FINAL ENTRY 14: Black Ninth Grader is Shot at When Knocking on Detroit Suburb Door for Directions
1. Summary of article – what is article about? (brief – do not tell the entire story)
On a Thursday morning in April, a boy missed his bus to school in Detroit. He set out on foot and got lost. He decided to knock at a door in a neighborhood and ask for directions. Seconds later he was met with a shotgun. As he fled shots were fired. All of this was captured on the owner's security camera footage. It also captured the ninth grade boys race; African American. The man was convicted of a felony charge and faces up to 12 years in prison. The residence fabricated a story about the boy trying to get inside the house but the footage does not back thi up. The residence has been broken into five times in the last ten years and therefore they are on edge. Nothing makes excuse for this, however. This quote perfectly sums up the terrible decision the homeowner made “ [there] shouldn’t be fear of a child, let alone a skin tone,” “This is a decent neighborhood. If anything, why would [one] knock on your door to rob you? Why would [one] have a conversation with you to rob you? It’s ridiculous. Ignorance is everywhere.”
2. How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination?
This story speaks to the racial discrimination that is rampant in the United States. The boy was profiled and thought to be of ill intent without ever having been spoken to. The neighbor committed the same discriminating behavior, calling out to the boy and saying he was trying to break in. This story shows how many Americans still believe that blacks are a lower quality of humans. Crime rates don't define a whole race and people should be treated as people, individuals, not in line with demographic assumptions.
This story speaks to the racial discrimination that is rampant in the United States. The boy was profiled and thought to be of ill intent without ever having been spoken to. The neighbor committed the same discriminating behavior, calling out to the boy and saying he was trying to break in. This story shows how many Americans still believe that blacks are a lower quality of humans. Crime rates don't define a whole race and people should be treated as people, individuals, not in line with demographic assumptions.
3. Who is oppressed?
The 14-year-old young man.
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| The man who was convicted |
The 14-year-old young man.
4. Who is oppressing?
The resident of the house.
The resident of the house.
5. How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved (individual, organization, structural, make argument for other types)?
Racism and class discrimination was very present. The resident individual discriminated against a boy. He claims race did not come into it but my personal experiences tell me this is highly unlikely. I have knocked at thousands of doors in my life and woken up very many people and never once has anyone tried to cause harm to me. The boy was profiled and the man thought he was trying to be robbed. WHo does the robbing? Must be black kids. Here is a black kid, what do we do? Shoot'm! I have actually committed a stereotype there within my summary to illustrate my point. But there was certainly, at the least racial discrimination by the neighbor and it is highly likely that it was also present by the man as well.
Racism and class discrimination was very present. The resident individual discriminated against a boy. He claims race did not come into it but my personal experiences tell me this is highly unlikely. I have knocked at thousands of doors in my life and woken up very many people and never once has anyone tried to cause harm to me. The boy was profiled and the man thought he was trying to be robbed. WHo does the robbing? Must be black kids. Here is a black kid, what do we do? Shoot'm! I have actually committed a stereotype there within my summary to illustrate my point. But there was certainly, at the least racial discrimination by the neighbor and it is highly likely that it was also present by the man as well.
6. Explore the significance in our society. What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society?
The implications are disheartening. It shows firstly that we, as a country, still have progress to make regarding our racial equality situation. It shows how people still can harbor hate in their mind towards people. It also shows that society likes to have us and them mentality. People are uncomfortable admitting that issues lie within themselves and would rather put blame on others as can be seen by the racial discrimination in this case.
The implications are disheartening. It shows firstly that we, as a country, still have progress to make regarding our racial equality situation. It shows how people still can harbor hate in their mind towards people. It also shows that society likes to have us and them mentality. People are uncomfortable admitting that issues lie within themselves and would rather put blame on others as can be seen by the racial discrimination in this case.
7. What was your personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects(s) of your own socialization has led you to this reaction?
I was horrified! I did doorknock for 2 years as a job and never had any issues. I can't imagine the fear the kid felt as he ran away. I also remember the song that we sang at my church. Part of the lyrics were "Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight." I am a Christian, I know many racial atrocities have been committed in the name of religion so I don't make the claim that Christianity, as it exists, is the solution to this problem. I do, however, believe that the teaches of Jesus show that people are equal, truly equal and should be loved and cared for, not discriminated against and shot at.
I was horrified! I did doorknock for 2 years as a job and never had any issues. I can't imagine the fear the kid felt as he ran away. I also remember the song that we sang at my church. Part of the lyrics were "Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight." I am a Christian, I know many racial atrocities have been committed in the name of religion so I don't make the claim that Christianity, as it exists, is the solution to this problem. I do, however, believe that the teaches of Jesus show that people are equal, truly equal and should be loved and cared for, not discriminated against and shot at.
8. What did you learn?
I learned that justice does come to people who commit racial crimes. I learned to follow the piece of advice that says "everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..." Had the man just opened the door and investigated first, no problem would have occurred.
I learned that justice does come to people who commit racial crimes. I learned to follow the piece of advice that says "everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..." Had the man just opened the door and investigated first, no problem would have occurred.
9. How do you think the media represents this story?
From when I first read about the story back in the beginning of the year, I remember wondering if the boy had any criminal record. As is my usual mantra for this question, I wish the media would tell both sides. I can think for myself, give me the facts and I'll draw my own conclusion. When this is accommodated for, then I will be truly informed instead of being spoon fed opinions
From when I first read about the story back in the beginning of the year, I remember wondering if the boy had any criminal record. As is my usual mantra for this question, I wish the media would tell both sides. I can think for myself, give me the facts and I'll draw my own conclusion. When this is accommodated for, then I will be truly informed instead of being spoon fed opinions
10. What was your source?
I read this article on the New York Times website. You can aswell by following this link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/13/us/jeffrey-zeigler-brennan-walker-trial.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FRace%20and%20Ethnicity
I read this article on the New York Times website. You can aswell by following this link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/13/us/jeffrey-zeigler-brennan-walker-trial.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FRace%20and%20Ethnicity
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