LAPD Muslim Mapping- Those Sweet Words

When I heard the Chief publicly say that the "LAPD Muslim Mapping program" had been "killed" it was the sweetest thing in the world- besides the search for the sweet one.

This Mapping program was the most ill conceived, ill advised, most offensive thing to democracy and America I can imagine. However, I feel that even with these sweet words imploding the program, I am not at rest. There is a ugly cultural reality that came to light concerning this whole matter- the LAPD still views the entire Muslim community with suspicion.

Why make such a claim? Sitting in the meeting, being involved in organizing against this as well as handling the research and media aspect of this escapade, I was hard pressed in trying to put my heart at rest as I listened intently to the Chief and found nothing to bolster that initial joy I had at hearing him kill the program.

The chief stated- "I heard the community, the community is against this; community engagement is about having the community be on board, and I understand that the community does not want to be on board." (paraphrased)

What I failed to hear was this- "That we (LAPD) see why this plan is offensive to the Muslim community, to all people of faith and to our Constitution. I understand that to have a partnership we must be equal and fair, so I am for this reason scrapping the program."

This might seem like subtle nuances in semantics but its critical in "moving forward" because it presents the culture that exists in the LAPD which to me given the statements made by the Chief still bolster the idea that LAPD believes that Muslims are prone to terrorism, radicalization, that they are not partners and must be "investigated" even if there is no justified evidence.

That is in essence the problem. I am not going to prove my innocence as a Muslim. I shouldn't have to prove my innocence- "innocent until proven guilty". The police- and government- must prove without a shadow of a doubt that I am guilty of something, anything! It should not be based on the fact that I am brown, that I go back to Pakistan every 14 years, or that I speak Urdu and excuse me if I refuse to watch mainstream media and instead get my news online, or that I am brown and happen not to "assimilate" and celebrate New Years with champagne. And please forgive me for being a practicing Muslim, because that behavior in itself is a liability for radicalization. That, or any other number of things, should not make me suspicious and the fact that LAPD cast such a large shadow of suspicion on the Muslim community with the announcement of this plan, it behooves LAPD to not only understand but to accept and change the cultural root of where this "brilliant idea" came from.

What I want readers to understand is that while I am elated and commend LAPD for dropping the program, I left that meeting with unanswered questions. These questions, if answered will help in understanding the relationship we have in the future. Right now I am not comfortable with the relationship because LAPD has not answered these questions, leaving me in a weak (unequal) position when it comes to "moving forward".

Here are my questions:

1. WHERE DID THIS PLAN ORIGINATE?
2. Who developed it?
3. Who was consulted?
4. Why and how does the Manhattan Institute (for some reason Usha (?) was left off the list) and Westwood college come to a meeting with the Muslim Community? what is their role?
5. Where is the funding for this program coming from?
6. What/why was USC involved especially a program that does risk assessment for terrorism purposes- people largely who are engineers and the like?
7. Which persons, organizations were involved in the 18 months of dialogue and planning that lead up to this?
8. Who was responsible for putting together the testimony for Deputy Chief downing, they are the ones in need of grilling because they obviously have issues with how they understand and perceive the Muslim community?
9. Why was the program couched in Community Engagement?
10. Why was MPAC implicated as a community partner if it was not a community partner? If it was a misunderstanding when this misunderstanding occur? How did the misunderstanding occur?
11. Downing had been involved with Islamic Center of Southern California, meeting with and getting information from Dr. Hasan Hathout and others, what was their role in this? Were they being used to justify this matter?

These questions were brought up, not addressed or stepping away from the meeting remained.

Because I am not satisfied completely, I support (and I will continue to support because documentation really will clear stuff up) the ACLU's effort for a PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST.

This was made on Wednesday, I believe and basically, it seeks that the LAPD turn over memo's, letters, emails and other documents regarding this whole idiotic saga. I believe those documents will bring to light some understanding of where things stand in the LAPD and we can "move forward" with a better understanding on how to address the culture and reality that is within the LAPD when it comes to the Muslim community, which I feel is still viewed through the lens of "counter terrorism" (or worse "terrorism") only.

But I take solace in the Chief understanding that "criminality" should be the basis of LAPD work not suspicion, that was a masterful insight. So I give LAPD the benifit of the doubt "moving forward" however it will make the process much more easier if I get answers to my questions.