(ThyBlackMan.com) Former police officer and current Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez have recently come under fire for their failure to go after individuals who perpetuate anti-blackness and violence against black residents in Brooklyn, NY.
Adams has been MIA from his black constituents, while remaining completely silent about the gang assault that took place at the New Red Apple Nail Salon, in Brooklyn, where 3 women, including Christina Thomas and her grandmother, Thelma Medley, were savagely beaten with weapons while having acetone thrown in their faces. However, Adams resurfaced last week, just days after 9-year-old Jeremiah Harvey was accused of sexual assault by Teresa Klein in front of a deli in Brooklyn, NY.
On October 10th, while heading home from school after a pit stop at Cookies Department Store, Jeremiah Harvey, and his mom, Someko Ballille stopped at a deli on Albemarle Rd. and Flatbush Ave., and while exiting the store, Jeremiah’s book bag accidentally brushed against Teresa Klein’s backside after she caused a bottleneck at the deli entrance by climbing up and propping herself onto the cashier’s counter with her legs dangling, by the front door of the store. As a result, she accused 9-year-old Jeremiah of sexually assaulting her in a 911 call, after publicly gyrating herself with inappropriate pumping motions, and slapping her own backside in front of Ballille, and young Jeremiah and his 3-year-old sister, who cried uncontrollably at the accusations hurled by Klein. Local resident, Jason Littlejohn recorded the incident on his cellphone and posted it labeling Ms. Klein, “CornerstoreCaroline.”
Since the video of the incident went viral, Eric Adams has stepped back out into the public arena, calling a press conference and neighborhood town hall to promote ‘unity and healing.’ Adams also called on the community to bring their children to the event to teach them about ‘inclusivity and respect,’ which proved to be a daunting task, as none of the local white residents were visibly in attendance. Many local residents complained that Adams only called that press conference in order to repair his tarnished image after he ignored the racist attack that took place against the 3 African American women who were gang assaulted in the same neighborhood, just minutes away from the press conference. There were also several community activists who called Adams a ‘coward’ for using the invited children as a ‘political shield’ from criticism for his failure to equally advocate for his black constituents.
Local activist, educator, and anti-racism trainer, Jade Harriell Arrindell, spoke at the press conference about anti-blackness being projected onto black men, women and children. She addressed the dangers of gentrification and the various ways it impacts the safety and welfare of community residents. She also directly called out Adams, in addition to local Assemblywoman Rodnese Bichiotte of the 42nd Assembly District, for their silence in regard to the viral gang assault on Christina Thomas and her grandmother, Thelma Medley-an incident that took the national stage and accumulated more than 10 million views.
Shortly afterwards, an 11 year old boy named Jordon, who was still in his school uniform, took the microphone and said, “That white lady had so much hate in her heart that she could think that a [9] year old boy could sexually harass her.” He said, incredulously, “I just-I just don’t know why she would think a 9-year-old boy could harm her. I just don’t understand that.” Jordon’s father, who identified himself as “Tony,” said, “If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that equality feels like oppression to the privileged, and what we need to do is, start holding everyone to the same standard of accountability. Where we stand today, if I were to gyrate myself in front of an 8[9]-year-old white girl, I would be charged with a myriad of charges.” He also said, “If you are going to come into our neighborhoods there better be respect.” He also called upon Black men to continue to step in whenever incidents of racism affect our women and children.
Shortly afterwards, Jeremiah was asked by reporters if he forgave Teresa Klein for accusing him of sexual assault, to which he replied, “No, I don’t forgive her.” After that statement, Adams ended the press conference and ushered Jeremiah and his mother away from the cameras. Jeremiah’s response spread across social media and national news outlets like wildfire. Black people all across social media lauded Jeremiah as a ‘hero’ for his stance, praising his candor and courage. However, seemingly overnight, Jeremiah changed his entire position. In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Someko Ballille stated that she ‘forgives’ Teresa Klein, and expressed her desire for Klein not to suffer any consequences for her actions against her son, Jeremiah. Immediately afterwards, Jeremiah was asked again, if he forgives Teresa Klein, also known as “Cornerstone Caroline,” to which he replied (after a noticeably uncomfortable pause), “Yes. Yes, I do.”
Adams has been accused of unethically influencing the mother and son in an effort to pacify the outrage of the community. Some Facebook users have outright accused the Borough President of bribing Bellille.
Facebook user, Dudley Chang, posted a video and screenshot of Bellille in what appears to be a NYC Department of Correction uniform, with the caption, “Looks like there’s more to the #cornerstorecaroline story. Now we know why #teresasueklein is being protected. The kid’s mom is a correction officer. I guess that explains the ‘I forgive you.’”
Building outrage against anti-blackness has been gaining national attention with the many recent instances of white citizens calling the police on Black citizens for the most dubious and completely unnecessary reasons. It has also allured the attention of several civil rights activists and educators, including Philip Scott, Dr. Boyce Watkins and filmmaker, Tariq Nasheed. It has also been mentioned on The Daily Show, with Trevor Noah. Local activists have been vigorously trying to push their elected officials like Adams and Gonzalez, and even New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo, to address and pursue legislation to prevent the misuse of 911 emergency calls against people of color, making it punishable as a class B misdemeanor. The proposed legislation was recently introduced in a press conference by New York State Senator Kevin Parker, who was accompanied by Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, of the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn.
Staff Writer; Tony Lindsay
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