It was a money in the bank kind of case. The evidence was overwhelming. It was like having somebody steal something and catching it on video tape and finding the suspects’ finger prints all over the place. That’s how clear the evidence was. That is why it is so hard for people both in and out of the Black community to under stand how officer Charles Schwarz escaped the hands of justice.

It is understandable why people in the Black community would be in a uproar. This case shocked the city along with the other cases such as the shooting of Amadu Diallo and Patrick Dorrismond. This case put thoughts into the already fearful minds of Black citizens. When the violation of Abner Louima happened, my friends and I were always afraid how far a cop would go just to have ‘fun.’ The one thing that every one knew was fact was somebody had to pay for this vile act. Justin Volpe was put away for 30 years and that’s good but somebody had to have been holding Louima down in that bathroom. No man possessing muscle and pride would have just let this happen. Somebody had to have been holding him. So, if it was not Charles Schwarz, then who was it?

It is a classic slap in the face for the Black community. This overturning of the sentences is telling every Black citizen that because a man holds the shield of the police department, he is able to hide away from justice simply by playing on the stereo type that cops are the good guys. There used to be a time when that was believed but now, can that be said? Trade Center or no World Trade Center wrong is wrong. The same cops who saved lives at the World Trade Center are human just like you and me. Therefore they also lie when they have to. They too will indulge in pleasures right or wrong and they too will abuse power if they do not have self-control and morals. Even though Mrs. Schwarz says that her husband did not do this crime, can she herself be sure.? Can she really speak for her husband? Of course it is understandable she did her best to free him. After all ,it is the man she loves. But if the situation were reversed and she was the victim’s wife or even the victim herself, would she not go as far as she could to bring all who were responsible to justice? This is the way it is in this state. justice has yet to reveal itself to the Black community this is definitely strike one for the new year when it comes to justice for the African American community.

The Rev Al Sharpton has promised civil disobedience and the president of the 100 Black Law Enforcers came out yesterday with knife in a press conference striking the clear air saying “This verdict is a stab in the back.” . Now, if you were apart of race that has been oppressed for centuries maybe you, too, would consider this a slap in the face and a stab in the back.