THEY CREATED THIS OUT OF CONTROL NIGHTMARE

 

There are rumors coming out of Connecticut Juvenile Training School about a bad situation that developed with an employee. Let us first go back in time for a recapitulation of events that management must bear the responsibility for. Several years ago at CJTS Key Stone Cops management rode rough shod over the rights of Youth Services Officers –white / black, but esp. the latter- and used another Caucasian employee as an instrument of terrorization. The YSO continually harassed employees of color, filed complaints and grievances, then used union policies to legitimize those claims put forth. In return for doing the dirty work of management intent on keeping draconian order on the plantation, the YSO was never personally confronted about behavioral issues that seemed out of proportion as time moved on. Now the chickens are coming home to roost.

The YSO went through a series of events which includes past termination, reinstatement, and loss of being active on the Union agenda at CJTS. In recent months since getting hired back at CJTS the YSO denounced everyone –real or imagined- thought to be enemies i.e. management or other YSOs. And so, the shit has hit the fan. Sources within DCF Plantation report that this person who once worked for management as spy, dispenser of justice, and school yard bully is once again out on administrative leave.  People working at CJTS complained about how erratic the YSO behaved, going to every Unit building making wild accusations against staff, filing numerous complaints about residents mistreatment that were not true and creating a hostile work environment.

Now other YSOs complained of not wanting to work with the once feared instrument of management, and now there are concerns for personal safety of employees / residents. This scenario was predicted by staff at CJTS and writers of this blog years ago. People foresaw how this YSO was slowly losing control of behavioral checks regulating most other human beings. However if memory serves this writer correctly management at CJTS Plantation refused to discipline the YSO, ( who is now out of control and striking fear into the employee base ) because it was in their best interest not to do so. In other words management allowed their creation to run amok in the CJTS countryside like the Frankenstein monster in those old Universal Picture Studio movies. In one instance it was reported how the YSO, who is now shunned from the CJTS property, went to a meeting with the Superintendent and used abusive language, i.e. the top administrator heard expletives hurled his way. Holy crap.

In conclusion, let it be noted that the YSO on administrative leave cannot come within so many yards of the CJTS Plantation. Just so people get the message that trouble is on the horizon, pictures of the YSO are posted in their main operations control center. I guess now management is concerned and is taking measures to protect residents and staff.

Truth of the matter is they [ management ] created this out of control nightmare.

INGLORIOUS DEPARTURE FOR PROBLEM EMPLOYEE OR HOW THE MIGHTY HATH FALLEN

There is a saying that "what goes around comes around." And that is exactly what people are saying at Connecticut Juvenile Training School about an employee who is now out of favor with management. Let me go back in time to paint a picture for the readers of this blog. Five years ago at CJTS there were things happening to employees because management ran an oppressive system of unfair discipline, manipulation of overtime,  favoritism with scheduling and racial animus were commonplace. The last item i.e. racial animus was used as discipline to keep minorities in "their place." In order to pull this off CJTS management used a certain Youth Service Officer as their agent of doom. This YSO reported to management what other employees were doing or saying, plus when it was time to use policy and procedure the puppet employee helped write grievances.

However as time marched on at CJTS certain things happened to make the situation change for  average employees. Here are things that occurred- lawsuit against management, comments of "porch monkey" directed toward residents of color, then negative media publicity concerning management mistakes. The YSO mentioned earlier in this story fell on hard times and was no longer deemed necessary by management. All of a sudden the YSO did not have that management backing and this made the person furious. CJTS management severely disciplined the once proud and arrogant YSO to the point of termination. But just as Jesus rose from the dead, so did the YSO come back to reclaim a job that had been snatched away. Now reliable sources inform DCF Plantation Blog that the YSO in question is once again no longer on the facility grounds.

And to make matters worse, all of this is being kept hush-hush. Yet five years ago the YSO strutted around CJTS like some type of proud Peacock, dispensing justice for management.  But that was five years ago and this is now. Where is the cover of protection for that YSO now ?

Someone once wrote " and when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, never to hope again."
These are appropriate words for the fallen YSO... former tool of management.

PLANTATION EMPLOYEES AND DUBIOUS TRAININGS

The word has gone out that Connecticut Juvenile Training School employees are engaging in dubious trainings off grounds at Dave & Busters. Now it must be noted that the Department of Children & Families has this wonderful training facility in Hartford on Hudson Street that people use. However, now CJTS management in their wisdom, allows trainings at Dave & Busters where it is alleged employees drink and play arcade games-more than seek education. Sources within the CJTS Plantation confirm that after trainings at D&Bs employees come to work the next day lethargic ( i.e. possibly hung over ) or without demonstrating any knowledge to improve the workplace environment.

All of this is going on at CJTS that is reeling from recent allegations of racial animus toward employees of color, class action lawsuits filed in 2010, plus no confidence votes in Key Stone Cops management. It is beyond belief that such hijinks continue to occur in spite of negative publicity about white staff calling residents "porch monkeys" or refusing to acknowledge there are racial problems at that facility. Well, going to educational trainings is not that bad, especially if those attending can wet their whistle with beverages from the bar.

Maybe CJTS employees are singing that blues song while at D&Bs, "one Bourbon one Scotch, one beer."

WHY SO MANY PLANTATION EMPLOYEES GO TO THESE TRAININGS

In a previous DCF Plantation blog story the subject of agency trainings came up primarily because of emails to dcfplantation@gmail.com from Connecticut Juvenile Training School employees. Sources indicate that groups ranging from 10 -15 employees from CJTS attended several trainings at a place named Dave & Busters in Manchester, Ct. This high level of attendance regularly by CJTS & plantation employees is indeed puzzling until we look at what is claimed happens at these conclaves.

 Sources report Dave & Busters is known to be a local watering hole [ serving liquor ] for residents in the area. Also complaints to this blog highlight that CJTS employs and administrators are keen to drink while keeping required training to minor levels. To make matters worse it is possible the State of Connecticut just might be paying for liquor under the guise of professional development during training. This -if true- is just another example of how life on CJTS Plantation is not supervised adequately by administrative staff. What the hell, maybe the supervisors in charge of the trainings are to busy trying to buy one shot of Johnny Walker or Gordon's gin, and not look out for staff in their care. What was the song by John Lee Hooker ? I think it went like this " one bourbon, one Scotch and one beer."

TAXPAYER WASTE, FALSE TRAININGS, AND THE PLANTATION

Sources have reported that there are problems at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. [ what else is new?] The recently opened girls facility named Pueblo House has two residents [ after all that money was spent ] with overtime shifts for staff included. What is irritating to sources is how incompetent management waste taxpayer's money by having nursing staff, clinicians and a fully paid female supervisor on hand at Pueblo House - when it is located right next door to CJTS. At a time when the State of Connecticut is seeking to reduce its budget, others are riding the gravy train of getting money out of the state cornucopia. Also it is reported how supervisors at Pueblo House and CJTS set up trainings for staff at places where there are dining facilities for the express purpose of eating good food while engaged in very little training. To be honest it is reported how very little training takes place while staff and supervisors with cavernous maw consume large quantities of food, then bill the State of Ct. All of what is being described points back to the failure of CJTS management to focus on real issues with those hired to supervise the place. Why is the main Superintendent at CJTS always sequestered in the office while those lower on the administrative scale indulge in exploiting taxpayer dollars ?  If we were to dig deeper into this morass of Key Stone Cops management it would show more than this is going on.

