After a month of violence, threats of violence and fear of violence, Cincinnati remains mostly calm. On the surface, unfortunately, that calmness is easily confused with a lack of action in dealing with the city’s deep racial tensions.
But there’s a good deal of activity bubbling underneath the radar, much of it positive. It’s the kind of activity that ultimately will determine whether Cincinnati can bring about any significant long-term changes.
Previous editorials here advocated a three-front attack for city leaders: significant reform of the Cincinnati Police Division, focus of African Americans’ anger; investment in Over-the-Rhine, the city’s long-neglected historic neighborhood; and repeal of Issue 3, the symbol of our city’s prevailing intolerance. I pushed for a comprehensive package of these and other reforms, but it looks like any changes will be made in piecemeal fashion.
Still, there’s some hope. Efforts are underway by the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cincinnati Olympics 2012 to consider putting Issue 3 before city voters again. Cincinnati City Council members and Hamilton County officials are discussing a possible sales tax increase to fund widespread development in Over-the-Rhine and other predominantly black city neighborhoods.
Cynics like me could have a field day bashing the political motives behind such proposals — convention business is down and the Olympic bid is in trouble, and a repeal of the anti-gay rights Issue 3 would help both causes; while the sales tax increase, in addition to neighborhood aid, probably would fund corporate-backed projects such as convention center expansion and The Banks.
During the riots and curfew, Mayor Charlie Luken asked Cincinnatians to be patient while city leaders devised “fundamental change.” People, in return, asked for action.
Up until now, the people’s patience hasn’t been rewarded with much action, and people remain frustrated. Perhaps this behind-the-scenes activity merits a little more patience.
But I think two areas need to be addressed immediately if the drive for change is to keep a head of steam: control of the police and control of the protest movement.
In just the past six months, three Cincinnati Police officers have been indicted in connection with the deaths of suspects; the city has agreed to mediation over a lawsuit alleging racial profiling by Cincinnati Police; 33 citizens have filed lawsuits for police action against them at TransAtlantic Business Dialogue protests or during the unrest following Timothy Thomas’ death; and both the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI have opened investigations of Cincinnati Police tactics. Not a great track record.
Luken, to his credit, said “too many” African-American males have died at the hands of Cincinnati Police and criticized Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President Keith Fangman when Fangman tried to divert attention from police-community tensions to black-on-black crime.
But instead of taking bold action to hold police division leaders accountable for the terrible record, Luken and others have let top officials off the hook — Safety Director Kent Ryan resigned for health reasons, and City Manager John Shirey was allowed to keep his job through Dec. 1. Police Chief Thomas Streicher remains as well.
Politicians walk a delicate line between controlling the police and losing control. The FOP is a strong political force during election time, when its endorsement can help or hurt candidates. And no leader wants to bash the police to such an extent that citizens lose faith in law and order.
But a hallmark of American democracy has always been civilian control of the military. On a local level, that means the people, through their elected officials, must have final control over police forces. I’m not sure we can say that in Cincinnati right now.
I’m also not sure we can say the protest movement, which has accomplished much so far, is under control. The pressure that the Black United Front put on officials to cancel Pepsi Jammin’ on Main, for instance, could have been used to better effect.
Protest leaders should have known that two-thirds of the Jammin’ lineup was local bands and musicians — hard-working, open-minded folks who likely support the cause of better race relations. In fact, a bunch of those and other local bands had already organized a two-day concert this weekend to benefit Thomas’ family. The bands, if asked, certainly would have supported the Black United Front cause on stage during Jammin’ on Main — but they weren’t asked.
Cincinnati is filled with both agents of change and enemies of change right now. Enemies of change have always held the upper hand here, and the agents of change can’t afford to miss any opportunity to work together.
Contact John Fox: jfox@citybeat.com
This article appears in May 16-22, 2001.
