PUBLIC HEARING AT LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

The following speech was given by Cornell Lewis in order to highlight a problem. This document is posted on this website, in order, to give readers a glimpse into the unseen war waged by employees of color against racism / bias in state agencies.

Cornell Lewis                                                                                                                                                       July 2, 2012

Honorable members of the legislative body,

I want to thank you for putting together a forum that allows the public a vehicle by which to address the issues of bias, discrimination, and racism within the Department of Children & Families plus Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, CT.

Aristotle said “the state is the highest form of community, and each state has a responsibility to do that which is best for its citizens.” If these words of Aristotle are deemed as true, then Connecticut has a sacred responsibility to address continual concerns of bias, racism and discrimination of employees (past or present) of color within DCF or CJTS. Let me begin by stating something known for years, DCF has a documented record of allegations of bias toward employees of color. Disciplinary actions are often meted out disproportionately with people of color bearing the brunt of investigations, written reprimands, or loss of employment due to unfair decisions. This is not a hermeneutic problem within both agencies, but something based on evidence.

At CJTS where I am employed as a Youth Services Officer there is a constant battle, from employees of color, to address issues that diminish and objectify  the stature of YSOs by bias & even racist actions from administrators. There is currently a class action lawsuit from five CJTS employees against that agency and DCF. Our entreaties for a semblance of justice have been dismissed, ridiculed, called anecdotal, or lacking anything corporeal. DCF & CJTS pride themselves on presenting facts to show efficacy in treating their clients. Well, that same factual method can highlight how employees of color are filing complaints of bias, being railroaded out of employment, or bludgeoned by using policy & procedures as rods of correction.

Let us say that DCF & CJTS are in states of denial (refusal to grant the truth of a statement or allegation), about what is happening in their facilities. Stanley Cohen writes in his book States of Denial  classical official denials are often used by oppressors such as literal –nothing happened; interpretive-what really happened is something else; implicatory-what happened is justified. Which one of these denials are administrators using at CJTS & DCF to discredit complaints from employees of color?

At CJTS for example, there have been multi-racial protests outside the facility, petitions signed then given to management, a hunger strike lasting eight days- all in 2012. Somewhere in the not too distant past people of color suffered under a racist system that is endemic to America. Now, in this era of proclaiming Jim Crow is dead, we discover the same disease within state agencies. I stand before you as a man depicted in existential philosophy. My fist is raised and shaking at a hostile universe -represented by DCF & CJTS. My voice raised in a soliloquy of anguish. In this defiant moment the existential man is not going to let the hostile universe defeat him.

In conclusion it is my hope that the lawmakers are listening to myself and others appearing today, describing DCF / CJTS discrimination toward employees of color et al., and will act to stop such actions on this new version of a DCF Plantation. DCF &CJTS have not conducted a serious investigation and refuses to do so despite all the pressure this community has brought to bear. Ergo, it is up to the legislature to demand a full and open inquiry.

Legislative Copy

A HUNGER STRIKE AND REPLY OF THE OPPRESSOR

 This story captures the resolve of a person on the DCFplantation to be heard as a sentient human being. Notice the words of a DCF spokes person to the hunger strike "There's been no complaint, there's been no demand, there's been no request......" 

Posting of this story is intended to give readers an idea of the intense nature of the struggle for racial equality.                 ( the date of 10-21-11 may not be the actual date of publication )


By SUSAN HAIGH
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Conn. pastor ponders hunger strike in race spat   

Black pastor and activist Cornell Lewis said Friday he plans to decide this weekend whether to continue his hunger strike to protest what he calls a racist attitude by mostly white supervisors toward employees at the state's only secure facility for delinquent boys.

Lewis, a youth service officer at the Middletown facility, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, announced Monday he would ingest only water, juice and tea. He said he decided to wage the hunger strike because he was frustrated by what he considers to be inaction by the Department of Children and Families, which runs the school.

Lewis, 61, told The Associated Press on Friday that he will decide Saturday whether to continue the strike, begin consuming protein shakes or end the strike. Starting at 208 pounds, at a height of 6 feet, he said he has lost nearly 10 pounds and some muscle mass.

"I'm going to see how I feel," he said. "If I can keep going, I will."

Training School officials have not met any of Lewis' demands, including an apology to the youth service officers for what he says was biased treatment. DCF spokesman Gary Kleeblatt said Lewis hasn't presented a specific complaint of racism to the superintendent of the juvenile facility, William Rosenbeck, for him to investigate.

