Miami’s special police car for Black History Month sparks backlash: NPR

When Miami officials introduced a special police car in honor of Black History Month, it was met with applause and applause. But it turned out that the fanfare did not last long.

The newly designed cruiser has been under fire since its debut on Thursday, critics calling it deaf and untimely in light of Tyre Nichols’ brutal beating by police in Memphis, Tennessee, last month. Others have described it as an empty gesture, trying to minimize the struggles of the black community.

“Miami’s police car misses the mark in celebrating black history by highlighting the wrong continent,” Florida Rep. Doty Joseph, who serves parts of Miami, told NPR.

The cruiser was unveiled along with a Black History Month badge on Thursday in front of the city’s police station and courthouse museum. A few days earlier, another black commemorative patrol car caused a backlash in Columbus, Ohio.

This isn’t the first time law enforcement has created a themed cruiser in Miami. Special patrol cars were made for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Autism Awareness and Hispanic Heritage Month.

“In keeping with tradition, we had a lot of officers and members come up to us and say, ‘Hey, why don’t we have one for Black History,'” Miami Police Sgt. Stanley Jean-Poix said at Friday’s panel in response to criticism.

He added that no tax dollars went into funding the cruiser, but instead it was paid for by the Miami Police Benevolent Association.

The artist says the cruiser’s design was a symbol of unity and respect for Africa.

Unlike the typical Miami police car, which is mostly white with a dark green stripe and yellow lettering, this special version is painted black with red, yellow, and green stripes, colors commonly used to represent Pan-African solidarity.

The car is also adorned with four raised fists, an outline of the African continent, and the words “Miami Police Support Black History Month.”

Lavish N. Looney (Lump), the Miami-based artist who created the special design for the patrol car, said that unity and homage to Africa were the main themes in the artwork. He said he reviewed several designs before the version was completed, adding that earlier designs included images of Martin Luther King Jr. and former President Barack Obama.

Lump said he was standing by the police car, despite some of the backlash it received.

“Two things can exist at the same time,” Lump told NPR. “More work can be done between the police department and civilians as cops and civilians come together to celebrate black history.”

Lump said he grew up in a community where people “were not fans of the police,” so he understands that patrol cars can be intimidating. He hopes this cruiser will become more accessible to members of the community.

Critics accuse the police department of ignoring real issues that matter to the black community.

However, some have seen the city’s efforts as disingenuous, arguing that they overlook the real issues facing the black community, such as the state’s ban on African American proficiency in high schools.

“As unfortunate as this mistake is, the black community has big problems,” said Joseph, a state MP. “If any elected official claims to be a ‘friend’ of any black person or the black community as a whole, then now is not the time to be silent.”

Others on social media noted that the city has remained silent on the death of Antwon Cooper, who was shot and killed by Miami police in March. Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office said it would not press charges against the officer involved in the shooting.

The patrol car was designed in memory of Miami’s first black police officers during segregation.

Miami police officials said the cruiser had a special message: It was made to honor the city’s first black officers, some of whom were in attendance this week.

“This is our way of honoring the memory of the first five officers who suffered injustice, prejudice, resistance in 1944 and still responded to the draft,” Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said Friday.

Miami did not hire black police officers until 1944. The first generation of black police officers worked in a separate precinct building that had a courtroom specifically for black judges.

At the time, black officers were only allowed to arrest black civilians and had no power over white residents. It wasn’t until 1963 that black law enforcement was finally integrated into the city’s police headquarters, and the precinct was abolished and later turned into a memorial museum.

Lieutenant Ramon Carr said he understands some of the criticism over the timing but defends the theme cruiser’s intentions.

“It had nothing to do with disrespect or shame. It was something of a source of pride for us and still is,” Carr said.

City Commissioner Christine King, who represents the area where the car was unveiled, told NPR she believes the car was developed in good faith, adding that it had been in development for over a year.

“The intention is to honor and respect our black police officers and their service. However, I understand that our country is in mourning, and the opening is not timely,” King said.

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