For example how a former Unit Leader went to an administrative post [ in Operation ] for which that person is not qualified to run and effectively screwed up daily flow of procedures and people. When other Operations people did not report for work, the new hire [ at least to that post ] could not function- in spite of years of being a state employee at CJTS. Sad, sad, sad indeed is this comedy of errors on the plantation.

WHITE ACTIVIST LETTER AND COMMUNITY LEADER HENRY BROWN

Protests and direct action, including civil disobedience, are dramatic forms of negotiations. The activist starts from a position that is far from the position held by the opponent, and seeks to present a tough, “no-compromises” stance in order to force the opponent to move as far as possible toward the activist’s goal. The activist does not start the process with a hand shake and does not allow herself or himself to be intimidated OR charmed into relenting on the goal until convinced that nothing more can be gained for that round.

Henry Brown forgot that, when he somehow agreed to participate in an HPD charade designed to “show” an untrained civilian how hard it is to make split second decisions in fictional scenarios. With zero preparation, the Rev. Brown found himself overwhelmed by the choices he had to make to diffuse a domestic incident, followed by several simulated “crime stops” in the community at large. He gets “shot” in the domestic and eventually “shoots” under stress at someone holding a weapon that he couldn’t identify (it was not a firearm).

In the process of “humbling” himself from a walk in a beat cop’s shoes, he threw away any remaining negotiating power. How will he lead his next march? How will he hold HPD “accountable” the next time an unarmed youth is hit with a taser or worse? He has been used by the police department to diffuse the growing attention on police violence and terrorism in low income, resource -poor neighborhoods populated largely by black and brown families.

Since the shooting of Mike Brown in Ferguson (and a number of other shocking police killings that seemed to follow on its heels), true activists have risen up to demand a hard, honest examination of the racism that runs through police policies and training. They are looking for cities, states, and the nation as a whole to open their eyes to the permission we have given for an officer who is scared, angry, or just plain caught off guard to violate the rights and personal safety of people on the street – especially on the streets of black and brown communities. They are demanding the right to judge the actions of the police force that is supposed to “serve and protect” them. They stand in opposition to the increased violence and militarization of local departments.

None of these goals will be reached with tactics that start with empathy for the opponent. Succumbing to that form of co-optation is a sure path to NOTHING CHANGING. There may be good men and women among the Hartford police force. There may be bad people on the street. It may be hard and dangerous work to be a cop. Those are not the issues. The issues are that the current system of policing encourages aggressive, pre-emptive, violent actions on the part of the police officer and sets him or her above the laws of the community in nearly every case. The issues are the increasing cache of military weapons available to local police and the lack of awareness of this trend on the part of the average citizen. The issues are that the very worst of the abuses of power are happening in the black and brown communities and that it is immoral to allow it to continue.

 

There may come a time for dialogue and partnership between the community and the police force. But that time must wait until the balance of power has swung mightily in the direction of the community. Surely the police and political leaders are nervous and anxious to quell the rising tide of protest and demands for change. But that is all the more reason to stand firm at the distant pole of justice and not give anything up, especially not the strength that comes from righteous anger.

 

 

This letter was sent to DCF Plantation blog by a white activist wishing to remain anonymous.

WHITE ALLIES COMMENT ON SO CALLED BLACK COMMUNITY & POLICE RAPPROCHEMENT

 

In the #blacklivesmatter movement people are protesting negative treatment of people of color by law enforcement officials all over America. However there are obstructionists in Hartford, Connecticut trying to make it appear as if there are no problems between Hartford Police Department and community. In order for such a ruse to work certain props are required, trotted out black leadership smiling like Sammy Sunshine in Little Rascals movies, white activists from out of town to present organizing skills for the people, and willing police officers to have dialogue. Now that the stage is set with necessary props the play can begin. And in Hartford the narrative being spun like spiders web is, “community and HPD are in the midst of rapprochement.” We have been bombarded with media campaigns depicting some sort of community support for police… community leaders on the steps of City Hall clapping in support of police.

 Sanitized public forums where people talk to city officials, and most recently black leaders actually participating in simulated scenarios to experience what police go through while responding to everyday situations. It is this last point that white activists responded to. After a television segment came out last week showing a black man at HPD with protective gear on pretending to engage in tense situations came out, people were scratching their heads in disbelief.  Several militant white activists commented on what they saw as “what a piece of propaganda” or “this is a joke.” One female activist replied “beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Do not be so conciliatory when there is still so much to be fought for.” Some of the comments about what white allies witnessed by this black leader during his HPD visit cannot be printed due to the liberal use of profanity, however you get the point. These long time advocates for justice understand, there is fierce fighting taking place for the [ Hartford ] public narrative, surrounding the aftermath of nationwide protests – after deaths of Michael Brown… Eric Garner- over police oppression. The word rapprochement is defined in Webster’s New Basic Dictionary as “a renewal of cordial relations, as between two governments.” Now when have people of color in Hartford been on good footing with HPD ? It has been a very long time since police and community met as equals. However black moderate leaders seem to be pushing that there is some sort of rapprochement “renewal of cordial relations” between police plus people of color. For white allies in the fight for egalitarian rights the latest episode of false rapprochement, with a black man leading the charge, stinks like old fish heads rotting in the June sun for three days. At least their voices only confirms the suspicion of black obstructionists being used as willing props for old Massa in Hartford.

POLICE STORMED THE CHURCH

Moral Monday CT: A great description of the police entering Christ Church without an invitation in pursuit of organizers this afternoon. Many thanks to Bishop John Selders, Pamela Moore Selders, and Cornell Lewis for their leadership, and Osagyefo Sekou for his support of today's action.

Osagyefo Sekou

In a bizarre turn of events, nearly a dozen police officers stormed Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, CT after the first Moral Monday CT event--which included a die-in at City Hall and an unpermitted march in downtown. As we marched back to the church, officers blocked the street in front of the church, came in and demanded to speak to me. Bishop John Selders--leader of Moral Mondays CT and my elder brother--intervened. The Vicar of the church stood next to me and said, "If you take him you have to take me." As police attempted to isolate Bishop Selders clergy gathered around him. The Assistant Chief of Police of Hartford was dispatched. As the Dean of the Catherdal and Vicar along with Bishop Selders and Pamela Moore Selders met with the Assistant Chief, I lead a crowd of about 50 folks gathered in the hall in freedom songs. Linda E Kelly andGretchen Honnold of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Lizzy Jean of Deep Abiding Love Project were on hand as support saw it all. We are all stunned by the fact that they came into a church and at the fact that I seemed to be targeted. But to be sure the Hartford Police know now, they have not authority in the House of God! It is just not a slogan: Ferguson is Everywhere.

COMMUNITY AND POLICE COHESION AS ILLUSION, LIE, BETRAYAL

 

The deaths of black men in America by law enforcement officials has historically been problematic and frightening. High profile deaths of black men like Michael Brown and Eric Garner by police officers caused activists to engage in protests nationwide. In Hartford certain activists tried to highlight the tension between police and community after the tasering of 18 year old Luis Anglero by Hartford Police [ August 2014 ] over a minor incident. Over 100 people went inside the Hartford Police Department [ Sept. 2014 ] and read a manifesto statement. However three days later black leaders decided to stand on the outside steps of City Hall and attempt to portray that community people were really on the side of police while the Hartford Police Chief stood nearby in silence. On February 23, 2015 at least 70 people held a die-in at City Hall in solidarity with people claiming #blacklivesmatter is valid as a movement. Within several days, again  certain moderate forces within the black community were engaged in some scenario where conservative thinking community members interacted with police. This included role acting by community members pretending to be police officers in possible tense scenarios.