" Kleeblatt said. "There's just been communication with The Associated Press."

Lewis' protest comes more than a year after he and four black co-workers filed a federal lawsuit against state officials, claiming black employees have been the target of racially motivated disciplinary actions, are promoted at a slower pace than others and have faced harassment. They also have claimed that their opinions and concerns about matters such as restraining Training School residents have been ignored.

The lawsuit lists specific incidents.

Lewis said he has received an outpouring of support, including from minority employees at the Connecticut Valley Hospital, a Middletown psychiatric hospital that also is run by the state. He said even people who've questioned his approach to activism in the past have reached out to him and offered support.

"I think they know that I'm serious," he said. "To do this for five days, it's not been easy."

Lewis worked on Monday but has been off duty for the rest of the week. He is scheduled to return on Saturday.

Kleeblatt said if Lewis does come back to work, there's an expectation by DCF that he can physically perform his duties.

FUND RAISER AND SOCIAL EVENT ABOUT INJUSTICE

Friends,

We want to invite you to a party and legal defense fund raiser for Cornell Lewis. For six years Cornell and others have waged a relentless battle to expose bias and discrimination within state agencies. Cornell has been unjustly terminated from his state job (pending union arbitration hearings) and is paying legal costs associated with his struggle.

Join us for an afternoon of music, light refreshments and important conversation about the ongoing struggle for social justice in Connecticut, and how you can support Cornell’s ongoing campaign to draw attention to and correct inequity in the workplace.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

7 Scotland Road, Bloomfield CT

Suggested donation: $20, at the door

The afternoon will consist of:

·        Special music by friends of Cornell

·        Beverages and light refreshments

·        A brief narrative from Cornell of the history, current status and next steps of his legal challenge to the state agency that terminated him.

·        Event will be outside if weather allows; please bring folding chairs

·        Event moves indoors if weather is inclement

We must join together to keep the momentum of this campaign going. Please join us!

“Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable”             --- Kenyan proverb.

For more information on this event and to RSVP: nrbowden@comcast.net or (860) 212-9596.

For background on the workplace justice campaign itself, see www.dcfplantation.org

This story was written for black owned Hartford newspapers in 2011. It is meant to question the silence of fellow workers at CJTS in light of allegations of bias / racism against administrators.

A GREAT SILENCE ON THE DCF PLANTATION

                                By Cornell Lewis

I have worked at the Department of Children and Families for five years and noticed a repeated pattern among employees. When there are disproportionate disciplinary actions handed out to employees of color, there is great silence. This silence comes not from DCF administrators who continually choose victims (66% of disciplines are handed out to employees of color, see dcfplantation.org) of a dark or brown hue but employees. Since 1970 it is documented how this mammoth state agency continues not to address in a meaningful way allegations of bias or racism; of course DCF has conversations about race and studies to bolster claims of “how they seek a more diverse workplace.” Still the bodies of disciplined employees continue floating downstream in full view of lawmakers, DCF employees, and activists / NAACP officials-but there is still a great silence.

 At Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, Connecticut inquisition type punishment is often handed out based on who management likes or dislikes. There is no uniformity of procedure, only the whim of petty potentates with Napoleon type delusions. At some point the historians write people, being oppressed, will rise against injustice. Why is it that at CJTS there are Youth Service Officers sitting in silence as their co-workers (for years) are led to the slaughter and disciplined out of proportion to infractions? Fear is part of the reason a great silence exists on the DCF plantation; management has been known to dismiss anyone challenging administrative policies. While people in Connecticut begin a new year full of hope, there is little hope for some DCF employees of color. For in 2013 even more victims are being prepared to face a fate of standing bias within DCF plantation compounds in CT.

If people want something to pray about, look no further than a great silence on the DCF plantation.

A LETTER ABOUT INJUSTICE AND PLEA FOR HELP

This letter is posted for the readers to get a feeling of the struggle going on within the DCFplantation. In the future more letters and documents will highlight a continual theme of struggle and workplace bullying.

The Honorable Richard Blumenthal

90 State House Square, 10^th Floor

Hartford, CT 06103

January 9, 2013

Dear Senator Blumenthal,

I remember several years ago you called me in Hartford and left the following message, “Reverend Lewis you are doing a courageous job [ridding the Northend of drug dealers] if you ever need assistance with anything let me know." I always thought it was thoughtful for a man of your importance to personally call a person in Hartford to wish him well. I never asked for your help then, but I'm asking now.

