Beyond Irony: the Absurdity of Charges Against Cornell Lewis
On July 4, 2001 a stray bullet from an altercation between two
neighborhood drug dealers on Garden Street, inadvertently hit an utterly
innocent seven year old, Takira Gaston, shattering her jaw, ripping through her
face, and just missing her carotid artery. The little girl, who had
simply been enjoying a holiday celebration with family and friends, underwent
multiple surgeries in the first few days following the incident in order just
to save her life. Fortunately, she survived. But we can only dimly
imagine the lifetime of physical and psychological recovery that she has
subsequently had to endure.
On July 11, 2001, the Hartford Courant made a courageous and
controversial decision to print a front page upper fold photograph of
Takira's swollen, battered face, as she lay fighting for her life in hospital
bed, with feeding tubes and oxygen mask sustaining her through what was a
horrific ordeal. I will never forget that face.
In the weeks that followed, as the city erupted in anger and
despair, I was to find myself enlisting as a foot soldier in Minister Lewis'
fight to take back the streets for the children who live there – forcing the
drug dealers, as he put it, to “scurry back in to the shadows and crevices of
the city like the cockroaches they resembled”. Cornell Lewis has a way
with words.
For weeks, months, and even years afterward, I followed Minister
Lewis as he picketed crack houses, cleared out street corners, occupied
playgrounds and escorted elementary school children to the bus stops because
they were being sexually harassed and solicited to buy drugs on the way to
school. This effort was to evolve into Hartford's Men of Color Initiative,
recruiting responsible neighborhood adults from all walks of life to guard
children on street corners at bus stops so that they could safely arrive at
school. It garnered the support of the mayor, the governor and many
committed residents who were inspired to stand up to the criminal elements who
threatened kids.
Time and time again over the years, I have stood witness as
Cornell Lewis has placed his own safety in jeopardy, putting his very body on
the line between the weapons of criminals and the children in the streets of Hartford. This kind
of courage, this kinds of determination, and this kind of love, is something
that administrators at the Department of Children and Families in Hartford would never
dream of, much less attempt on behalf of the city's youth.
That is why I am appalled and outraged to learn that Cornell Lewis
has been dismissed from his job as a Youth Service Officer at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School.
Not only is the Department of Children and Families terminating his
employment, they are trying to prevent him from ever being able to work with
children again. If this effort succeeds, it will not be Cornell Lewis
that suffers, it will be the kids. It will also be to the great discredit
and misfortune of Department of Families and Children.
Now, I know that Minister Lewis has been outspoken about a pattern
of discrimination and harassment against people of color at DCF. From
long personal experience, I also that Cornell Lewis can be difficult to
disagree with. Believe me, I know. He can be brash and confrontational,
blunt and undiplomatic. He can be relentless. He can be harshly
critical and uncompromising. But all too often, he is also right.
I also know this. There are few people who are so well
qualified to work with troubled youth. Administrators and academicians,
as well meaning as they might be, can be no match for his stamina, commitment,
experience and integrity. As someone who has “been there, done that”, he
understands these kids in a way that few others can. He knows what they
need to turn around. He knows when to stand up to them and when to give
in. He has given his entire adult life to confronting injustice and
protecting children from being victims of violence. His voice and his
perspective are invaluable assets
in the effort to address youth crime and rehabilitate young criminals. I
have listened and learned from him as he has spoken loudly, clearly and
directly to dangerous criminals who are threatening the city's children.
He has demanded that they respect their community and protect the rights
of our children to a safe and carefree childhood. I have made it a habit
to listen to Cornell Lewis... especially when I disagree with him... and I am
sadder perhaps, but much wiser when I do. The Department of Children and
Families might well do the same.
Marcia Morris, Activist New
Hampshire
