November 17, 2000
Letter to the Editor
The Washington Post
Letter to the Editor
The Washington Post
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
November 17, 2000
Dear Editor:
I am writing in regards to the ridiculous police state tactics of Metro Transit Police in apprehending the dangerous French Fry Bandit at Tenleytown-AU.
I find it incredible that not only did this “officer” handcuff and arrest this child, but Chief McDevitt clearly seems to detest her and seems proud of this arrest in the November 16 story in the Post. Such a brave, brave man.
A year ago, while waiting in the Mt. Vernon Square station for a yellow line train to Huntington, I was accosted by an man who picked me solely on the basis of skin color. It started with him announcing loudly to the passengers waiting on the platform that he doesn’t like “white” people and one of the nice passengers pointed out to him that I was sitting on a bench waiting for a train as well. He then walked over to me, leaned over and announced to me that he’d kill me if I said anything. He then announced that he was from Detroit and informed me that “white” people know their place there. As someone who has had a family member murdered, I don’t take death threats lightly and reported this bigot to the station manager. The station manager told him to shut up. That’s it. He then boarded the same train and continued his verbal assault for several stops until he got off at Pentagon City. I get threatened with death, solely on the basis of skin color and all he has to do is shut up. Hmmm.
On the other hand, this 12 year-old girl, with no police record who ate a few french fries gets arrested for her “crime”, but Mr. Detroit gets a way with communicating a death threat? Metro really, really, really needs to get it’s priorities in order. Death threats and intimidation justify arrests in the Metro, children eating french fries do not. Words cannot express how disgusted I am with the treatment of this child. I sincerely hope that this girl will not grow up scared of badges and police officers, but maybe that was the point. Maybe this brave officer felt the need to to intimidate her and show her who’s boss. Maybe it really wasn’t about french fries at all.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
Editor & Publisher,
The Multiracial Activist