On January 9, 2013 I called your Hartford office and spoke with a lady about racial injustice towards employees of color in the Department of Children and Families. She informed me that your office cannot intervene due to the fact DCF gets funding through the state not federally.

There are two issues I wish to bring to your attention 1). racial discrimination within DCF toward employees is well documented. However, there is little movement toward resolving this issue. 2). I have organized employees to address this issue at my place of employment Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, CT [a class action lawsuit was filed by five employees of CJTS 2 years ago.] Since then, my activism has often caused management to provide extra scrutiny toward me.

At this time DCF management is seeking to retaliate against me by ending my employment [by using policy & procedure over an incident within CJTS] and making it impossible for me to work with youth in the future. 

Senator Blumenthal, a call from your office to William Rosenbeck, Superintendent Connecticut Juvenile Training School (860) 638-2401 would certainly help. Just asking what is going on as it relates to racial bias and retaliation towards me lets management know someone of influence is watching.

You have always stood up for the struggling mass of humanity in Greater Hartford. Please do so now.

Sincerely,

Minister Cornell Lewis

STANDARD OF JUSTICE: ADMINISTRATORS GET LENIENCY WHILE PEOPLE OF COLOR GET FIRED??

The news came as a shock to members of the DCF Plantation writing cadre. It is rumored that two administrators from Connecticut Juvenile Training School received a verbal warning for unauthorized computer use while at work. This supposedly came out when a member of the local union asked a question about various standards of justice at CJTS for staff and administration. Seems as if Gung Ho Charlie administrators, within the plantation, have fired several Youth Services officers for using computers and not being observant of the residents. Yet now the second in command at CJTS is given a verbal warning for excessive- unauthorized computer use, while people of color get the unemployment line.How do you justify an argument for such a standard of justice which allows the school principal of an educational system, at  CJTS, to get away from monitoring residents or their school work? and this while on the computer looking up things risque.
Let me be clear. A lack of leadership is in full swing at the CJTS plantation due to these kind of double standards. Call the role please 1. resident recently almost escapes from CJTS and no administrators are watching the cameras ( who got fired for this?), 2. staff member last week is walked off the property for falsification of time cards, 3. office staff come back from suspension due to computer abuse, and their schedules get re-schuffled allowing them to attend a party in their honor (say what?), 4. a Unit Leader  uses state time to bake cakes and cookies for the triumphal return of employees mentioned in # 3, then  4.management at CJTS finally take action against a white employee, only after the Greek Chorus of complaints ( from people of color and female co-workers) reaches a crescendo.
Back to the original argument of why two CJTS administrators received a lighter punishment that other front line employees caught in the same computer abuse net. It was reported first on the DCF plantation blog how DCF leaders abuse the computer system. Now like magic a, decisive, stand is taken albeit a mild one for CJTS leaders. As a reporter named Paul Harvey once said " and now you know the rest of the story."

NEGROES ON THE DCF PLANTATION AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KING'S SPEECH

The scene of all those black people lining up to board buses ( dressed in fine regalia) headed for Washington D.C. was indeed a sight. All those people of color went on August 28, 2013 in celebration of Martin Luther King's 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Negroes came from all over the country, including the DCF Plantation; why I spotted a few blacks from Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown headed to Washington to pay homage to what King stood for; jobs, ending segregation,  confronting racism, inequality etc. However in my mind there is a disconnect between what King said [ in his "I Have A Dream " speech], and what Negroes on the DCF Plantation are not doing. In other words why go celebrate a man who stood for something and sacrificed his life for an ideal, while negroes on the CJTS plantation are shivering from fear of even speaking the truth ( about bias from administrators). Why are CJTS blacks still whispering in master's house?

 In the world we live in people often refuse to take stands for anything: evil continues unabated - inducing something called spirit death. Yet on the 50th anniversary of that March on Washington people were "fronting" i.e. pretending to be for truth, justice, and the American Way- while looking the other way at injustices on the DCF Plantation in Greater Hartford. King wept on August 28, 2013, how far have black people really come in 50 years? To answer that question just look at the great silence hovering over that institution in Middletown allowing racism to thrive.