There is war being waged in Hartford’s black community by black moderate leaders and militant activists about how to engage police. However this mantra of community police cohesion is nothing but illusion, foisted on the rabble in order to remove any hope of galvanizing real dissent against HPD. Those ruling forces in the City of Hartford handpicked willing leadership for promotion of the greatest illusion since Houdini escaped handcuffed / upside down while immersed in some large glass enclosed water tank. The ruling elite desperately want people to believe there are themes of commonality between Hartford residents and police. Let me be clear. HPD along with city leaders are using certain Negro and white activists  [ the latter flown in from out of town for this specific purpose ]  to make it seem as if dialogue is happening to iron out any difference existing with angry residents over insensitive cops who oppress the common people.

 

While all of this is going on black leaders are being manipulated like puppets on television simulating how it feels to react like police in certain scenarios. When asked about the television appearance the black puppet remarked, “ I didn’t know what was really going on. I had no idea my involvement would be portrayed in this manner.” So let me get this right. The highly touted black leader got lured into a situation, then depicted unfairly by television cameras for the world to see. Is that your story Negro leader? Well. How can you be duped into doing the bidding of old Massa so easily and without knowledge of what is going on around you ? Hey man, please call this what it is, a plain betrayal by black leaders and collusion by imported white activists to guide the rage of people about Michael Brown / Eric Garner into more sedate forms of interaction i.e. “talk issues to death."

 

At every turn there are attempts to undermine or nullify actions by the true vanguard to hold HPD accountable for their actions of oppression against black and brown people  in Hartford. And the charge up this new public relations San Juan Hill is led by those same black leaders who for years have been concerned with getting their pictures in the paper, or like Simon the Magician of biblical times – “ claiming to be great” due to the appearance of performing illusions before the people.

 

 

 

 

 

REFLECTIONS ON MORAL MONDAY CT FROM A WHITE FEMALE

Moral Monday CT

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Debra

Monday, February 23, 2015

Today was a turning point for me. I acted on what I’ve been saying I respect for a long time while watching from a distance. I know that many people whose opinions and approval are important to me may disagree with what I did. The best I can hope for is their understanding of my need to act on what my gut tells me is right. Here’s the story…

I’ve been fortunate to meet some pretty amazing people in the months following Ferguson. Some of those people are White, most are Black. All of them are sympathetic to “Black Lives Matter” but most know the truth of that slogan from a lifetime of personal experience. I am doing my best to listen when they talk of White privilege. I am doing my best to untangle my emotional reactions to that concept from the reality of its truth. I am doing my best to identify ways to make a difference in a meaningful rather than merely a rhetorical way. So, after much thought, I decided to attend the first Moral Monday in CT, set to address the urgency of “Black Lives Matter”. I knew we’d be meeting at a church and that following some speakers we’d be marching to City Hall. After that, I didn’t know what to expect. (Debra, you can walk away at anytime if your comfort level is challenged beyond tolerance) Some call that ability White privilege.

Walking into the church I found tables and chairs, a hospitality table offering drinks and cookies and a stage, all in a stately old building that I’m sure has seen significant history. My first thoughts went to how it must have felt years ago when the first Labor organizers met, not knowing what the consequences of their efforts would be but believing in their hearts that their cause was a just one and worthy of all risk. I thought about the people who met clandestinely in the early and not-so-early days of the Civil Rights movement, knowing they were coming together for something more important than their individual considerations. No fancy surroundings but a community of like minded people. And the constant question… what have I gotten myself into? Do I have the strength of my convictions? What if…?

We were a diverse crowd in a multitude of ways: race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief and certainly life experience. Several speakers addressed the important reasons we were all there. Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, a powerful representative from the Moral Monday movement’s North Carolina roots and Ferguson was among the speakers. When he mentioned our religious diversity I called out to add Pagans to the list and his response was “Yes, Pagans too!” Following the speakers came the plan for the afternoon. We would march to City Hall, enter the building and participate in a “die-in” in the main lobby. We would lie down in silence for 4 ½ minutes, representing the 4 plus hours that Michael Brown lay in the streets of Ferguson after having been killed by a Ferguson cop. No one needs to be reminded that Michael Brown’s killer has faced no consequences. (Okay, it’s time to get going. Put your coat on, Debra. There’s still time to back out. You aren’t at City Hall yet)

The march to City Hall was a march as usual: chants, signs, a huge sense of solidarity with my marching community and approving recognition from many of the pedestrians we passed along the way. City Hall was about three blocks away, now two, now one, now across the street. Now we are there. (Debra, you can turn around. There is still time)

We walked in to City Hall. Proclamations that Black lives matter announced our arrival and continued until everyone was in. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of how we would be greeted. Many of the City Hall employees came out to see what was going on and stayed in approval. I wasn’t aware of any disapproving responses to our presence. We formed a circle – the universal symbol of unity, precious solidarity. Bishop John Selders read the names of many who have paid the ultimate price of being Black in a White world. And then….it was time for the die-in. We didn’t know if the police had been called or if they would come in while we were lying down and announce our imminent arrest if we didn’t leave. I began to feel fear that I might be caught up in that possibility but then perspective kicked in. What was that fear compared to the fear faced by countless generations of American citizens who faced far worse all the time? What was that fear compared to the people who gathered in Selma who knew exactly what was on the line as they met, marched, sat in?

The 4 ½ minutes passed with no incident save my new perspective. Someone near me seemed to be softly singing and I thought about how song has been such an important motivator and healer throughout all social struggles. I looked up past the glass roof panels to the sky above and thought, “Daddy, I hope I’m doing you proud.”

It was time to return to the church. We started down the sidewalk, chants and bull horn amplification at work. A police car pulled along side us and the man leading the chants with the bull horn was approached. A quiet, private conversation occurred between him and an officer. The bull horn was deactivated for reasons I’m not aware of but we continued to move along with voices raised. At an important intersection, our route ceased to be the sidewalk and we literally took to the middle of the street. Behind us we could hear the police announcement, “Move to the sidewalk immediately or you will be subject to arrest. Move to the sidewalk immediately or you will be subject to arrest.” (Debra, you can move to the side walk and reduce your risk) We linked arms and continued marching as the police warning kept up behind us. I will admit to some relief when we arrived back at the church with no arrests, not even a scuffle. Imagine our disbelief when, several minutes later as we were settling down and getting ready for a review of the afternoon, an estimated half dozen police officers entered the church uninvited and demanded to see Bishop Selders whom they identified as one of the leaders of our action. Not knowing what to expect, we followed the Bishop and our uninvited guests into the church lobby to witness whatever was going to happen. Greater alarm was raised when the Bishop and the officers moved to a room behind a closed door with several of the cops remaining in the lobby with us. I recall feeling the possibility of being corralled first at Occupy’s 2012 anniversary march in New York and again in New York at the 2012 silent march in protest of that state’s “Stop and Frisk” law. In both cases we were on the street. This was in a church! My thoughts again went back to activists over the years who have been herded into inescapable positions, not only politically but physically. Did these cops think we would even consider trying to leave? Did they not know we were, at that moment, family?????? As a family, we sang under Rev. Sekou’s leadership. We raised our voices. Some prayed.

