the published letter:
If Gov. Davis spent his career defending our rights, why does "driving while black continue? I guess he was never pulled over for being black. It is state-sponsored racism, which the legislature finally addressed, and Davis vetoed the bill. (which would have required police to record the race of drivers they stop).
What's going on up there? Is a little more paperwork really worse than government employees continuing to keep secret a racially divisive and abhorrent (his word!) policy?
Where are the protest marches? Where are the local politicians? Assemblymember Audie Bock and Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown should be going to the mat on this one. Racial profiling is more than abhorrent. it is unconstitutional, and it must be ended.
First it must be admitted. Most of us simply don't know if it is true. Driving while black is late-night racial harassment, by an armed government official with no witnesses. It could only continue if it was secret. The truth must be known.
The veto was uncaring if not racist, and millions of Californians will continue to suffer this treatment, with no evidence because white politicians are oblivious. The governor turned his back. This is one time for some shouting in the ear.
-Sennet Williams
Some additional comments:
I am shocked that Audie Bock is not making a serious issue out of Davis' veto of the racial profiling bill. I think that she could make a big difference on the issue, by calling the Gov. to task on racism. She could also get a lot of good publicity for herself, the concerns of many Oakland voters. She could also promote the Green party, and explain why campaign expenses forced here from the party.
The main thing is that there is a historic chance to start doing something about driving while black, and Davis should not have vetoed it. As a progressive independent, she can campaign loudly against both the Governor and the republicans, because they are ignoring the problem. She can position herself, and the green party, as a champion of minority issues. She was elected to represent us, and she has a unique opportunity to take on both the Democrat and GOP establishments.
Today, Wednesday Oct. 20, the SF Examiner published my letter to the Editor on page A-20. If you like, please cut it out or photocopy it and mail it to Audie Bock. She could make a big issue out of this, and embarrass the demos into passing it. Or you can email it to her, if anyone can provide an email address for her.