THE FIGHT ON THE PLANTATION IS OVER WHOM IS HEARD

Dear Reader,

The following document is just one of many utilized by employees in their quest for justice. In the future more documents will be displayed in order for readers to get a flavor of the struggle waged against bias /racism. The Youth Services Officers (YSOs) signed the document.

            PETITION FOR CHANGE

 We the undersigned are seeking for CJTS management to address a number of   issues at the facility: 1.) A lack of Agency Police Officers [APOs] available to handle assaultive residents, 2.) A restoring of tools for YSOs to implement e.g. Custody, Control, Care and Seclusion in handling residents, 3.) A better partnership between YSOs and clinicians when it involves client interventions /or restraints.

A letter dated Nov. 19, 2010 was sent to Paul Lavalle Union President asking for their intervention on behalf of CJTS YSOs. William Rosenbeck Superintendent CJTS/Bureau Chief also has a copy of letter.

This letter is attached to petition.

NAME                                         TITLE                                UNIT

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5.

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11.

INTERVIEW WITH CORNELL LEWIS ABOUT WORKPLACE BULLYING

This column appears in the August 15 - 22 edition of the Hartford News. Please forward widely!

David Samuels

Founder

Community Party

http://www.facebook.com/CommunityPartyAction

                                                                        Cornell Lewis Speaks Out

Jashon Bryant/Trayvon Martin Act Update: Big shout out to the white Hartford Police officer who delayed rush hour traffic on Albany Avenue in the North End last week. This cop was in his cruiser at a traffic light talking to another white man in a BMW next to him. These two continued their conversation after the light turned green; the cop appeared to be daring anyone behind him to blow their horn. If a North End resident did this they would be ticketed for obstructing traffic, if not arrested.

This officer proved Huey P. Newton's point about the police occupying low income communities of color like a foreign troop occupies territory. His behavior was an example of one of the containment tactics (intimidation) that the police utilize in Black/Brown communities. Say NO to police containment of urban neighborhoods. Support the Community Party's Jashon Bryant/Trayvon Martin Act. We had a conference call on Monday to discuss strategy. Stay tuned for further updates.

*************************************************************************************

Activist Cornell Lews spoke to CP last week about his firing by the Department of Children and Families. Cornell had been an outspoken critic about structural racism at that agency during his nearly 7 year tenure. His case includes classic signs of workplace mobbing, as his termination was preceded by hyper-scrutiny from DCF management. This was evident in the content of emails Cornell has received through Freedom of Information Act requests. A hearing on Cornell's termination has been postponed until September; he maintains that DCF fired him in retaliation for his activism. "My punishment was draconian," Cornell said. "The white employee who was involved in the incident is back at work while the Latino worker remains out on administrative leave."  Statistics that Cornell obtained from DCF through FOI requests support his contention. Black and Latino employees comprise less than half of the DCF employee roster, yet they constitute approximately 70% of the disciplinary cases. The numbers also show that people of color are disciplined more harshly than their white colleagues.

I contacted the DCF office requesting comment from Commissioner Joette Katz. DCF spokesperson Josh Howroyd said that DCF could not talk on the record about Cornell, due to pending litigation (Cornell's lawsuit against DCF). Howroyd also said that Katz could not answer my general question about whether or not she believes that structural racism exists. Howroyd again cited pending litigation as the reason. I was puzzled by this response, because Katz met with Cornell twice in March 2011; Cornell told me that structural racism was a part of their conversation. Cornell's DCF lawsuit was filed in 2010. Howroyd said in his phone message that I should feel free to contact him if I had any other questions, yet he did not return my two follow-up calls requesting to discuss this contradiction. Cornell said that Katz promised to look into the complaints of Black and Latino employees at the facility, but did not speak with him again. Still, Cornell did not have anything negative to say about Katz. "I got the feeling that Katz was earnest about getting to the bottom of the problems at CJTS," Cornell said. "I don't know why she didn't follow up after our meetings." Cornell agreed with my contention that it wasn't in the interests of DCF to acknowledge the existence of structural racism at their agency, because they could then be held legally liable.

