us (Kristie or Adam, not our 13 year old daughter who typically answers the phone for "to go" orders and general informational purposes because we are a family owned and operated business.) Or, you can take the less mature path and continue to rally friends to leave negative comments on social media sites. In either case, we love you, because your life matters!

Peace and Love,
Kristie and Adam Jeffrey

A guide to debunking the need for “All Lives Matter” and its rhetorical cousins

It’s summer, you’re at a barbecue feeling really right with your Kool-aid, potato salad and hot dog. You strike up a conversation with a guy about black lives mattering. It’s not an unusual conversation, lots of people are having it. But suddenly, you’re mid-chew and this guy says “Right, but, don’t all lives matter? I’m more of an ‘all lives matter’ kind of guy.”

Last week, close to 200 Philadelphians showed up to protest for white lives. According to Philadelphia’s ABC affiliate, the event was held in response to an alleged “rash” of beatings in a white South Philadelphia neighborhood by four black women. And so the white residents of this Philadelphia neighborhood rallied for white lives.

In December, right when the black lives matter movement was picking up momentum, Kathleen McCartey, president of Smith College, wrote in an e-mail to the college in support of student protest efforts around the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown. In it she said: “We are united in our insistence that all lives matter.” After students voiced their disappointment with McCartney’s use of the term, the president apologized.

Fox news panelist Lars Larson was outraged by McCartney’s apology. “In fact. I think the crowds, the mobs, who’ve been making these protests for the last couple of weeks all over America, they owe society an apology,” he said about using the phrase. “Because by exclusion it suggests that others matter less,” he continued. “It’s a bigoted thing to say.”

So, what do you say when confronted with an “all lives matter” enthusiast? And, really, Why is it so bad? Below is a guide to help you through those tricky times.

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Memphis Grassroots Organizations Coalition Statement

The Memphis Movement (M2) has started following the events surrounding the death of Darrius Stewart; a 19 year old African American shot and killed by Memphis police officer Conner Schilling on July 17, 2015. Two weeks later on August 1, 2015, alleged gunman Tremaine Wilburn, shot and killed police officer Sean Bolton. Both deaths happened while officers performed random traffic stops. Below is a statement from a coalition of grass root activists in response to the deaths of both Darrius Stewart and Officer Sean Bolton. 

Over the past few weeks, several citizens, civic organizations, ministers and other interested parties have joined together in peaceful resistance against the injustice and despair that plague the black community both internally and externally. We join together to affirm the work being done across the city and nation. We solicit every willing worker of goodwill to join in dismantling the various forms of oppression and injustice among us through every adequate and effective form and method of resistance. This is a peculiar moment in the life of our country as well as our beloved city of Memphis. We mourn with our city in the loss of the life of Officer Sean Bolton and continue to fight for justice for the family of Darrius Stewart.

The undersigned stand as a grassroots coalition and collective in affirmation of all efforts to bring truth, justice, peace and love to our city. We recognize the need to produce a concerted effort in response to the State of Emergency whereby we find ourselves. The catastrophic loss and continual devaluing of black lives has stoked the fire of the #BlackLivesMatter movement nationwide. This national and local movement is a banner and philosophy under which many grassroots groups and sacred communities stand in solidarity. It is in this vein of unity and hope for better tomorrows that we petition our people, our institutions, and our organizations of goodwill to continue to work towards the freedom and liberty of all seemingly disenfranchised and marginalized people. Those who are familiar with the BLM movement know that the movement never seeks to merely switch the source of oppression from one group to the next. The spirit of the movement itself seeks to dismantle, disrupt and destroy every form of oppression and centers on the experiences of the most underprivileged.

In the words of Dr. King, we know that “an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We denounce the shooting and death of Officer Sean Bolton. We stand in full support of the MPD and other parties that seek to obtain justice for the slain officer and his family. Simultaneously, we must continue to focus on the shooting and murder of Darrius Stewart on July 17, 2015. We must remain diligent in and sensitive to the work necessary to bring justice and peace, healing and wholeness to ALL those who are suffering.

We seek an update to the general public on the developments on the investigation into the shooting of Darrius Stewart by Officer Conner Schilling. Within the past two weeks, with the support of the family, friends, social activist groups and ministerial leaders who have held several vigils, rallies, worship services and other events to raise the social consciousness of the city with respect to this particular incident as well as the issues of police brutality and violence in general. We all remain committed to resisting every form of oppression, exploitation and manipulation that continues to heighten the tensions between civilians, law enforcement and civic and political leadership. This is not the time to politicize tragedies. It is the time to respond to them with compassion and commitment to truth, love and justice.

