On June 22,2000 two worlds of different culture and views sat down to discuss something that has enraged and stirred the hearts of both young people and old. People of the Black and Hispanic community sat down to discuss the issue of police brutality, and how the world of both law and order, and the Black and Hispanic communities can coexist peacefully with a hint of respect and understanding for each other's minds and views. Finally, after so many years of tension and conflict, and precious lives erased by the miseducation , misunderstanding and the carelessness media of todayÕs world, the youth got a chance to speak.

It all took place at the community forum on 112th street between Fifth and Madison the location for youth action programs and homes, Inc a program about teens building homes for the homeless. At first it was a small crowd of people inside who were eager to get started .

No one had to even speak to know that people were curious as well as furious and they wanted some answers from the police who for them had caused a lot of grief and turmoil. The air was filled with a sense of readiness and impatience. Starting off things was the co coordinator for this big event, Raquel Crawford. She had been inspirational in spreading the word of the event and getting things started. She first thanked everyone for showing up and supporting the event, and then she got right down to buisness. She introduced her co coordinator Mr. Calvin Cotton. Together they controlled the tempo of things,as questions were mounting up in peoples heads. A black muslim leader by the name of Iman Pasha took the questions from the curious youth .

He shared his experiences as a youth about how he dealt with the cops when he was stopped and the proper way to address the cops when stopped. For instance if a cop stops you to ask you some questions, Iman says you should adress the police man in a very polite way and cooperate with him. Many of the youth agreed on that, but for some it arouse some questions on certain maters concerning passed experience. Many of the youth I spoke with did not want to give their names but they had a lot to say at the meeting.

The things that many of the youth had to say was very disturbing. For instance one youth said that one day he just got paid and a cop approached him and took his money . The youth who did not reveal his name later reported it to the guest police captain. Another youth said that he just got out of jail but certain cops are still harassing him around his block, he wishes they would stop, but they keep on harassing him. In fact many of the youths felt the same way about cops and expressed that it isnÕt just about the respect that the cops feel they arenÕt getting, but the fact the cops donÕt ease up enough. Since there wasnÕt any cops there to defend against the angry youths there was pretty much a sense of mutual feelings toward the police department. It wasnÕt until much later that captain Rogers of the 125th precinct came in to stand up and answer questions. While he was there the same questions and stories were retold to him and he did his best to answer them.

He had his own opinion on the matter and expressed it then saying "cops are only in the area if someone calls," and if they are on patrol the fact that cops stop a lot of minorities is not because they think that all minorities are committing some crime. It is the fact that most of the crimes are commited by them. It has become more and more true in the past few years, however it does mean cops are thinking like that when they go out there. They try their best to treat everyone with the same respect they would want. After saying it was agreed that both worlds of the police and young people needed to communicate more. Captain Rogers said that there have been many programs that were used for the purpose of bringing the youth and police more and more together.

The only thing is that the kids involved in the program were not kids like the ones who had problems with cops, but kids who were just looking for something to do. So one of the leaders who also did not want his name revealed sugessted that the cops come up with a meeting where the youth can share their experiences with the cops, and get to know some of the men and women of the police department. Captain Rogers okayed the idea and gave them a number where it could be set up. The number was (212) 860-6526. He mentioned that two of his cops, Rose Patterson and Steve Flores whom he holds up in high regards would answer the phone and take down their ideas. Everyone agreed, and Calvin and Raquel adjourned the meeting.

I agreedon the matter cause I know the only way things would be better between the police department and the young minorities is if they communicate and try to understand each other. This one step may seem to many people only a small one, but such a step can lead towards a better tommorrow. A better tomorrow in thesense there will be some peace and understanding between them and that kind of progress will save and prevent a lot of heart aches and funerals.