Eventually, all parties emerged from the room unscathed and the police left. We returned to the main room for a debriefing. The main charge was violation of the noise ordinance and using a bull horn without a permit. In the past two years, I have planned and helped to lead marches and rallies in Hartford where we used bull horns without a permit. I was never sought out by the police. Oh wait; I’m a white post-middle aged woman. Our leaders today were Black men and women. It was also suggested that the next time such an event was planned it would be prudent to give a heads up to the police. Would anyone like to place a bet on that happening? I will be filing a Freedom of Information request later this week for the written noise / bull horn ordinance.

As we talked more about the experience, we were asked how we felt. How could I articulate why my tears began, why I needed to put my head in my hands and hide my reaction, embarrassed because I knew that ultimately the day wasn’t about me? I felt suddenly released from fear, proud of having participated, relieved that no one was hauled off to jail or hurt. I felt honored to be among the people in that room. A young Black pastor who was sitting next to me noticed my tears. His hand reaching out to rest on my shoulder, with no words exchanged between us, was appreciated beyond description and will be remembered for a long time to come. Perhaps he understood that a White talker is becoming a White walker.

Here’s to Peace, Justice and Solidarity…

P.S. This morning I was introduced to a song from the play Ragtime. It is titled “Make Them Hear You.” The line that struck a chord with me says, “Your sword can be a sermon or the power of the pen…..” Thanks to Pagan Activist for providing a safe place to tell our stories.

USE OF THE WORD NIGGER BY STAFF AND MANAGEMENT IS OFFENSIVE

February is Black History Month in America and people of color et al., celebrate the occasion. However at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School there seems to be some sort of strange happening and to some it is offensive. Sources at CJTS have reported how incarcerated residents refer to each other by using the word Nigger. This word seems to be a mainstay of youth at this facility and other locations. In many respects youth are among the primary abusers of such a historically negative word. That is until the word nigger started rolling off the lips of staff and white management on the plantation.

Reports from CJTS state how staff [ black, white, Hispanic ] are calling each other Niggers while talking in social settings. The use of this word in front of residents does not set any type of good example for youth one has to assume. Youth Service Officers are suppose to be models of integrity, at least while working in public at CJTS Plantation- after work is another matter. But how can white staff or management even presume to utter the N word ? As granddaddy would say " how you gone fix yo' mouth to say dat?"  Indeed, the fact that white staff / management feel comfortable enough to say such words as Nigger openly, only highlight what has been pointed out for months on this blog i.e. CJTS is not being managed by strong leadership. Several incidents of racism, bias, gender discrimination and homophobia are well documented. Now it comes to light how the historically offensive word Nigger is a mainstay in the vocabulary of full grown adults who are in charge of young residents. So what is the solution to such an offensive remark by whites who believe they are entitled to use the word Nigger ?

Better yet, what is the solution for people of color allowing the word Nigger to be used in their presence by management ? Historically these same people using the offensive word have terminated / disciplined YSOs of color more harshly than other ethnic groups.

And to add insult to injury all this came to public attention during Black History Month.

THE DRAMA INCREASES ON THE PLANTATION AS AN EMPLOYEE GOES WILD

There is a saying that some things are stranger than fiction. If that saying is deemed as true, then there certainly is reason for people to worry about new developments at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Sources report how a Youth Service Officer is running all over the facility like a Banshee on the Moors of Scotland creating trouble. The issue stems from the fact this particular YSO is bitter about being fired then rehired, and not being voted in as AFSCME Union Steward. In the mind of this disgruntled employee there are people at CJTS that pose problems. Ergo, the YSO is going to every Unit at the facility and informing residents how to write grievances against staff. Now this is being done under the guise of protecting residents rights, but in reality the YSO is using residents to get even. The YSO lodged complaints about certain Unit Leaders and staff and this caused angst in the visceral region of a lot of co-workers.

When a person has real or imagined grievances swirling inside of their head and then these slights morph into bitterness that can be a volatile concoction indeed. Such feelings might cause a person to lose sight of what is real or imaginary; such deviations from factual truth leads to acting out behaviors such as the YSO is doing at CJTS Plantation. In one scenario the YSO goes to scheduling planners at CJTS to complain about how someone is working and getting overtime during visiting hours. Well what generally happens is people are asked if they would work 4-6 hour visiting time shifts- in some cases there is often 2 hour shifts generally remaining ( very few people want to only get paid for two hours ). A few YSOs are not shy about working only 2 hours and accept the overtime. However the Mad Hatter YSO went to the agency scheduler and complained how a fellow employee gets ALL the overtime each week. Say What ? The YSO in question named Soto would only work 4 hours total if he accepted the positions on Saturday and Sunday. So what the hell is the problem ? If we peer deeply into the thinking of the employee making this allegation it is part of a master plan to strike at perceived enemies.

Now the same animus aimed at YSO Soto has been directed toward YSO Riddle. Sources report that YSO Riddle is under investigation due to the machinations of the rehired YSO, who went behind  the scenes to make sure residents et al., wrote proper complaints about Riddle. Many employees believe allegations against Riddle is bunkum. Meanwhile back at the ranch Key Stone Cops management stands looking up in the sky with thumbs stuck in their behinds, and wondering what to do about the problem on the plantation as an employee goes wild.

Stay tuned for the latest weather report !!

APPLYING FOR WORK ON THE PLANTATION, TWO REJECTED BUT ONE ACCEPTED

The racial games continue to be played at Connecticut Juvenile Training School when it comes to hiring qualified people for Youth Service Officers. It has been reported that recently three people [ two people of color and a white male ] applied for jobs as YSOs at the CJTS plantation. Well, reliable sources state that the first applicant was a black female with a degree in law, second applicant [ black male ] had experience in correction / detention facilities. When the third applicant [white male ] submitted his credentials it was noted he cited experience as pharmacist.

Now as they would say in the movies "the plot thickens" in this tale of racial hiring practices at CJTS Plantation.  Someone at that Juvenile Training School made decisions to exclude two qualified black people from obtaining jobs where residents of color make up the majority of the population. Say what ?

Some people reading these words might be surprised at an organization for making such decisions: remember all the negative press about this facility over a five year period concerning racial problems with staff and predominately white management. A white female YSO calls residents of color "porch monkeys" while in 2010 five people of color file discrimination lawsuits. Then former YSO Cornell Lewis went on this hunger strike for eight days to highlight racism / bias. Media sources wrote extensively about racial turmoil at CJTS. However it appears as if games are still being played by Key Stone Cop management when it comes to hiring "the other."

Can any justifiable reason be given for hiring someone with experience in pharmacy over people with law degrees and corrections backgrounds ? Maybe the more glaring question is how people running the Department of Children and Families allow such trickery to continue.

In conclusion what can be cited with certainty is while applying for work on the plantation, two got rejected but one accepted.

Have mercy !!

IT IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE

The drums are beating loud at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. The DCF Plantation Blog recently reported how a Youth Services Officer at CJTS is causing havoc by running to Human Resources making claims that  a Unit Leader in building # 5 is not effective. This same YSO ( in the past ) made comments about employees of color by posting sticky notes on the Unit in building # 5 walls. Now there are other disturbing reports about how this entire situation is a time bomb waiting to explode.

