Black Judge Target of Brooklyn Courthouse Graffiti
The first African-American judge elected to the Brooklyn Surrogate Court—Diana Johnson—was the subject of graffiti found spray painted inside the Brooklyn Courthouse this morning, confirmed a spokesman for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
The graffiti, found inside an elevator in the courthouse, referenced Johnson and the n-word, according to two readers.
Al Sharpton, Johnson, Markowitz, and others are planning to hold press conference at Borough Hall in Brooklyn at 2 p.m.
UPDATE: Here's the info about the news conference, sent to me from Markowitz's office:
Friday, January 25, 2008
2:00 pm
Brooklyn Borough Hall Rotunda
209 Joralemon Street
Council member Leticia James holds news conference with Reverend Al Sharpton, NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Community Relations Council and elected officials regarding possible bias incident involving Surrogate Court Judge Diana Johnson.
Contact: Council member Leticia James’ Office 718-260-9191
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Oh Lord, here come the rabble rousers. Another non-issue turned into a federal offense so Al Sharpton can get his ugly face in front of the camera. If he were a real warden of "his" people, he would confront the economic issues that face black Americans, as well as the increasing tension between blacks and Hispanics in many urban centers across the fruited plain. But I guess that's not politically correct, nor would it draw many cameras. Calling Tawana Brawley....
Spray painting the n-word and directing that against a judge inside a courthouse is a "non-issue"??
It's an issue, yes, but certainly nothing justifying another self-promoting press conference for Sharpton. Had the graffiti said "death to that guinea, Judge Italiano!" or "every mick should die, including Judge O'Connor," no one would have done anything other than wash it off.
But because it targeted one of New York's sacred cows, it's more face time for Sharpton. If this Judge has any integrity, she'll ask that he stay out of it and let the police do their job.
I'm not African American. But, a racial crime inside a courthouse building, against a sitting judge in a protected group is more than newsworthy. If I were the Mayor or Commissioner of Police and Correction (anywhere in law enforcement for that matter), I would be all over this. In fact, the FBI should take this over, and it would not be an overreaction.