By Boyce Watkins, PhD
I spoke with Rev. Al Sharpton about the death of 7-year-old Aiyana Jones last Monday. I could hear in his voice that he was genuinely concerned about what happened and attempting to determine whether the police had done anything wrong when breaking into her home last Saturday night with flash-bang grenades to apprehend a murder suspect.
I can't tell you what Sharpton was thinking, but I know I personally felt there was something seriously wrong with throwing grenades into a home with children present. There has got to be a better way. With my father being a police veteran, I always take my time to decide if officers are in the wrong, but in this case, I really wondered how the Detroit police could explain away this mishap.
Sharpton gave the eulogy for Aiyana Jones. Her funeral came to mark a generation of despair in one of the cities hardest hit by the recent economic downturn.
"I came because I feel we must stand and show the value and worth of the lives of our children," Sharpton said.
His eulogy brought the crowd to its feet, as he was left with the task of mixing delicate but critical, socio-political dialogue into a time of intense sadness. He asked why flash-bang grenades are being used in the presence of children, and why so many men are able to make babies instead of raising them. He also reminded the listeners that personal responsibility is critical to overcoming our challenges in life.
"Even if you are not responsible for being knocked down, you are responsible for getting back up," he said.
The eulogy was held at Second Ebenezer Church. Rep. John Conyers was present, along with Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. Rev. Horace Sheffield III called Aiyana a "fallen angel" and said that "a grief shared is a grief diminished," thanking those who came out to support the family.
Even the family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, gave an address at the eulogy. "By her death, Aiyana has paid for a justice that will save the lives of other children," he said. "Let us now collectively cleanse the shadow of fear and violence from our hearts."
A family friend read poems written by Aiyana's parents. "The pain is hard to bear," said Charles Jones, Aiyana's father. "Just keep on shining down from heaven. These words are from my heart to my baby. Without all my love, and no one to give it to!!! Love Daddy."
Aiyana's cousin Diamond Howard, who is 8-years old, wore a T-shirt with Aiyana's picture on it. The two attended elementary school together. "We did our math together," she said. "We taught each other how to do our spelling words. I didn't get to say goodbye."
Aiyana was shot at 12:40 a.m. on Sunday night. She was hit while sleeping by a bullet from the Special Response Team. Officer Joseph Weekley is the man who has been identified as the shooter. He has been put into a desk job until the investigation is complete.
Officers are claiming that contact with Aiyana's grandmother caused the gun to go off accidentally, while the family's attorney is claiming that video contradicts the officers' accounts of the incident. Fieger, the attorney, claims that the deadly shots were fired from outside the home, not inside, as the officers claim. He even argues that the shooting was not accidental.
"This isn't an accidental shooting," he said. "There was no time for a confrontation [with the grandmother]."
Mike Cox, the Michigan Attorney General, said he was "disgusted" by Rev. Sharpton's presence at Aiyana's funeral. Sharpton has simultaneously questioned whether Cox's office can properly oversee the investigation into Aiyana's death. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, who was criticized for not making any public statements right after the death, has said that the family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, is only interested in money and is using the case for his own personal benefit.
It's official: The shooting death of Aiyana Jones has turned into a heavily politicized media circus. Everyone is on the attack and counterattack, and I don't anticipate this situation dying down any time soon. My personal objective is to see that justice is served and to find out how this little girl was killed. At that point, we must find a way to ensure that such a senseless death never happens again.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book 'Black American Money.
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