RACIAL PROFILING - A MOTHER TURNED ACTIVIST
Story 2...And a Little Bit of News
SANDY’S LIGHTHOUSE Edition | by Sandy Gresak
April 25, 2013
Racial Profiling has become a very hot topic across our country. I read this story of the next woman, Kadiatou Diallo, a West African immigrant, a hard working mother of four children who moved to the United States to fight for justice for her 23 year old son, Amadou, whom she believed was killed due to Racial Profiling.
In September 1996, her oldest son, Amadou came to the United States in hopes to find work and attend college. Kadiatou did not know that this would be the last time she would she her son alive. In February 1999, in the hallway of his New York City apartment, an unarmed Amadou was killed by 4 police officers who mistook his wallet for a gun. The four officers were acquitted of their purported "mistake". When asked about the outcome of the trial, Kadiatou responded “As a mother, I believe that life is precious. It is so precious that I find it difficult to understand that word “mistake.”
Kadiatou stayed in New York City and established the Amadou Diallo Foundation (click on and open link to find out more information on this foundation) to help college students from Africa to attain higher education. This Foundation helps students of African decent in both the United States and Africa.
Kadiatou joined by two other mothers whose sons were killed by the police. Iris Baez, a Puerto Rican Mother, her son Anthony was killed in-an-illegal choke hold and Gidon Busch, a Hasidic Jew, whose son, Gary was shot and killed outside his Brooklyn home. (to read more click on and open link- a Puerto Rican woman named Iris Baez and Gidon Busch, a Hasidic Jew -) These three powerful woman who came together under the worst of situations formed a diverse grassroots coalition.
In 2002, Women In Islam, honoring the legacy of Dr. Betty Shabazz, presented Kadiatou Diallo, with the first Dr. Betty Shabazz Recognition Award. This award recognizes women, of all backgrounds and faiths, who show unwavering and courageous dedication to helping others.
I obtained some facts from Moyers & Co., at http://womeninislam.org/shabazz/shabazzawards.html
Little Bit of News.
Unfortunately many Chicago area residents have been affected and still are by the recent flooding. This may be another format of information to use...
Chicago Flooding: Live blog updates: All rivers in the Chicago area are near or at flood stage. The worst flooding appears to be in Des Plaines, Elmhurst, Naperville, Lemont and Algonquin.
Downtown Naperville getting back to business after flood
Lisle mayor: 'Mother Nature can show her mean side'
Thank you to Paul Sjordal for allowing me to pick items from his newsletter. You can contact Paul at psjordal@yahoo.com
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