Get Mad !

For anyone who is still stewing over the Sean Bell verdict, this speech from "Network" (1976) is so relevant today.

More Judiciary Fuckery

The verdict came in for the Sean Bell trial this morning. And not surprisingly, the three officers on trial for murdering Sean Bell were acquitted of all charges. The case was decided by bench trial (rather than by a jury) and despite the facts (50 shots fired at an unarmed man) the judge ruled in favor of the officers.

In 2006, Bell was shot over 50 times by the three plainclothes NYPD detectives the night before his wedding day. According to several accounts, the shooting resulted from an argument between one of the undercover officers and some of Bell's associates in a strip club that night. Witnesses stated that the officers never identified themselves as they approached Sean Bell's car that night with guns drawn. They then proceeded to light up Bell's car with 50 shots. 50 motherfucking shots - that means that the officers unloaded their clips and reloaded to an unarmed man.

The trial is emblematic of the long-standing antagonistic relationship between the police and communities of color. The shooting death of Sean Bell has inevitably been compared to the case of Amadou Diallo in 1999. Issues of racial profiling, police brutality and institutional violence need to be seriously addressed. The treatment of such cases only increases the tension between communities and the police, paving way for idiotic notions as the Stop Snitchin campaign. Such complete lack of accountability on the police departments is an outrage, it only serves to build tensions between many communities and the police in the area.

For anyone that wants to be heard or show support, a protest is planned for this afternoon at 5:30 in front of the Queens County DA's office at 125-01 Queens Blvd (between Hoover Ave and 82nd Ave). Come out and let them know what you think of this bullshit.

Another Hopemonger Post

A friend (thanks beginnermind) sent me this pro-Obama song that seriously rocks my socks. It's by FMB (Fire Magic Blood), which consists of Daedelus and Taz Arnold & Shafiq Husayn from Sa-Ra.

Download: Vote Obama (blatantly swiped from Keepin It Right Radio)

Sorry that Our Beats Rhymes and Life has seemed like more of a Barack Obama blog recently than one dedicated to social commentary and social justice. Dude is just so damn inspiring.