Some people speculate that the YSO in question is angry over not being voted in for the position of AFSCME Union Steward; other YSOs took notice of past actions of the erratic YSO, then decided to not reward someone who spewed racial animus toward peers / uses management to cover nefarious plans for obfuscation. Now this blog writer learns other YSOs have put in transfer slips to other Units on the CJTS Plantation in order to escape foolishness currently taking place in building # 5. However what is being overlooked [ maybe purposely being ignored ] by management is how this certain YSO continues to be the focal point of peer distrust as well as a tool of white management .... in order to neutralize any form of employee dissent. But it has been documented that the YSO in question operates on a short fuse and capable of unexpected acts; yet he is listened to by CJTS management.

When YSOs of color tried to get white management to talk about racial issues at CJTS they were met with silence and hostility. Now this same management is listening to an employee [ and forming policy around those comments ] recently rehired for conduct unbecoming a state employee. Why is management allowing access to this problematic YSO ? Does it have to do with the fact the YSO is white?  Hmmmmmm 

DRIFTING FURTHER AND FURTHER FROM SANITY

The definition of words can often be helpful in critical analysis of people or situations. Take for instance the second definition of sanity "soundness of judgment or reason" and apply it to leadership at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. On February 5, 2015 a large Human Resources meeting was held in building # 1 at CJTS among Key Stone Cops leadership and Youth Service Officers. A certain YSO complained about building # 5 Unit Supervisor in very unflattering terms. What is interesting is how the person pointing fingers [ "let he (or she) who is without sin cast the first stone" ] at this conclave has long been highlighted as making statements that create havoc among peers / others.

Management types must be drifting further and further from sanity to listen to words from this YSO who has been reprimanded for egregious action against residents and staff at CJTS Plantation. In the past this YSO made comments about how staff were using the brunch offered to residents as means to keep them secluded in rooms until feeding time. Due to the above mentioned YSOs tirade Superintendent William Rosenbeck suspended brunch at CJTS. What is alarming --and shows a lack of sanity from management [ if there ever was any ] -- is how leadership at this particular facility allows those with the loudest voice to dictate policy. Other YSOs contacted DCF Plantation blog by email to state " how can someone recently given their job back after being fired be so influential with management that a Unit Supervisor in building # 5 is thrown under the bus by a loose cannon's words."

In the past this blog has posted numerous stories about the ineptness and erratic behavior of CJTS leadership esp. in terminations of males employees of color. Now this latest development only confirms how management is drifting further and further from sanity.

THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS BLACK LIVES MATTER ISSUE IN CONNECTICUT

In recent weeks there has been a rush to march in the streets of Hartford over deaths of black men [ Eric Gardner.. Michael Brown ] at the hands of law enforcement officials. Moderate Negro leaders and their allies made sure the media saw them marching, singing, praying and leading a patriarchal event that literally contained the rage of people seeking justice. However why have these self proclaimed leaders not taken the initiative to really strike at the heart of an established bastion of white supremacy in Greater Hartford ? For years the Department of Children and Families has faced lawsuits, protests, petition campaigns, and lawsuits over covert and overt racism toward employee of color; 66% of all DCF terminations are aimed at black or Latino men. Yet these ethnic groups only account for forty five per cent of DCF's employment base.

It goes without saying that there is no need to look for injustices against people of color other than DCF or it's satellite Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, CT. For at least five years stories emanated from CJTS about white employees calling residents of color " porch monkeys" or activists launching a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against CJTS. However moderate Negro leaders march all around the issue of whether to target DCF or CJTS for militant social action. Seems to this writer there is plenty of racial animus at the two facilities named above : members of the press certainly weighed in on what racism / bias going on in such facilities. Yet no hue or cry from those Negroes -preaching about a Beloved Community as espoused by Martin Luther King- about how to address racism within DCF and CJTS.

Why wait for more black and brown bodies to die at the hands of police officials or over zealous men like George Zimmerman before Negroes decide to protest. What goes on daily at the DCF Plantation certainly targets men of color plus destroys black lives spiritually, economically, mentally and socially. And still we wait on the moderate marching religious leaders and allies to see something odious right before their eyes.

It well could be these leaders do not want to acknowledge racism within the DCF Plantation. If leaders see it they might have to confront it, and at this juncture that is not something they want to do.

PEOPLE SEEK JUSTICE THROUGH MILTANT ACTIONS

Bishop John Selders 4:57pm Jan 31 List Of Demands/Underpinning Framework for Moral Monday CT WE CALL FOR: AN IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON SHOOT TO KILL AND AN END TO POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE Every 28 hours a black person is killed by someone employed or protected by the government of the United States. Black people are targeted, denied due process and murdered because of dehumanizing/superhumanizing police practices. We want an immediate end to state sanctioned killings and violence against our communities. FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE Every individual has the right to employment and a living wage. Inability to access employment and fair pay continues to marginalize our communities, ready us for imprisonment and deny us of our right to a life with dignity. QUALITY HOUSING Our communities have a right to access housing that protects our families and allows for our children to be free from harm. AN END TO THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE AND QUALITY EDUCATION We want an end to policies that criminalize our young people as well as discriminatory discipline practices that bar access to quality education. Furthermore, we want our children to be able to access free, quality education including free or affordable public university. FREEDOM FROM MASS INCARCERATION AND AN END TO THE PRISION INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX We want an end to over policing and surveillance of our communities. Policing historically enforces racist laws, policies and norms. Black and brown people, as a result, are criminalized, hyper-incarcerated, and a massive prison industrial complex built on the warehousing of black and brown people developed. We call for the cessation of mass incarceration and the eradication of the prison industrial complex. Moral Monday is a movement seeking justice through militant non violent action. This movement seeks to end the loss of black lives through law enforcement aggression and force because #blacklivesmatter.

EDUCATION OF RESIDENTS OF COLOR NOT A PRIORITY

 

For these are all our children. We will profit by, or pay for, whatever they become.

----James Baldwin

The report from sources at Connecticut Juvenile Training School clearly shows disregard for education of residents. A new school facility has been built at CJTS for older residents [ 18-20 years old ] residing in building # 6 on Units 6B, 6C, 6D. However from reliable information this blog writer learned the following story about a horrible situation in which residents ( of color mostly ) were placed in a new school setting that was not thought out in terms of logistics. Vocational curriculums, books, and teachers were placed into the new school for older residents in order to meet deadlines in order to gain finances from outside sources. Also when this charade of a school opened on January 27, 2015 chaos roamed the new facility masquerading as rationality. All over America there have been demonstrations by ethnically diverse activists to claim #blacklivesmatter as it relates to black men being killed by law enforcement. Yet by not providing proper educational tools, books, and proper thinking to open up this school clearly shows CJTS residents – mostly of color- do not matter.

For readers who are not familiar with CJTS and the culture of racial animus at that facility let me educate you. This blog has highlighted numerous accounts of conflict between Youth Service Officers of color and white management. Former employee Cornell Lewis et al., tried to make public all the things that led to a racially toxic milieu at CJTS. YSOs filed petitions, demonstrated outside of CJTS in Middletown, Connecticut plus launched a class action lawsuit in 2010 focusing on racism. White management then fired Lewis on trumped up charges; but an arbitrator reinstated Lewis stating the punishment did not follow proper procedure. Clearly there is some type of disrespect for people of color on the DCF Plantation, disciplinary actions show how 66% of terminations focus on men of color. Let me also add the employment of DCF shows people of color only comprise 45% of the total base.

