Will the Real Racist Please Stand Up?

by Steve Whisler

Delegate Emmett Burns, an African American Democrat who represents Maryland’s 10th legislative district, held a “hearing” on January 8, 2007, in Woodlawn. The “hearing” related to whether police in Woodlawn’s 2nd Precinct exhibit racist and rude behavior to the citizenry. Delegate Burns convened his “hearing” after a constituent claimed she was the victim of police intimidation tactics and racism.

According to Barry Barber, the 2nd Precinct Police Captain, the officer was cleared of any wrongdoing by an internal investigation and external review by a court commissioner. Police claim the constituent and two family members were uncooperative and used racial overtones and vulgar language in front of police and paramedics. Essentially a he-said she-said scenario, Burns suggested this incident coupled with other complaints he has received is enough evidence for him that Woodlawn police are guilty of racism. I asked the delegate whether he had any statistical or empirical evidence to back up these extremely serious charges. After all, it was a “hearing,” right?

Instead of presenting any factual evidence or data, he became irate and attacked me claiming that I as a white person cannot begin to comprehend what he and other blacks endure as it relates to police intimidation and/or racist activity. I wonder what the delegate’s response would have been if a person of color had asked the very same question. What factual evidence did he have to suggest that our police are racists? He offered no data or evidence – only an emotionally charged reaction to an honest question. Nevertheless, this was Delegate Burns’ “hearing” … he declared me out of order and demanded that I sit down and be quiet.

Earlier in the hearing, Delegate Burns suggested, “. . . blacks must respect police officers because they have guns, a badge, and the power to lock you up.” I suggested to the delegate that we should respect police officers because they risk their lives each and everyday to maintain public order and safety -- that I'm proud of their efforts in my community and that we should give them the benefit of the doubt. I truly wonder why the delegate used such inflammatory language at his so-called “hearing.” I would expect an elected official to take a more tempered stance to investigate all sides of the issue … not pass judgment and use his position to pander to potential voters who will swallow his anecdotal rhetoric.

Delegate Burns’ “hearing” was a spectacle that offered him a pulpit to deride police officers and paint them as a group in need of sensitivity training. Perhaps he wanted us to think that we need him to step in and save us all from our racist police officers. The delegate was the judge, prosecutor, and jury, and it was a terrible shame that a person elected to represent every single constituent in the 10th district did very little to search out the perceptions of how other communities perceive police conduct.

Before the “hearing,” the delegate offered his plans for the upcoming legislative session and asked for community input on what issues he should champion in Annapolis. The delegate showed is own racism when he responded to a few citizens’ concerns that Arabs and Asians were taking over many businesses in the district. Delegate Burns said, “If we’re not careful, too many foreigners will buy our stores and we’ll be buying items from Iraqis.” The delegate claimed that blacks might not be given equal consideration for owning and operating businesses in his district. He knows all too well that a Muslim, Asian, or any other foreigner is not offered preferential treatment to jumpstart business opportunities in his district. He merely allowed the notion to fester with the 15 to 20 people who attended his meeting.

As we approach Martin Luther King Day, it is unfortunate that Delegate Burns has forgotten Dr. King’s philosophy to look past a person’s skin color or heritage and rely on the content of their character. I applaud the delegate for exercising oversight of the police force to ensure they perform in an ethical and professional manner. However, the delegate’s actions at his “hearing” highlighted his own prejudicial demons and an inability to pursue the truth -- he is intent on relying on conjecture, he-said she-said scenarios, and a lack of facts. We all deserve much better from an elected official.

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Steve Whisler is President of the Westview Improvement & Civic Association, one of Baltimore County’s largest community organizations with nearly 1800 homes. Steve is also a doctoral candidate with the University of Phoenix and the vice president of a defense-contracting firm's east coast division.

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