In my opinion, DCF carried out a 21st century lynching of Cornell in order to chill dissent among other Black and Latino employees. Unsatisfied with just taking away his job, DCF is also currently attempting to get Cornell placed on a blacklist which would hamper his ability to obtain certain licenses and degrees connected to working with children. "They are using a nuclear option," Cornell said. "There was hardly a ripple of discontent when I started at CJTS. Since we organized there has been a lot of push back by workers of all colors. CJTS wants to prevent their workers from achieving consciousness. We had circulated petitions. People were reading my columns about CJTS in the Hartford Inquirer and the West Indian American." Cornell described the reaction of CJTS employees to his DCF Plantation blog, including some of his higher paid Black colleagues, who apparently don't want to rock the boat because they're cashing big checks. "Co-workers find it interesting, because it describes the world they are in and the people who are controlling them," Cornell said. "Some people of color don't like it. They don't want to stand up. Some of these same people complained about CJTS to me. I find a duality among some Blacks there that is hypocritical."

Cornell is handling his termination with a combination of philosophical acceptance and defiance. "Nobody goes into a fight and doesn't get hit," Cornell said. "I'm prepared for the shenanigans that oppressors pull. I'm not surprised by what happened. I saw the ugly side of management, which is stacked with caucasians. My grandparents come from the South; I was told stories about how they were treated. We're not in the South now, but CJTS is using the same tactics. I'm hearing my grandparents' voices from the past. Policy and procedure is the rope CJTS used to lynch me. These people are the same as the ones my grandparents dealt with, only more educated."

Cornell believes that CJTS has poured gasoline on a fire by terminating him. "A few more sparks, and CJTS may erupt in racial conflagration," Cornell said. "The monolithic white consciousness at DCF refuses to listen to people of color. It's cultural myopia, preventing them from understanding their Black and Brown employees. DCF needs to listen to their employees of color. They need to stop being tone deaf. They need to start listening to what I said about bias and discrimination." Protests are being organized in support of Cornell. Anyone who is interested in getting involved should send an email to dcfplantation@gmail.com.

We'll continue to provide updates on Cornell's battle against DCF. Stay tuned for info on Assemblyman Matt Ritter's town hall on workplace bullying. CP will introduce our Safe Work Environment Act during the 2014 legislative session. Check out the CP Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/CommunityPartyAction). Follow CP on Twitter for state, national and global headlines and updates on the Jashon /Trayvon Act, also coming in 2014. Listen to WQTQ 89.9 FM for CP's public service announcement on our social justice platform. Contact us at 860-206-8879 or samuelssloflo@aol.com.

Resources:

Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton talks about police containment of Black communities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuU7bEqKcLk

Article on workplace mobbing:

http://www.seydl.eu/en/workplace_mobbing.html

DCF management emails obtained by Cornell Lewis through a Freedom of Information Act request: 

http://www.dcfplantation.blogspot.com/2013/08/e-mails-lead-to-somewhere-about-cornell.html

WHO IS WATCHING THE WATCHERS?? ( RESIDENT ALMOST ESCAPES CJTS )

I was told a story once about soldiers in antiquity going to fight in a war. These soldiers left behind wives, lovers and children. The soldiers paid a group of men to watch their loved ones until the war ended. But as they marched off to war someone said in Latin quis custodiet ipsos custodes "who will guard the guards themselves?" This phrase came to mind upon hearing rumors about an attempted escape by a resident at Connecticut Juvenile Training School August 19, 2013 in evening. It has been reported to DCFplantation blog that on Monday a male resident from Unit 5C tied sheets and shoes together and threw them over a fence in his escape attempt; to make matters worse all those cameras failed to pick up this resident's escape from CJTS. He got to the top of that fence, but failed to pull himself over,thus like Icarus in classical mythology falling from the sky. Then the resident was restrained and put in a padded cell. Seems like the employees who missed this on camera need a padded cell.What is even more interesting are these facts 1. the resident wore street clothes while attempting his escape, 2. the resident had currency ( $20 dollars) on him, 3. he had a contact list of people to call after getting out.
Administrators fired me and a Puerto Rican employee for looking at a computer and not noticing two residents fighting. Now a resident tries getting over a fence in evening, but nobody is watching? Why is there not an investigation about the following things ( a.) how did the resident manage to hide clothing and money?,  (b.) how did the resident manage to go undetected from Unit 5C for such a period as to change clothes and throw sheets, plus shoes, over a fence?? It is time to ask if CJTS administratiors are going to fire people in operations who supposedly watch? Let me be clear, there is no way with all those cameras around CJTS this should or could happen. Two Youth Services Officers fired for watching a computer but the good ol' boys in administration get a pass? Please give me a break.
This is a gross injustce in the making if  CJTS administrators are allowed to fire a Puerto Rican and African American male over looking at a computer, but turn a blind eye while someone ( like them ) in operations gets a pass for not watching camera screens.
Wonder if the outcome of this investigation will be based on race (?)