Now there is a situation where residents of color are herded into a new educational facility that is not prepared to teach them basic skills. Does the scenario just described show concern by white management that #blacklivesmatter ?? In conclusion let us be honest and state opening that school is all about acquiring financial resources for the expansion of the DCF Plantation. There is no way on earth white people would allow their children to suffer such indignities associated with being placed in such a school setting. And to make matters worse, the resources taken from the original school at CJTS caused younger residents to go to classes like art or math two-three times. There are no resources in the original school after stripping it and jamming vocational tools in this new facility for older residents. People are marching around Hartford talking about #blacklivesmatter; in my estimation it might be wise to focus on white supremacy and what it is doing at CJTS.

THE TIME IS NOW, MORAL MONDAY !

THE TIME IS NOW, MORAL MONDAY !

SINGIN’ WID A SWORD IN MY HAND

Singin’ wid a sword in my hand, Lord,

Singin’ wid a sword in my hand.

Purtiest singin’ ever I heard… Singin’ wid a sword in my hand.

The above lyrics to this song came from The Books of American Negro Spirituals by James Weldon Johnson & Rosamond Johnson. These words are appropriate for the context of this blog story today and with upcoming event on Feb. 2, 2015 called Moral Monday. Bishop John Selders has been on the front lines in Ferguson, Missouri in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s shooting death by a white police officer. Selders witnessed and participated in demonstrations calling for justice in the death of Michael Brown. It is in the spirit of Ferugson and New York --where black man Eric Garner was choked to death by police—that the theme of Moral Monday was born.

There have been activities in Greater Hartford by some ( not all ) people with delusions of grandeur to highlight the tragic deaths of Brown and Garner, but they have fallen far short of collecting and allowing the rage of people to be heard. At this juncture there is a sense of frustration about the way existential angst of the oppressed ( over these two deaths ) was packaged and presented to the power structure in a sanitized manner : allowing city and state leaders to feel comfortable and not threatened. However the TIME IS NOW for Moral Monday to properly demonstrate there is a segment of the population that did not buy into leadership that packaged the angst of those marching, did not have adequate representation by women or the LGBT community on the speaking agenda, and turned the rage of people into a Pollyanna love fest.

To hell with serene settings that make people feel comfortable- THE TIME IS NOW for the true vanguard to step forward.

 Moral Monday gives the people hope and a voice.

 Moral Monday is not looking for pie in the sky for salvation but realizes salvation comes through struggle.

Moral Monday states clearly the aims of the oppressed – justice now !

Moral Monday sends out a Macedonian call to man the barricades.

Moral Monday beckons all with true revolutionary fervor to come Feb. 2^nd at 3pm to Christ Church at 45 Church Street in Hartford.

THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED

EXISTENTIAL ANGST FROM WHITES REVEAL BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

The recent protests of black and whites activists in America ( over the deaths of Michael Brown / Eric Garner ) are causing concern among some members of the dominant population. If you read FaceBook posts or media reports it is clear existential angst in happening to some people. What is causing this uproar are methods or tactics used by activists of a younger generation to make dramatic social points; highway blockages, die-ins, occupation of malls, opera halls or movie theatres. The oppressed masses and allies seek to inculcate upon the thinking of America it is not alright to kill human beings whether black or white.

In my responses on FB or in private conversations an almost hysterical primal cry is coming form members of the dominant population about how recent tactics by activists are "counter productive, misdirected foolishness of the uneducated, leaderless meandering of disgruntled fools etc." One lady on FB tried to convince me how "blocking a freeway does nothing to educate." Many of these arguments have been raised before by whites but now I am noticing the hysterical replies to activists tactics. Then suddenly this epiphany occurred to me i.e. existential angst from whites reveal being uncomfortable. Now those activists tactics are causing people who traditionally enjoy certain benefits from being white to not only suffer from highway blockages, but being uncomfortable as they sit in sterile surroundings like an opera house. Also these younger protestors are black , white, Hispanic, straight and gay. Ergo, it cannot be said it is only blacks again bringing up images of slavery or the ghost of reparations for descendants of slaves.

Yet below the level of consciousness something else is happening to members of the dominant American society-- oppressed people and their allies are determined to highlight their points regardless of who is uncomfortable. And the fact that other whites have joined with the mixed rabble or natives in social protest is even more troubling to the hysterical Greek Chorus : Bob Dylan sang a song about "the times are a changing" but seems as if whites ( and old moderate Negro leadership ) cannot fathom this current movement is not built on foundations of old Civil Rights models of " love your enemy" and non violence.

And in the final analysis perhaps that is what is causing existential angst and this uncomfortable feeling from some whites.


story submitted by Ajamu

WILL THERE BE EMPLOYEE ACTIVISM ON THE PLANTATION IN 2015 ?

The Youth Service Officers working at Connecticut Juvenile Training School decided to finally protest against their negative treatment by management in 2014. YSOs did not sign petitions or hold meetings due to sudden inspiration or angst. No, their sudden activism was aroused due to several factors (1.) three YSOs were fired due to the machinations by management to silence activist Cornell Lewis, (2.) YSOs endured racial animus emanating from right wing Caucasian peers, (3.) management targeted five employees of color that filed a class action lawsuit against CJTS in 2010.

It was only after all of the things mentioned above happened that YSOs decided to get some back bone and stand up to the oppressors implementing draconian policies. The question for today is will these YSOs fight the power at CJTS in 2015? For years at CJTS and other facilities run by Department of Children and Families racism and employee abuse ran rampant, unchecked and vicious. Finally small groups were willing to fight but a majority stood on the sidelines watching, afraid their overtime might be reduced or of losing a job. Now these same people who got involved  [ barely ] in 2014 must take risks to make certain their egalitarian rights are gained --no matter what the cost.

In a few days people will observe the Martin Luther King national holiday with speeches, songs, lighted candles and dancing- let us hope they will throw in praxis at the CJTS plantation.

IF WHITES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FIGHTING RACISM THEY SHOULD GO DO IT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

I keep hearing comments from blacks / Hispanics about feeling uncomfortable with whites leading demonstrations in protests against racism  by police toward black men. Now before people start pointing fingers at this blog writer let me be clear, other folk are saying this. All over America activists are marching, singing, staging die ins or blocking highways about Michael Brown being shot dead by white police in Ferguson and Eric Garner's choking death in New York. Suddenly there are thousands all over America voicing disapproval about black lives not mattering ( at least to some officials ). White allies stand before television cameras with manifesto statements or analysis of what is wrong or how to correct it ( racism towards blacks ).

However inquiring minds want to know why if whites want to truly change things they do not start with white communities. According to what black activists are saying it is easy for whites to saunter into oppressed communities and demand an end to police brutality or injustice. The real challenge is going to be whites going to their communities and trying to change worldviews of peers that hold onto notions fostering the current racial atmosphere in America. Just read comments on social media to get a flavor of what is being discussed in white communities. A large percentage of whites display worldviews which support the most recent manifestation of racism toward black males et al., and are busy blaming everyone and thing - except the social structures set up by whites- that feed this kind of racial animus. Marching around in black communities does not take much courage if you're white, you get to go home to safe enclaves at night. If these same white activists challenged peers to address their distorted worldviews about blacks, change laws regarding mass incarceration of black males, or other such issues, it might not be a comfortable situation. Lets be completely honest here. White activists would be run out of town on a rail if they tramped around their neighborhoods seeking reparations for blacks or asking peers to let go of entrenched thinking which view blacks negatively.

