'People are beginning to accept that progression toward equity and <strong>justice</strong> starts with a conversation with those that are being marginalized.' Because BLM has forced some police departments to change their techniques and review community relations, Woods says laws will change. “BLM has continued to show the world how people are being treated. BLM is showing people they have power. For instance, voting for a candidate that may help with issues in your community or voting someone out.” <strong>In</strong>deed, last February, outraged voters in Cook County, Ill., and Cuyahoga County, Ohio, ousted veteran prosecutors for their roles in the aftermath <strong>of</strong> the heinous murders <strong>of</strong> Laquan McDonald and Tamir Rice. Ferguson, Mo., voters have also flexed their power. For the first time, the city has almost equal representation on the city council. Martinez also sees BLM having success demanding a higher level <strong>of</strong> transparency and accountability from institutions. BLM VT is compiling narratives from marginalized communities, capturing a comprehensive history <strong>of</strong> the misconduct, discrimination, and prejudice institutions have conducted against these communities. BLM VT and Justice for All are also interviewing local candidates about efforts to hold these institutions accountable if elected. Such transparency and accountability were on display at a community-policing forum this summer in Brattleboro. The event was co-organized by retired NYPD Officer Jose Maldonado Jr. JD’17. Maldonado came to VLS because he wanted to make an impact in the criminal <strong>justice</strong> field. “I became a police <strong>of</strong>ficer after 9/11. I wanted to give back to the community and I hope to continue to do that as a lawyer.” Maldonado is well on his way. During his internship with the Windham County State’s Attorney, he and former victims advocate Patrina Lingard brought citizens, law enforcement, educators and activists together as a response to the Dallas and Baton Rouge shootings. “I think it was a great conversation,” Maldonado says. “You saw citizens talking to police, [saying,] ‘This is what happened, this is what I’ve seen going on,’ and police answering, ‘This is where we are allocating <strong>of</strong>ficers, where we usually try to patrol.” Maldonado says there was an emphasis on positive police interactions in the community, like “shooting hoops with some kids.” Maldonado views the BLM movement as a positive. “The good thing about BLM is they’re bringing issues to the national consciousness. If you look at what happened in the cases <strong>of</strong> [Philando] Castile and [Alton] Sterling, people can see it online and form their own reactions and be out there talking about something very important.” Further, Maldonado says BLM will influence police training. “With the rise <strong>of</strong> social media—people being able to record—that also has got to be in a police <strong>of</strong>ficer’s mind. Everything you say is going to be out there. You have to pay attention to how you conduct yourself, how you do your job, making sure a stop is lawful. You are going to see a lot <strong>of</strong> things brought into training.” Maldonado emphasizes the humanity and diversity <strong>of</strong> police <strong>of</strong>ficers. “Even though we wear blue, we are all races as well. <strong>In</strong> Baton Rouge, Montrell Jackson was a black police <strong>of</strong>ficer. I’m Hispanic and served with a lot <strong>of</strong> minority <strong>of</strong>ficers. We’re all different races. These heroes wanted to go home. It’s a tough job and sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice.” It remains to be seen what will be the long-term legal implications <strong>of</strong> BLM. Will the movement effect substantive and/or procedural change? We’ve already seen change in some policing procedures, e.g. body cameras, and a willingness among some prosecutors to bring charges against <strong>of</strong>ficers who use deadly force without valid justification. But what is clear and seems unlikely to fade is the sense that the system does not present a level playing field for people <strong>of</strong> color in this country. Cirri Nottage is a writer, educator and producer whose work includes film and video, lecturing in film and media, African and African-American studies and women’s and gender studies, and writing for digital and print publications. LOQUITUR 28
Adobe Stock <strong>In</strong> Search <strong>of</strong> Justice A GALLERY <strong>of</strong> VLS Alumni By Kathryn Flagg
Change language