NY vigil marks 20 years since Yusuf Hawkins murder

[Number23]

I remember this. I remember him.

NY vigil marks 20 years since Yusuf Hawkins murder

In 1989, after a white mob attacked and killed a black teenager in Brooklyn, the Rev. Al Sharpton led black demonstrators down streets where angry whites confronted them, yelling obscenities and throwing bricks and watermelons their way.

..."People talk about the civil movement in the South but there was a significant movement in the North," Sharpton said on Sunday. "It started in 1989 with Yusuf Hawkins."

Eight people were tried for the attack; five were convicted but only three were sentenced to prison time. Attention centered on Joseph Fama, then 18, and Keith Mondello, then 19, who were said to have been the leaders of the mob.

Mondello was released in 1998 after spending eight years in prison. Upon his release, he met with Hawkins' father, the late Moses Stewart, and also sent a three-page letter to the family asking for forgiveness.

The punishment for cold blooded murder is 8 years in prison. People get more time for mail fraud. Unbelievable how little a black life is worth.

[cyndensco]

1. That was Bensonhurst, right?

I remember too...Rev. Al in his jogging suit and James Brown coif leading the march, while the hate-filled, jeering Brooklynites spat at him and the newscasters portrayed him as some sort of kook. My respect for Sharpton grew exponentially then.

It's funny 23, I had a different reaction to the prison term the murderer served. I was pleased to read he had served 8 years. Hell, I was pleased to see any were charged at all. Based on what I know of the american "justice" system, that was a pretty harsh sentence for a white guy.

Lady Liberty is definitely not colorblind.

[Number23]

2. That's a fair point.

I was pleased to read he had served 8 years. Hell, I was pleased to see any were charged at all.

That's actually a good point. I had someone on this site tell me just yesterday that "the cops who beat Rodney King were acquitted by a court of law" so as far as they were concerned, that was it. They were obviously not guilty if a jury acquitted them. Just forget what you saw on the video.

This country has such a horrible record of racial injustice in sentencing. The fact that this man served any time at all does count for something. Although it makes me wonder how Yusuf Hawkin's family feels about the 8 years he got for killing their son in cold blood and for no reason.

[cyndensco]

3. Long live the double standard.

"the cops who beat Rodney King were acquitted by a court of law" so as far as they were concerned, that was it.

Shouldn't that logic apply to OJ?*

And Michael Vick! I am soooo tired of folk complaining that he is out of prison AND the NFL is allowing him to play. I do not like what he did but am not convinced it was worthy of jail time. I AM convinced that he served his time, "repaid his debt to society," and should be able to follow his dreams. I only wish other black men had the same opportunity.

Did you see there is another Gates-type incident that happened in Baltimore over the weekend? Another black man (pro-football player) falsely accused - this time of carrying a gun - and after the cop determined he did not have a weapon, arrested him! It is in an open thread (I know I can't link it) but it has my blood boiling! That shit happens every day but every so often the cops f*ck up and arrest the wrong brother.

Oh, and just for clarification, I cannot imagine the Hawkins family being satisfied that their son's killer served only 8 years. It is beyond unjust.

*One of these days I hope we have an example of a black man beating the system other than OJ.

[Number23]

4. No! I haven't see the thread about the incident in Baltimore.

I'm not even sure I want to! ;) I don't even want to know the made up "charges" the cop came up with to arrest the man, but you can bet that no matter how stupid or far-fetched they are, there will be someone on DU who will eat it up with a spoon and chastise everyone else for daring to question the police. The stuff I've seen on DU has really reinforced some negative ideals I've had about Democrats all along.

Sure, Dems are light years ahead of Republicans on issues of decency, fairness and human rights, but they still have a long way to go. Racism is just too pervasive in our society for the head in the clouds ideals I see of so many white Dems here who refuse to believe that Democrats can be just as racist and/or racially clueless as Repubs. This is AMERICA, and one thing this country has always known is racism. This idea that racism is only confined to one party or to one region (the South) is too much for me to take.