Meanwhile back in black communities the demands for justice ( as it relates to this latest spate of black men being killed by white cops) is growing louder and more intense. At the forefront of events are white activists claiming solidarity with black folk while ignoring going to their own peers with accusations of enabling this racism to exist. The path of least resistance is certainly marching in black communities singing Civil Rights songs, lighting scented candles, making speeches and feeling good after the protests are over. A bigger battle for white activists would be going to power brokers in various domains demanding change in structural racism. Do you think for one minute that kind of situation will be comfortable for white activists where people know them ?? I think not. And maybe this thought of feeling uncomfortable is why whites don't run like bats out of hell into situations where their people who hold power dwell.

In conclusion I can only say if whites are serious about fighting racism they should go do it in their own communities.

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS RAGE OF THE OPPRESSED MANIFESTS ITSELF

Ladies and gentlemen, brothers-sisters, comrades thank you for the opportunity of speaking here today. We are observing conditions all over America of a new assault on people’s egalitarian rights. People of color, especially black men, are gunned down in the streets or choked to death by law enforcement officers. While all of this goes on there are so called leaders making sure community rage is managed in order to placate the powerful and maintain “business as usual” i.e. keeping the people under control. Today I want to talk about what might happen when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself.

   The current protests can be more intense when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. At this juncture there are several forms of nationwide events allowing would be activists chances to feel as if something meaningful has been done by die ins, peaceful marches and scripted made for television arrests of protestors. Songs, chants, placards and freeway stoppages are commendable but don’t advance the cause of social justice. People in power laugh at these current efforts put forth by protestors. When the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself cries of liberation will fill the air while night skies glow with proof positive that things are indeed serious. Ward Churchill wrote in his book Pacifism As Pathology “ there is not a petition campaign that you can construct that is going to cause the power and status quo to dissipate. There is not a legal action that you can take; you cannot go into the court of the conqueror and have the conqueror announce the conquest to be illegitimate and to be repealed; you cannot hold a prayer vigil, you cannot burn the right scented candle at the prayer vigil, you cannot have the right folk song. This monstrosity called the State maintains itself by force and can only be countered in terms that it……understand.” If people listening understand the climate in America towards blacks is getting worse then these current protests can and must be more intense.

  White allies must follow and not lead when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. It is apparent that white allies are committed to seeking justice for people deprived of egalitarian rights in America. Let us not discount help in our struggle against legalized forces that are currently killing black men and calling it justified. However as this battles rages in American streets some whites have taken center stage, causing a riff in the struggle of blacks / Hispanics etc. This situation affects people of color and should be led by them, but now certain white groups come into situations with worldviews not helpful to agendas presented by victimized blacks. When the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself black people will tell whites to fall back to the end or middle of the fight, not seek front row status. If whites cannot understand what they are being told by victims of racial animus then perhaps those allies need to be excluded altogether from this movement; who in hell has time for nonsense in the midst of such a grave situation. Lastly let me state one more point which is…

Victory demands sacrifice when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. There are people marching in the streets of America thinking and acting as if this is some sort of game. For too many folks there is no sacrifice because they go home to safe neighborhoods and are not targeted for injustice daily. These people will only sacrifice so much because there is no true feelings for the victimized people of color in America; marching, chanting or getting arrested is some badge of honor. But when people of color want to increase the intensity of protests to include maybe violent protests, allies vanish like morning dew on the Moors of Scotland when the sun rises. Historically all conflicts by hoi polloi ( common people ) include sacrifice i.e. loss of jobs, beatings, lynchings, ethnic cleansing and death. What makes activists think power structures will give up any semblance of authority without clear signals of collective determination from atomized people? For far too long Americans have thought about protest in terms of sanitized events with no real sacrifice needed to obtain concrete goals.

  In conclusion there can be no victory against injustice until the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. Thank you.

 

 

MEMO TO WHITE FOLKS REDUX

White Folks: Act Up Accountably Notes from the SURJ Action Team Louisville SURJ Rally for Ferguson, December 2014        We are experiencing a profound moment in history right now in response to continued systemic anti-Black racism with the murders of Michael Brown and Eric Garner being... http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/archives/2216

IS IT TIME TO REPLACE THE LEADERSHIP AT CJTS ??

The emails to dcfplantation@gmail.com from employees of the Department of Children and Families are curious and informative. There are veins of dissatisfaction at Connecticut Juvenile Training School about the leadership. While perusing the emails it is apparent that employees consider Superintendent William Rosenbeck , Assistant Supt. John DiPilla, and scheduler and Supervisor of Operations Staff Dr. Ron Brone as expendable. There are several areas that CJTS employees site as reasons for changing leadership (1) Youth Service Officers signed a petition that caused DCF Commissioner Joette Katz to meet with YSOs. These same YSOs kept Rosenbeck out of the meeting, (2) a resident almost escaped from the facility due to staff not monitoring cameras in the Operations Staff office, (3) The suspension of three YSOs under the guise of Neglect of Duty for watching a computer when the real issue was targeting activist Cornell Lewis -this heavy handed discipline galvanized YSOs over the unfairness of this situation ( Cornell won the arbitration case, the other two returned to work), (4) There are inconsistencies in the scheduling at CJTS, causing YSOs to work two-three shifts in a row, (5) A person with no experience is placed in a position to run the girl's facility called Pueblo House and there is no consistency in how this place is being run. Now this same person hired to run Pueblo House is helping direct organizational structures at CJTS, (6) The mishandling of a transgender youth of color named Jane Doe, plus the escape of Jane during an off grounds therapy session, (7) The targeting off a black female Supervisor by white male leadership that led to filing of hostile workplace charges and racism.

Lastly,  the hushed rumors about  peccadilloes  ( a small sin or fault ) between male leadership with a female in management,  that went on for a period of time before the female was transferred. Now given all that has been discussed in this blog- is there any wonder people want changes in leadership??

contributed by staff writer Ajamu

MARCHING TO THE WRONG PLACES ?

The recent marches in Hartford by people seeking social justice is one way to highlight the taking of lives by police officers in America. Michael Brown / Eric Garner were both killed by white cops that might have viewed these black men as "the other." Well, pip, pip, hooray for all those people taking to the streets and singing-praying or carrying signs. However there is an elephant sitting in the living room of Connecticut that for some reason is ignored by all those seekers of justice. The Department of Children and Families is a strong hold of racial animus. It has come to light -using DCF'S own data- that this organization targets black and Hispanic men for harsher / more frequent discipline than other groups employed at this agency. The last time DCF Plantation blog checked organizers of recent marches did not focus rallies at 505 Hudson Street, nor were there shouts of "black lives matter." Hell, when DCF terminates men of color this is a form of economic and employment death; but do not expect organizers of recent marches to grasp this concept, all they can do is march to the wrong places.
More on this subject in a future story.

story submitted by staff writer Ajamu

MEMBERS OF THE DCF PLANTATION 5 STILL UNDER ATTACK

The unrelenting and insidious attacks against members of the DCF Plantation 5 at Connecticut Juvenile Training School continues. These two people were part of a group that launched that class action lawsuit [ 2010 ] charging bias, racism, gender discrimination among other things against white management at CJTS / DCF. Scott Beck / Cornell Lewis no longer work at the plantation but three remaining member do. And what makes the harassment so weird is that all five members settled the case back in September of 2014. Yet management went after two remaining members and are seeking revenge. One black male named Kevin Strachen is a case in point. Kevin was involved in a hands on restraint in Unit 6B not long ago and for some reason management chose to investigate the incident. Now Kevin did not use excessive force with the male resident, but a Director of Residential Care approached Strachen with these words " let us view the incident on video. We believe the video gives you the opportunity for a teachable moment."