BLACK MEN ARE STILL MEETING THE SAME FATE WITH DIFFERENT METHODS

The depiction of a noose and men hanging from a tree in this video is not meant to convey violence toward any person or institution. Though the noose might shock some, it is part of a historical legacy that America embraced in the past.

E-MAILS LEAD TO SOMEWHERE ABOUT CORNELL LEWIS. "Sunlight is the best disinfectant" Justice Louis D. Brandeis

 I want the readers of these e-mails to make a decision. Please decide if the following e-mails proof of a cabal against an activist?

1. Jury duty e-mails pages 7 and 22 to 27(esp. p.26 where e-mail cast doubt on Cornell's veracity?)
2. This e-mail about a book of black political satire resulted in Cornell being investigated by Human Resources/ no action taken p.30
3. CJTS leader requesting administrators meet about Cornell / how to supervise him. p.31
4. Extra scrutiny collective e-mail response July 13, 2011 about Cornell e-mail on 6/29/2011 p.34
5. Collective DCF / CJTS response to extra scrutiny e-mail by Cornell 6/29/2011 p.69
6. Original complaint about extra scrutiny.p.70.
7. E-mail alluding that Cornell is hard to supervise due to his e-mails. p.72
8. Gesture used as reason to write disciplinary report on Cornell. Sign placed for resident who asked same question 30 times in a row. p.75
9. Jury Duty questioned by staff. Why? p.79
10. Jury duty paperwork for court. p.80
11. DCF / CJTS cabal respond to Cornell's e-mails. p.90.
12. E-mails from DCF / CJTS about Cornell's e-mails p.92 this is a later official response to me p.92
13. See p.93, p.106, pages 141 to 144

Click here to see the file

WORKERS DEMANDED A HEARING AND GOT IT IN 2012

                   PUBLIC HEARING

LOCATION: LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

                         HARTFORD

  TIME: 4PM-7PM

  DATE:  July 2, 2012

OCCASION:  A PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT RACISM IN 

                           DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES.

                                                 ALSO

                           CONNECTICUT JUVENILE TRAINING SCHOOL

                            BIAS, DISCRIMNATION, RACISM.

                           EACH SPEAKER HAS 3-5 MINUTE LIMIT.

                            

                           PLEASE BRING A TYPED SPEECH & COPIES

                           FOR LEGISLATORS.

NOW IS A CHANCE FOR YOU TO SPEAK ABOUT RACISM, BIAS, AND DISCRIMINATION.

SPONSORED BY MEN OF COLOR & SELF DEFENSE BRIGADE

            

ADMINISTRATOR'S E-MAILS AND CORNELL LEWIS

The dcfplantation blog recently received a group of e-mails through Freedom of Information Act concerning Cornell Lewis. Several administrators at Department of Children and Families plus Connecticut Juvenile Training School used the name Cornell or Lewis in the subject or body of their e-mails.
Later in the week these e-mails will be posted so that readers can determine if a cabal existed against Lewis.

MORE SUPPORT FOR CORNELL LEWIS /CRITICISM OF DCF

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

VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS: A PORTENT OF THINGS TO COME

Minister Cornell Lewis has spent many years fighting for justice for all oppressed people. Most recently, he has been facing a battle that is both political and personal. He has been fighting with his (former) employer, the Department of Children and Families (DCF),  regarding treatment of Black and Latino employees. He has planned protests in front of DCF offices, he has urged residents of Hartford’s North End  to learn their rights and deny DCF workers admittance to their homes without just cause. He has written articles and letters regarding the treatment of Black and Latino employees and the lack of representation in the managerial ranks. He has also filed a suit against DCF, along with some of his co-workers from the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS), due to the disparate treatment of Black and Latino males.

As a result of his fight for justice within DCF, Minister Cornell Lewis has lost his job. DCF fired him over and incident they CLAIMED put children in danger. In reality, he was fired because he was considered a rabble rouser. In fact, DCF used various methods to try to get him to resign. But that is not the type of person Minister Cornell Lewis has ever been  or will ever be. Although he is no longer employed by DCF, he vows to continue to fight for fair treatment for Black and Latino employees.

