CPR Responds to Bratton’s Comments on ‘Values’ of Black Families, Youth

In response to comments NYPD Commissioner Bratton made on MSNBC’sMorning Joe about the ‘values’ of Black communities and communities of color, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from Veronica Bayetti Flores.

“Police Commissioner Bratton has now once again promoted regressive and racist views that seek to place blame for crime and other societal challenges on the 'values' of Black families and those of other New Yorkers of color. It's insulting and troubling for these extreme comments to be made by a top member of city government, and his comfort in doing so speaks to the challenges our city and country still face with racism. While the rhetoric alone is unacceptable, it has real implications in how the officers under Bratton's command perceive and treat Black and Brown New Yorkers. It's time for officials of our city government to stop this rhetoric that debases families and communities, and instead focus on addressing and repairing the damage from the decades of harmful public policy.”

BACKGROUND

In comments on MSNBC’s Morning Joe this morning, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton pointed to the controversial report, “The Negro Family,” written by then-Assistant Secretary of Labor Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Rather than addressing government’s role, Bratton only referred to the “disintegration of family, the disintegration of values” to explain murders and violence in cities.

In These Times, Daniel Geary: The Moynihan Report is Turning 50

The Root (The Du Bois Review), Herbert Gans: Remember the Moynihan Report?

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Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment. CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.