The Leader

Stunned. Shocked. Disbelief. Anyone who was breathing in Milwaukee this past weekend at some point heard any one of these words in a conversation regarding the not-guilty verdict that was reached in the Frank Jude Jr. case. There seems to be so much blame to go around-except for the judge-who was refreshingly balanced during the entire case. Surprisingly, as if this city is being watched over by some higher power, there was no knee-jerk, violent reaction to the outcome that many expected in the wake of this very troubling and disturbing conclusion to a very heated case.

Every citizen of this city who has followed the case knows with certainty that a crime against Jude had taken place. But from my perspective, there was another crime that took place that evening. During a party at the house of former dirty cop Andrew Spengler, the crime of being a person of color was given swift punishment without the benefit of a trial. It was not the first time such "justice" has been handed down by a racist police officer in this country.

If ever something was about race, this case is a clear template for the very real ways in which some people in our society still place value and worth on individuals based on skin color. Add to that a sexual element and all the ingredients combine for rampant, bigoted behavior.

Ask any man of color in this city or country what happens when he is seen with a white woman, and the answer is always the same. The stares never stop. At a party or bar where alcohol is being consumed, some racist white guy starts feeling squirrelly, and the next thing you know it's a lunch counter in Birmingham all over again.

Why? Because the lie that black men are after the 'pure, innocent white woman' still has life in American society. The Jude case was not about police brutality, it was about a lie that some ignorant, white males still hold as absolute truth.

There is also room for much concern over how the office of E. Michael McCann handled this case. From the beginning, the District Attorney's office failed to aggressively pursue the guilty in this case. This case was full of lies and deceit without anyone being held accountable for such blatant displays of the now-famous phrase, "police code of silence".

Well, McCann should take notes from Federal Prosecutor Steven Biskupic if he finds enough evidence through his investigation to bring federal charges against anyone who contributed to the violation of Jude's civil rights. Whereas McCann raised his hands in disbelief during his investigation as the inmates ran the asylum, Biskupic will not tolerate any form of obstruction-and there is not one thing that the Police Union will be able to do to stop him.

Forget the three little fish that McCann went after. It would not surprise me if many more former and current officers face federal charges unless they start behaving like legitimate law enforcement officials.

But back to the real Milwaukee citizens. As protests and demonstrations begin to get organized, there is a pride coming from the black community that needs to be commended. Although anger is an understatement, the fact that emotional responses have been avoided speaks volumes for a community that very much has the right to engage in behaviors of frustration.

The exact opposite has happened, and for that I am very proud. Pride has overcome anger, and is contributing to a sense of community involvement that has been gone from this city for a very long time. People of all colors have come out to show that this city is not going to participate in the racial divide any longer. And that is how it has always been in this country. As the voices grow louder and stronger against injustice, society inevitability changes and improves for the better. Watch these events closely, for this might be another one of those important historical and watershed moments, right here in this city.

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