On December 9, 2007, the President and Executive Director of the Westchester Chapter of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) were guests on the Final Call Radio Show on WVOX 1460 AM hosted by Brother Arthur Muhammad. The topic of the show centered around police brutality and misconduct, the December 7th 100 Positive Black Men Rally at Mt. Vernon High School and black men being responsible for today’s youth.
In studio with Brother Arthur was Damon K. Jones, Executive Director of the Westchester NBPA, and two Mt. Vernon High School students that attended the 100 positive black men rally. The Westchester NBPA President, Sterling Dixson, joined the discussion via phone.
Prompted by the Westchester NBPA’s partnership with the Yonkers’ NAACP to address the ongoing police brutality and misconduct in the Yonkers’ community, Brother Arthur asked Mr. Jones why the NBPA was offering its support.
“The NAACP has historically worked for the betterment of our community. As men, black men, we could not sit back and allow our sister, Karen Edmonson [the president of the Yonkers Chapter] to stand alone. The people of Westchester need to see that she has the support of the black law enforcement community” Mr. Jones said
President Dixson, a long time resident of Yonkers, added that “police brutality is part of the history of Yonkers police” something that he witnessed as a child growing up in the Slow Balms Projects.
Brother Arthur asked President Dixson about the cross burning incident in Cortland and his position on racism in Westchester. He responded with “I am a product of the school desegregation suit in Yonkers. I remember being bussed to school and adults standing with banners and posters saying go back to where you came from. It felt like I was in the 50’s and 60’s. Yes, racism still exists in Westchester. More than we want to admit it.”
In studio with Brother Arthur was Damon K. Jones, Executive Director of the Westchester NBPA, and two Mt. Vernon High School students that attended the 100 positive black men rally. The Westchester NBPA President, Sterling Dixson, joined the discussion via phone.
Prompted by the Westchester NBPA’s partnership with the Yonkers’ NAACP to address the ongoing police brutality and misconduct in the Yonkers’ community, Brother Arthur asked Mr. Jones why the NBPA was offering its support.
“The NAACP has historically worked for the betterment of our community. As men, black men, we could not sit back and allow our sister, Karen Edmonson [the president of the Yonkers Chapter] to stand alone. The people of Westchester need to see that she has the support of the black law enforcement community” Mr. Jones said
President Dixson, a long time resident of Yonkers, added that “police brutality is part of the history of Yonkers police” something that he witnessed as a child growing up in the Slow Balms Projects.
Brother Arthur asked President Dixson about the cross burning incident in Cortland and his position on racism in Westchester. He responded with “I am a product of the school desegregation suit in Yonkers. I remember being bussed to school and adults standing with banners and posters saying go back to where you came from. It felt like I was in the 50’s and 60’s. Yes, racism still exists in Westchester. More than we want to admit it.”
BLACKWATCH
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