Jemel Roberson: Victim of Creating Safety while Black?
Jemel Roberson: Victim of Creating Safety while Black?
As a 52 year old professional safety creator ( consultant and advocate for event organizers and businesses ) the recent death of 26 year old Jemel Roberson, a suburban Illinois nightlife security professional, at the hands of a responding officer is an especially bitter pill to swallow.
As an older Black man, I grieve that a younger one is dead providing a service I've also provided for decades.
When the story first broke, my assumption was he'd detained an assailant in a shooting there and was somehow mistaken for an assailant. This assumption was confirmed by later news coverage and my grief is heightened by reports that witnesses shouted to police that Roberson was working security, in order to avoid what happened anyway.
I'm a police supporter. My advocacy has focused on working with them and not serial denunciation and vilification.
That said, there remains a skepticism in some cases and outright hostility in others on the part of certain officers toward Black male civilians who join the ranks of private security or are vocal anti crime activists.
In some eyes, unless we're sworn law enforcement, we aren't worthy of the same warm reception our White peers get as security officers or concerned citizens involved in crime prevention at the neighborhood level. This isnt nearly as bad as when I first started in the 90s but nonetheless remains a tension.
Against such skepticism and hostility, is it possible this heroic nightlife security professional fell victim because he created safety while Black? I hope not.
Another bitter irony is the victim wanted to become a police officer.
You can create safety while Black, just like anybody else.
Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black
is a consultant and safety advocate in New Orleans.
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