Somebody Tell The White House

I am deeply saddened tonight. A middle-aged Ecuadorian man was beaten to death on Saturday night. He was sitting on a bench in a small park across the street from the Indian restaurant where he worked as a dishwasher. At around 9:30 in the evening he was approached by three youths. Two sat down beside him. One threw a white cloth over his face; a second beat him; while a third video taped the action. The attack appears to have been unprovoked.

This happened smack in the center of town where I have lived off and on for over 50 years. In all that time, I cannot remember anything like this ever happening. The victim was taken to Overlook Hospital where he died on Tuesday.

It took the police and mayor till Tuesday to release a statement. They were hoping the man wouldn’t die so the incident could be swept under the rug and forgotten. Meanwhile, the video had made the rounds on the internet long before. Citizens are understandably outraged. What had taken the mayor so long to warn residents? He claimed that an immediate statement would have compromised the investigation.

An 18-year old was arrested. A 17-year old, who is said to have inflicted the fatal blows, has also been taken into custody, though his name was not released due to his age. The camera guy was let go.

Summit is one of the wealthiest towns in the state. Property values have barely been affected by the recession. The prosperous commercial center where it happened consists primarily of banks, up-scale restaurants and hair salons. Though, since the recession started, there have been some businesses that have closed.

There is a sizable and close-knit Hispanic community here. There will be more blood. It got me to thinking that the race war the White House seems so intent on provoking will misfire. The battle is coming alright. But it will not be fought between whites and all others. Whites will know enough to steer clear.

Somebody tell the White House.