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CONGRESSWOMAN MCKINNEY— SUPERB EXAMPLE OF A ‘NON-VICTIM’
By Karen L. Bune
It is not unusual for those who do wrong or commit crimes in society to want to deflect
blame and not be held accountable for their aberrant behavior. How perpetrators view their own actions is of paramount importance and becomes a motivating factor in how they choose to label themselves. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) is a prime example.
When the congresswoman was recently walking on Capitol Hill, she did not display her identification. A United States Capitol Police officer did not recognize her and apparently didn’t know who she was so he asked her to stop for identification purposes. Ms. McKinney was asked three times. Instead of complying with the requests, the congresswoman responded by striking the officer
. A common sense analysis of who the victim is in this circumstance lends credence to the notion that the officer is the victim of an assault, and Ms. McKinney is the perpetrator.
Contrary to the fact, Ms. McKinney
claims she is the “victim”. Instead of acknowledging her failure to initially follow security procedures on the hill, Ms. McKinney now postulates that she is, in her words, “just a victim of being in Congress while Black”. She immediately played the race card regarding the episode. Her attorney—
James W. Myart Jr.—followed suit in labeling her a victim when he stated, “Congressman Cynthia McKinney, like
thousands of average Americans across this country is, too, a victim of the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers because of how she looks and the color of her skin”.
This episode is a classic
example that illustrates how the meaning of true victimization becomes convoluted by the manipulation of facts and words that paint a picture contrary to the reality of actual events. Ms. McKinney
twisted her actions into words that attempt to portray the officer in a bad light and deflect attention and blame from her own inappropriate and delinquent behavior.
The U. S. Capitol Police officer was merely doing his job, and Congresswoman McKinney
should have known that. She was errant in not displaying her identification and when the officer made an appropriate and professional request for her to stop to check her identity, she should have adhered to that request without hesitation. Instead, she disobeyed a police officer, responded in a retaliatory mode by striking the officer, and now laments she is a
“victim”.
Ms. McKinney
is by no means a victim in the true sense of the word and as it applies to this incident. The police officer is the victim—he is the victim of an assault and,
more importantly, an assault on a federal police officer. For this action, Ms. McKinney could and should be
formally charged and criminally prosecuted.
Ms. McKinney has shamefully displayed a lack of respect for authority. Her arrogant attitude lends the appearance
that she feels her position provides her latitude to behave in any manner she chooses. Shamefully, she then draws attention to herself by projecting the “poor me” syndrome in which she incorrectly classifies
herself as a victim.
Clearly, Ms. McKinney is not a bona fide victim
.
As a public servant and member of Congress, Ms. McKinney
has demeaned herself, debased her office, and brought embarrassment to the entire United States Congress. She has exhibited a total lack of regard for propriety and respect for authority. Her reaction to a justified request by a police officer is one that demonstrates a degree of contempt and disrespect that is disconcerting.
Congresswoman McKinney’s
actions, her subsequent hostile and defiant attitude, and her failure to acknowledge and admit any wrongdoing tarnishes the overall image of public service as well as the essence of what a public official should represent related to law-abiding behavior and professional conduct.
Ms. McKinney
certainly is no role model for aspiring public servants. Her adamant refusal to issue an apology to the police officer and her continued pronouncement of her “victimization”
reinforces the notion that Ms. McKinney is seemingly a poor specimen of a public servant and a superb example of a non-victim.
***Karen L. Bune is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at George Mason
University where she teaches victimology. She is a national victim services consultant and a nationally recognized speaker on victim issues.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
To read the response of the US Capitol Police Chief, go to this link with CBS NEWS:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/04/politics/main1469885.shtml
MORE STORIES BY KAREN BUNE:
US CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF GAINER RESIGNS
PERSISTANCE PAYS OFF FOR MIMI
MAJOR LINDA DIXON FULFILLS PROMISE TO VICTIM
METRO DC POLICE GAY AND LESBIAN LIAISON UNIT
U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF GAINER
US CAPITOL POLICE MOUNTED UNIT DEALT A HARD BLOW
TRIBUTE TO CHIEF GAINER
RETURN TO NY COP HOMEPAGE
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