[cyndensco]

7. The Baltimore story is in Latest Breaking News.

The charge is assaulting a police officer and yes, it is a Gates-esque argument.


Talking about trumped-up charges, though, this one takes the cake: Marion Barry, working as a community organizer in the late 60's, was arrested for Dissemination of African Culture. :rofl:

If you have HBO in Australia, The Nine Lives of Marion Barry is playing On Demand. It is definitely worth the time - lots of DC history and Barry was impressive, and effective, in his younger days.

[Number23]

8. No, we don't have HBO in Australia but that sounds fascinating

It's interesting me how "eclectic" our leaders can be, isn't it?? :)

You mentioned Rev. Al and how your respect for him grew after his protests in Bensonhurst. There are times that Al Sharpton makes me want to throw every single shoe I have at him and then there are times when there is NO ONE I'd rather have on my side.

Marion Barry is about as grotesque as anyone can be to me but now you're saying he was impressive in his younger days and it's entirely possible that he was. Maybe it's that these people don't know when to step out of the spotlight?? They stay in for so long that they just become corrupted by the adulation and fame. Drunk off of the power.

Whatever it was, no matter how impressive and how much potential Marion may have had when he was younger, I think it's safe to say that it's been pretty well squandered now. But do you know that to this day there are pockets of DC where the people LOVE him and always will???

[cyndensco]

11. Marion Barry was on a news show a couple of days before his documentary aired

and I found him repulsive. His behavior during the interview cemented my impression of him: egocentric, pompous, and totally unwilling to take responsibility for any of his actions. The PTB spent thousands to frame him, he claimed, and judging from his demeanor I believe he thinks they stuck the coke up his nose.

The documentary presented a side of Barry I did not know. He earned a Masters of Science in Chemistry and was working on a doctorate when he became involved in DC politics. He co founded Pride, Inc. - a program which provided job training to unemployed black men and was presented as being very successful.

He accomplished more, according to the documentary, but I do not want to appear a cheerleader for Barry. It is incredible so many in DC still support him - in much of the recent footage, he was treated like a rock star. I don't get it. I agree with you, it is best to go out when you are on top - he should have retired decades ago.

As for Sharpton, I do respect him but understand why others do not. I am happy he actively exposes injustice (like Jena) and kind of like that he rubs white folk the wrong way.

[Fire1]

5. "the cops who beat Rodney King were acquitted by a court of law"

so as far as they were concerned, that was it." Did that apply to Michael Jackson? NO!! He was a pedophile, regardless. Don't get me started.

[cyndensco]

6. Of course! Michael Jackson!

(And I admit it, I don't want to get YOU started). :D

[angee_is_mad]

9. I remember it like it was yesterday

I was attending a HBCU and the whole campus was in an uproar about this.

[Number23]

10. I think one of the reasons I remember it so clearly is because Yusuf and I were the same age

I was growing up in Atlanta hearing constantly how racist the South was in the national media and here was this beautiful black boy in NY getting beaten by a mob and killed for absolutely nothing.

His story was mentioned in several hip hop tracks too. Public Enemy referenced it in Welcome to the Terrordome.

"First nothing's worse than a mother's pain
Of a son slain in Bensonhurst..."

http://www.publicenemy.com/index.php?page=page5&item=3&num=60

[angee_is_mad]

13. Chubb Rock also

mentioned it in a rap. That was the jam back in the day.

Maybe I'm getting old and out of it, but it seem like the teens and young adults had a more activist spirit back then. It seems that Obama has been the only one in almost 20 years to get them excited about a cause.
Of course there are always a few who are active, but I'm talking about the masses. Back in the 80s everyone on campus had an opinion and knew what was going on. At least it seem that way.

[firedupdem]

14. You're so right Angee...

Chubb Rock did have his name in a rap. I was in college in the mid 80's and things did seem a bit different.

[Blue_Tires]

12. also coincident with the 20th anniversary of "Do The Right Thing"

[Number23]

15. Yep. And of course "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy. Thanks, Blue.