Therefore, in the name of trust, transparency and progress, we request that the TBI, MPD, and/or DA Amy Weirich provide the general public with relevant, uncompromising, and up to date information with respect to both the shooting of Officer Bolton and the shooting of Darrius Stewart, at least once per week via written statements and/or press conferences until an indictment is handed down or the investigation reaches its legal conclusion. We have already begun to witness the intensity by which MPD and others are pursuing justice in the shooting of Officer Bolton. Equal force should be applied in pursuing justice in the shooting of Darrius Stewart.

To be clear, our aim is not personal but corporate. Our focus in not merely on an instance or two, but, moreover, towards the broader and longstanding epidemics of police brutality, the culture of violence in our country and the wanton use of guns as weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, with respect to law enforcement, we also request that the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board be reestablished immediately and authorized by our city administration to review each use of lethal force since its disbanding (including the Darrius Stewart shooting). We expect nothing less than equitable measure to be taken in the name of justice for all parties involved.

We are not anti-police. We are anti-injustice. Again, let us reiterate that it is the collective work of all of our social, civic and ministerial organizations that obtain and sustain freedom, justice, and equal protections under the law. Therefore, we applaud the work of resistance that leads to liberation being carried out by all those who are fighting for freedom and ask them to continue to do so they work to which they are called and compelled. In the words of Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon (in honor of Dr. Ella Baker), “We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.” We have been and will continue to do the work of social justice in this city until freedom comes...for everybody.

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All Hands On Deck: We All Have A Role in the Movement for Black Lives

by Leah C.K. Lewis

A recent Twitter beef occurred when Deray McKesson received a response from presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to discuss racial policy. Activist dream hampton tweeted that this moment should have happened between Sanders and founders of Black Lives Matter. Her response is being cast as a growing divide between the official BLM organizers and other protesters and activists such as McKesson who mobilize locally.

You may perceive me as straddling the fence, but both hampton and McKesson are correct. Any candidate who understands the significance of Black Lives Matters organizational founders, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, will reach out to them for a meeting. This is a reasonable expectation of BLM activists, protesters, and supporters. This is simply the proper and respectful thing to do. On this point, hampton is correct.

Yet, McKesson and any other activists, especially those who have a legitimate contribution to make, have a right—indeed, an obligation—to engage politicians and the political and legislative process. This is what activist do. To attempt to curb the activity of activists is contrary to the very nature of activism. Do you see the irony that such diminishment would pose?

Some may view what McKesson has done as a violation of protocol. As we know, etiquette is not an element of authentic activism. Even so, McKesson’s “challenge” is being viewed as (or actually being) co-opted and/or a foil. His invitation to attend Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign kickoff in New York positioned him (and his nearly 200,000 Twitter followers) as a guest to be courted. Activists are, however, duty-bound to exploit every opportunity and relationship, and must, simultaneously, take care not to be exploited.

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Why #BlackLivesMatter Has to Exist

by Caryn Riswold

When I saw a cluster of white police officers marching up to my neighbor’s house in military fatigues and helmets with large guns at the ready, my first instinct was to grab my camera and take a picture out the kitchen window. I started shooting video as they entered the house, ran around the back, and shepherded the small children who had been playing on the porch just a few minutes earlier out into the yard.

I soon stopped the recording. In many ways, nothing of note happened, other than someone later being taken away in handcuffs and charged with drug possession.

Yet the fact that my instinct was to record what I saw on camera stems almost entirely from an understanding of the problems built in to militarized and overzealous policing. It comes from the fact that we have recently seen example after example of white police officers failing to de-escalate encounters with black citizens, too often ending in the death of those citizens: Sandra Bland, Samuel DuBose, Freddie Gray,Eric Garner, and too many more.

I don’t want to mistrust the police. As a person who benefits from white privilege, I don’t have to. I was raised believing I could and should trust law enforcement. I don’t have to worry about being unfairly targeted while I’m driving or while I’m sitting in my living room. And yet because we have so many examples of blacks being mistreated, unfairly targeted, shot, harassed and otherwise abused by some in law enforcement, my instinct now is to protect my neighbor and turn on my camera.

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#WhiteOutSunday

On Sunday August 30, 2015, local pastors and members of various churches here in Memphis, Tennessee came together across denominational lines to stand against violence. The group marched from City Hall to the Civil Rights Museum. The aim of the march and rally was to "show they are united in taking a stand against crime and violence in Memphis." Estimates on the size of the crowd was about 1000. According to news reports, about 1000 people participated.