A black female employee ( also part of the lawsuit ) is being singled out for retaliation by white male administrative staff. The female in question has filed numerous complaints about workplace violence against her person. The white male administrator and fellow cohorts formed a cabal with intent to undermine this woman's effectiveness in performing job duties. At this juncture do not expect leaders at the plantation to admit wrong doing towards this two fighters for social freedom. No, white management just continues to perpetuate the kind of racist actions that are causing people to march in the streets all over America.
Have these people learned nothing??

DEAR WHITE PROTESTORS

 

Dear White Protestors

As I walked through the streets of Berkeley tonight listening to the overwhelmingly white crowd chant things like “Whose streets? Our streets!” and “This is what democracy looks like!” I felt uncomfortable. I passed white people holding signs that said “I can’t breathe” and I felt uncomfortable. Then, when we were instructed to sit down in the middle of the main street that runs through downtown Berkeley and were made to listen to a white person on a bullhorn declare “All lives matter!” I felt invisible. Ignored. Forgotten. 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. 

"Whose streets?" As a Black person in this country, I am well aware that the streets belong to white people. I am not empowered or made more safe by hundreds of white people chanting that the streets belong to them. The street in Ferguson where Mike Brown was murdered and lay dead for 4.5 hours should have belonged to him, but it didn’t. He’s dead. He’s not coming back. That’s because the streets belong to white people.

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. 

"This is what democracy looks like?" You’re right. Democracy has always meant that (for reasons you’re well aware of but like to pretend you don’t remember or don’t matter anymore) black people are a consistent minority in this country and thus must petition white people for our basic human rights. Democracy means voter ID laws and poll taxes. Democracy in America is a white majority dictating whose voice matters. Democracy is white liberals telling black folks to calm down and go the polls (and vote for Democrat) as if Bob McCulloch isn’t a "democrat." As if Jay Nixon isn’t a democrat. As if our president isn’t Black and it hasn’t done shit to lower the ever mounting body count of Black people gunned down in the streets by police and vigilantes. As if any Black politicians in a non-majority Black district can get elected, much less reelected, without catering to white people’s feelings. I know what democracy looks like and it hasn’t done very much for people who look like me.
 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. 

"All lives matter?" NO THEY DON’T AND THAT’S THE FUCKING POINT! Black people’s lives don’t matter, that’s why I’m out in the streets, to get people to realize that my life has worth. I have to protest to get people to even think about the possibility that if the police or some vigilante gun me down, it’s not because the genetic defects believed inherent in my blackness finally manifested and I had to be put down before I became more of a threat to white america. White america doesn’t need a reminder that "all lives matter," it needs to be made to recognize and respect that Black lives matter. 

It’s Black bodies that are bleeding and dying in the streets. It’s Black bodies that can’t breathe. It’s Black bodies that are seen and treated as threats to whiteness as we shop in Wal-Mart, play in parks outside our homes, walk home with a pack of Skittles, sleep in our beds. It’s Black bodies that have hung like strange fruit from the trees of this nation for centuries. 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. 
 

Stop whitewashing our movement. Stop pretending that “All lives matter” means anything other than “HEY ME TOO! WHAT ABOUT MY WHITE FEELINGS! DISREGARD THE ACTUAL REALITY OF BLEEDING AND DYING BLACK PEOPLE AND CATER TO THE HYPOTHETICAL AND EXTREMELY RARE POSSIBILITY THAT POLICE OR VIGILANTES WOULD BE ABLE TO EXTRAJUDICIALLY MURDER A WHITE PERSON AND FACE NO CONSEQUENCES!” Black people know our lives don’t matter because white people’s hypotheticals matter more than Black people’s reality.
 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. 

Stop cannibalizing our movements with hashtags about every other life but ours. Stop plagiarizing Black people’s actual struggles for fictionalized white pain (I’m looking at you Hunger Games, with your whitewashed protagonist. “The Hanging Tree?” For real?). Stop scrambling to stand atop the growing pile of dead Black bodies to use it as your makeshift platform to secure more privileges and status for yourself. Stop using protests that should be about Black lives to exercise your white angst, break shit under the cover of darkness, and then bask in the bright light of white privilege while Black lives are declared to be worth less than the windows you broke. 
 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. This IS about making Black Lives Matter.  

Our streets shouldn’t be burial grounds for Black people. Black people’s rights shouldn’t be put to a vote. Black people should be allowed to breathe, walk, exist, without fear.

So, if you’re actually here for making Black Lives Matter, put down your “I can’t breathe” signs (because you can, and that’s the point) and pick up one that declares Black Lives Matter (because right now they don’t, andthat’s the point). Get off the ground and stand in solidarity as Black people “die-in” (because it’s not white bodies lying dead on our nation’s streets, and that’s the point). Hand over the bullhorn to a Black person (because your voice doesn’t need a bullhorn to be heard, and that’s the point). 

And please, stop saying #AllLivesMatter…until they actually do. 

Black lives are declared to be worth less than the windows you broke. 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. This IS about making Black Lives Matter.  

Our streets shouldn’t be burial grounds for Black people. Black people’s rights shouldn’t be put to a vote. Black people should be allowed to breathe, walk, exist, without fear.

So, if you’re actually here for making Black Lives Matter, put down your “I can’t breathe” signs (because you can, and that’s the point) and pick up one that declares Black Lives Matter (because right now they don’t, andthat’s the point). Get off the ground and stand in solidarity as Black people “die-in” (because it’s not white bodies lying dead on our nation’s streets, and that’s the point). Hand over the bullhorn to a Black person (because your voice doesn’t need a bullhorn to be heard, and that’s the point). 

And please, stop saying #AllLivesMatter…until they actually do. 

EOPLE AND CATER TO THE HYPOTHETICAL AND EXTREMELY RARE POSSIBILITY THAT POLICE OR VIGILANTES WOULD BE ABLE TO EXTRAJUDICIALLY MURDER A WHITE PERSON AND FACE NO CONSEQUENCES!” Black people know our lives don’t matter because white people’s hypotheticals matter more than Black people’s reality.
 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. 

Stop cannibalizing our movements with hashtags about every other life but ours. Stop plagiarizing Black people’s actual struggles for fictionalized white pain (I’m looking at you Hunger Games, with your whitewashed protagonist. “The Hanging Tree?” For real?). Stop scrambling to stand atop the growing pile of dead Black bodies to use it as your makeshift platform to secure more privileges and status for yourself. Stop using protests that should be about Black lives to exercise your white angst, break shit under the cover of darkness, and then bask in the bright light of white privilege while Black lives are declared to be worth less than the windows you broke. 
 

Dear white protestors, this is NOT about you. This IS about making Black Lives Matter.  

Our streets shouldn’t be burial grounds for Black people. Black people’s rights shouldn’t be put to a vote. Black people should be allowed to breathe, walk, exist, without fear.

So, if you’re actually here for making Black Lives Matter, put down your “I can’t breathe” signs (because you can, and that’s the point) and pick up one that declares Black Lives Matter (because right now they don’t, and that’s the point). Get off the ground and stand in solidarity as Black people “die-in” (because it’s not white bodies lying dead on our nation’s streets, and that’s the point). Hand over the bullhorn to a Black person (because your voice doesn’t need a bullhorn to be heard, and that’s the point). 

And please, stop saying #AllLivesMatter…until they actually do.

This was posted on FaceBook by another person and published here on DCF Plantation Blog.