by Karl Flecker

During a recent talent show at my daughter's school, a classmate quietly sang the words of a popular song Ñ "Be as." The song encourages children to be proud of who they are Ñ no matter what colour. Her quiet but earnest rendition was difficult to hear in the large auditorium filled with excited kids and proud parents. The song tells kids not be fearful about different parts of their identity. It's a nice song, it's comforting to hear it sung by children Ñ but lately it's too difficult to really hear the words. Not because of the lousy acoustics in the gym, but because of defensively shrill statements being made in the media and by city police denying the presence of systemic racism.

In the recent "high-risk takedown" of children Ñ children of colour Ñ city police deny any racially based wrongdoing on their behalf. Adding to their din of denial is the egregious story by reporter Karen Smith of Kingston This Week, from the perspective of the person that triggered the event.

On the basis of a 911 call made by a woman who felt threatened, police were dispatched to serve and protect. Four police cars, five cops and the canine unit executed a guns and cuffs takedown of three children. Two of three were black kids, driving their dad's car, the car that the media reportedly feels is important to report as a "2000 Mercedes." Is that detail placed in the story to subtly imply cause for suspicion? Is there a reason why children of colour could not legitimately be driving such a vehicle?

The 911 caller claims regret about what happened but would do it all over again. She is glad the police acted as they did to protect her from potential harm. The source of this potential harm is defined simply Ñ black males, be they children or adults. It really doesn't matter to her or, apparently, to Karen Smith and Kingston This Week. The 911 caller admits she mistakenly identified persons whom she thought were a threat by virtue of their colour and make of car. She admits it was very dark when she made the call. She admits not seeing the third person Ñ a young white girl.

According to Chief of Police Closs, racism was not at the root of the incident. Chief Closs is in denial. Only after the families challenged police was a formal apology issued. Meanwhile we know that, on the basis of driving while black, children of colour should be prepared for the possibility of experiencing a "high-risk takedown."

Parents of children of colour felt the terror of this experience; as did our friends who are white, who associate with us and our children. We all want to keep our children inside, safe forever. We can'tdo that, of course, so we need to prepare our children for the next time they can be cuffed, held at gunpoint or detained. And they should be prepared not to expect an immediate apology or explanation. Do not expect that as a parent you can explain to the police holding a gun to your child's head that the boy in their sights is a child Ñ your child. All you can expect is a formal assurance that racism is not at the root of such terror, and you can expect this situation can happen again Ñ because it will, it can, it does. Why? Because systemic racism is real.

Karen Smith's article reinforces it. Chief Closs's denial reinforces it. An investigation of the incident is underway by the Ontario Provincial Police. We must wait for any recommendations or suggestions to wind their way through the Police Service Board. What will the investigation do? What questions will be asked, what honest answers will be provided?

Will we learn if and when the police ran a check on the license plates of the car in question against any plates associated with the known threat facing the 911 caller?

Will we learn if and when the police compared height and weight descriptions provided to them with the reality of the teens in front of their gun sights?

Will we learn why the police felt the black parent of one of the children needed to be kept away from the officers?

Will the officers be asked if they thought it suspicious that young black kids could be legitimately driving a 2000 Mercedes?

Will we learn when and if the police offered any victim assistance to the terrorized children and their families?

Will we learn why the officers themselves could not say to the children they terrorized Ñ I'm sorry?

Will we be able to make an effort to repair the damage done to our children?

What can we do to teach our children who will protect them and who to fear? Will we learn what it takes to show courage as a community, to admit the existence of systemic racism in our thinking, in our collective actions? Or will we hide behind procedures, denials, and uniforms of power and dubious expressions of regret?