It has been three years since the tragic loss of a young boy, Malik Jones, who was shot by police while playing with a toy gun in Cleveland, Ohio. As many families gathered to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, few paused to reflect on the anniversary of Malik’s death. Each time this date arrives, I think of my own son, who, at the same age as Malik when he was killed, is now a teenager full of dreams and aspirations.
As a mother and an attorney, I grapple with the painful reality that officials at every level stripped Malik of his childhood innocence to rationalize the tragic decision to take his life. The law, despite its stated ideals, failed to protect Malik or deliver justice to his family. If the justice system could fail a child like Malik, it raises concerns about the safety of any child in a similar situation, including my own.
The Dehumanization of Innocence
In the eyes of the law, the innocence of Black children appears to be nonexistent. From the moment the gunshots rang out, one officer at the scene described Malik as a fully grown man, saying, “Shots fired, male down. Black male, possibly 20, with a black firearm nearby.” Such language dehumanized a child, placing the blame for his own demise on Malik’s actions that day, as stated in a notorious court filing. The city of Cleveland later issued an apology for this insensitive wording.
Additionally, during a news conference where it was announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer involved, the county prosecutor, David Turner, commented on Malik’s size, suggesting it contributed to the fear experienced by the officer who shot him. This reasoning implied that Malik, merely by existing, bore responsibility for his own death.
Bias in the Justice System
While Turner urged the public to empathize with the victim, his actions revealed a bias favoring the officer’s perspective. According to his interpretation, the officer’s split-second decisions were justified, essentially prioritizing the officer’s fear over the life of a child. This situation is compounded by Ohio’s open-carry laws, which mean that adults can carry guns legally in public—yet Malik was not afforded the same presumption of innocence.
The Department of Justice’s investigation into the Cleveland Police Department uncovered a troubling pattern of officers protecting one another, often undermining impartial investigations of deadly force. The findings highlighted a systemic issue where the rights of Black individuals, even in contexts where they should be protected, are often disregarded.
A Shared Concern
Reflecting on these injustices, I am acutely aware that any Black or Brown child could be next. Michelle Simmons expressed this sentiment poignantly when she said, “It’s far easier to discuss race and justice with strangers than to explain it to my son, who will soon have to navigate these realities.”
The failures of the justice system in Malik’s case underscore the importance of accountability for local prosecutors, the need for diligent data collection on police conduct, and the necessity for reform in legal standards governing police use of force. In light of the current administration’s adverse stance on civil rights and the slow progress of policing reform, the urgency of these issues cannot be overstated.
Commitment to Change
As I reflect on Malik’s family, who cannot celebrate another year of his life, I reaffirm my commitment to advocate for systemic changes that will enable all Black children, including my own, to embrace their innocence without the looming threat of law enforcement.
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Summary
Three years after the tragic death of Malik Jones, who was shot by police while playing with a toy gun, the systemic issues surrounding police accountability and racial bias remain glaringly evident. As a mother and attorney, I reflect on the implications of these failures, recognizing that any Black child could face similar dangers. The urgency of reform in policing and the justice system is more pressing than ever, particularly in light of current political climates that threaten civil rights.