You Have the Right to Remain Oppressed

"Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary's life. When one commits oneself to the struggle, it must be for a lifetime." - Angela Davis.

On Monday, October 23, 2006, at approximately 5:30 pm, I walked into the Liberty Avenue train station in East New York. I had several bags in my hand and was slightly discombobulated after a long day at school, for I am a New York City public school teacher. As I looked through my wallet, I realized that I had to buy a metrocard. I went to the token booth and purchased a card from the token booth clerk. Afterwards, with two bags in both hands, I maneuvered my way towards the turn style. I pulled out my metrocard, and swiped, but apparently another card fell at the same time. The officer all the way on the other end of the turnstyle (approximately 25 feet away) signaled that I dropped one of my cards. I willingly picked up the card that was on the ground and continued on my merry way. Before I knew it, as I was headed towards the Manhattan side for the C train, I saw the larger Caucasian officer coming towards me. I didn't understand why he was coming towards me, so I continued to walk. He kept telling me to stop, so when I stopped, I replied "excuse me, I am trying to catch the train". I said this with certainty, because I knew that I hadn't done anything wrong and I definitely couldn't have committed any crimes in the thirty seconds that had passed between me swiping my metrocard, and trying to make it in time to catch the train.

Instead of the officer openly explaining to me exactly what the problem was, he proceeded to become very aggressive, moving his large body towards mine, insisting that I littered. First of all, I readily picked up the card that I dropped. The officer claimed that I dropped another, which I didn't see, hence my reason for being surprised at his rather inappropriate and unnecessary behavior.

"Gimme your ID" he retorted in a mocking tone.

"No" I replied.

I didn't understand why this officer would need my ID when I didn't do anything at all. He then immediately took out his handcuffs and threatened to arrest me! I was appalled by this obstruction of justice and abuse of power. First of all, how could someone who is supposed to protect me, so readily be willing to threaten me? (Trust me, I say that with the least bit of shock or surprise) Secondly, the officer attempted in every way to intimidate me with his large body and his handcuffs, both of which didn't scare me, because I am fully aware of my rights as a citizen of this country as well as a resident of New York City for all of my natural life. He continued to hold his black handcuffs towards my face as I stood there, in the train station, feeling humiliated: 1) because I didn't do anything wrong and 2) because I was in the vicinity of my job. How dare this police officer try to strip me of my character and my morality? I have never in my entire life, felt so humiliated and disrespected in every way. I have never had any violation in my life, nor have I have ever been arrested. I am a law-abiding citizen of this country, and an educator at that. The officer is a complete disgrace to the New York City Police Department and one of the main reasons why many people, especially those of color, do not feel safe in this city. I felt as if I was targeted because I was a Black woman in a poor community. Would the same treatment apply if I were a White woman on the east side of Manhattan?

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I saw one of my colleagues entering the train station, as I stood there waiting for the officer to write my summons. I realized that he was taking extremely long, because I had already been standing there for fifteen minutes. He continued to write as several trains went by. When my colleague saw me, she was shocked and immediately asked what was wrong. I explained to her that I was being held because the officer said I littered. She couldn't believe it and decided to stand there and wait with me until this summons, which seemed more like the revised constitution of the United States of America, was finished.

Finally after he was done, the officer approached me and handed me not one, but two summonses! I just looked at him in a calm manner as he condescendingly stated: "I gave you one summons for littering and another for refusing to show ID." I couldn't believe his further abuse of power! He looked at me with a sly smirk on his face, as if I had no power at all! I couldn't believe this! I wanted to call every government official in New York City and report this man right away. I took my two summonses the officer further stated: "Get out of my face" as if I were scum on the side of the street. How dare this man talk to me in this verbally abusive manner? He doesn't know me or who I am! I am a teacher, a writer and an upstanding citizen. How dare this police officer, that is supposed to uphold the law, speak to me in such a patronizing tone? Is that what someone in power does? I must admit, I wanted to tell him just how much I appreciated his comment, but I refrained because I already got the impression that he would arrest me for no reason at all, and then turn around and lie about it.

As I finally headed downstairs to catch the train, I couldn't help but cry. I cried because of the injustice, the obstruction of power and the lewd nature of what had happened to me, an innocent person attempting to get to my final destination. I was treated like a pure criminal- me, someone who has never committed a crime in my life. While crime was probably being committed on the streets, there I was, being harassed by a New York City Police officer, for something that might have slipped out of my purse! Fair? Equitable? I think not. And yes, I do want an apology! This is a battle started by one ignorant officer, but one that I will end, by any means necessary!!!

"Only the strong go crazy. The weak just go along."- Assata Shakur