It is unprecedented for a state employee to be dismissed unless there is proof of gross incompetence. That is not evident in this case. Minister Lewis has been a positive influence in the lives of the children he has been working with, and should be seen as an asset to DCF and CJTS. Instead, he has been targeting unjustly simply for fighting for his rights and for the rights of other people of color in the employ of DCF.

DCF involved two fellow employees of CJTS in their disciplinary action against Minister Lewis. Although they have not been terminated, and probably will not be, this was a transparent ploy of the part of the CJTS administration to cause friction between Cornell Lewis and his co-workers. Minister Cornell Lewis has refused to allow this sort of injustice to continue simply for fear of “making waves”. He may be despised, dismissed and turned against by former allies, but he WILL continue to fight.

Joanna Iovino, Editor, the Hart Monitor

ARE STORM CLOUDS GATHERING OVER THE PLANTATION?

I helped organize a rally in Lozada Park -Hartford, CT- recently to give neighborhood people a chance to vent about Trayvon Martin. People are upset about George Zimmerman being acquitted of Trayvon's death. While 300 plus people gathered at Lozada Park another dynamic took me by complete surprise. During and after several speeches, comments were made about my recent firing by the Department of Children and Families and Connecticut Juvenile Training School. The media reported my position " the termination is due to my activism and use of free speech rights in pointing out bias--injustice." In the Northend of Hartford and other areas people see DCF as having been punitive in their handling of me. At the rally most conversation revolved around how to answer the bold action toward me from a state agency.

Let it be known there are people in the community planning demonstrations toward CJTS/DCF in the near future. I want to be clear it is not Cornell Lewis who will be out there in front of these agencies but other people. It is not Cornell planning this but the mixed rabble. When people commit certain actions, the ramifications of those deeds take on a life of their own. In this case dark clouds- of community distrust and anger- are gathering over the DCF Plantation which might morph into something else.
In closing let me state it is my hope the community does not go buck wild and demonstrate etc, yet the situation is not being controlled by me.
I just wanted to inform the public about what is happening in Hartford's Northend.

NOW THEY CLEAN IT UP: CJTS CHECKING COMPUTER USE

The concept of leading from the rear is nothing new within administrative circles on DCFplantation. Since FOIA documents revealed { on this website} how DCF leaders abuse state computers while working, a new policy is quietly taking place. At Connecticut Juvenile Training School administrators are investigating employee computer use.However, it took DCFplantation documentation to make this new policy happen.Like the old KeyStone Cops characters CJTS leaders are always a day late and dollar short: the abuse of state computers is nothing new,winked at especially if maanagement was involved. There are rumors CJTS leaders now seek to go back at least 5 years to ascertain who  unlawfully used computers. Hey, how come leaders were not out in front of such an issue earlier? Now through the process of leading from the rear ( only acting on an issue after it is problematic) CJTS leaders are gung ho for something.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: POLICY AND PROCEDURE LYNCHING

This video cartoon is meant to convey a social justice message. The video is not intended to promote violence toward any person or institution.

"AP News Break: Outspoken Conn. DCF critic fired"

APNewsBreak: Outspoken Conn. DCF critic fired

By SUSAN HAIGH / Associated Press / July 11, 2013

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An activist minister and Department of Children and Families employee who has long been critical of his employer over racial issues, has been fired from his job as a youth service officer at the agency’s Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown.

A DCF spokesman confirmed Thursday for The Associated Press that Cornell Lewis, a six-year employee at the state’s only secure facility for delinquent teenage boys, was terminated on July 3 following an incident last October when he failed to supervise youth under his care.

Gary Kleeblatt said Lewis was found on a computer with two other officers looking at non-work related content when a youth ‘‘received a serious injury.’’

Lewis and another officer were looking at the computer for approximately 25 minutes, while the third was watching for about four minutes, DCF said.

Kleeblatt said Lewis had failed ‘‘his most important duty and responsibility.’’

Lewis, 63, contends his firing, which he plans to challenge, is retaliation for his years of activism and public criticism of DCF and CJTS.

‘‘The incident is being used as an excuse to get to me,’’ he told the AP. ‘‘I've been targeted for the six years that I've been at DCF. I've been targeted as a black man who exercises his free speech and DCF has a bad record of disproportionately disciplining black men.’’

Lewis has been involved in a number of protests over the years, attempting to draw attention to what he claims is a racist attitude at both DCF and the training school. In 2009 he went so far as to encourage residents to refuse services from DCF because he said it lacked sufficient minority staff. Click here to keep reading.