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From Bleachers to Battle: My Fight Against Police Injustice
A Night at the Basketball Game Turns Violent
It was a different world when I was graduating high school, especially when it came to finding work. My personal story starts at an East St. Louis and Cahokia basketball game. There was a big rivalry, and I was just trying to get something to eat at halftime. That’s when an officer approached me, accusing me of being somewhere I shouldn’t. I was confused, as I hadn’t done anything. But I did notice a guy wearing a Southpole sweater, just like mine.
The officer told me to ‘get to walking,’ then grabbed me by the back of my shirt, slammed me on my head, and that’s when the hands had to fly. I was being hurt, and I hadn’t done anything wrong. It took a while, but they eventually overpowered me. I ended up with a busted eye from a kneecap to the head.
False Charges and a Shocking Revelation
My classmates watched from the wall, shouting that what was happening wasn’t right. I was grabbed by my neck, lifted off the floor, and choked. They kept asking, ‘What’d you say?’ while I was still trying to fight back. Eventually, they got me outside, where it was chaotic. People from my school were crying, wondering what they had done to Corey, knowing I wasn’t the type to cause trouble.
I was charged with disorderly conduct, assault on a police officer, and assault and battery. When my mom tried to get the footage, they claimed the camera was ‘down.’ What they didn’t know was that a family member of mine, Kenneth Berry, was the head detective there. He let them know they ‘got the wrong boy,’ and they cleaned up their trail, but nothing ever truly came of it. My mother didn’t understand how to fight the situation, but as a young man, I didn’t realize the full impact.
Years later, I got my hands on the paperwork my mom had kept. I saw all the officers involved in beating me – about four of them. And then came the shocking part: the guy who choked me, who did all that extra, was the Chief of Police, Ken Berry. He was awarded after beating on me! It made me wonder how many other people he had beaten on, because I couldn’t believe I was the only one.
From Trauma to Advocacy
This experience left a lasting mark. I developed anxiety around crowds, stemming from that night when the stadium was packed. It made me realize the importance of psychology – understanding what triggers you, what affects your mind. Being passive about it wasn’t an option. When I saw that paperwork and realized the chief of police had been awarded after beating me, it bothered me deeply.
I didn’t dwell on the situation; instead, I looked for ways to become stronger. I wanted to ensure that if there was a ‘next time,’ it would be in my favor. I needed to be skillful enough to face multiple people. This mindset led me to embrace a different path. When I couldn’t get hired due to my record, Troy, a friend from high school, showed me how to work on computers and make instrumentals. That skill helped me get by for years, giving me the freedom to quit jobs I didn’t like.
A Call for Accountability and Community
I even wrote a letter to Ken Berry before I ran for mayor, asking if he would be willing to rectify the situation, to talk about it. He never responded. If I could talk to him now, I’d tell him about my hard background and how I learned to overcome adversity. I wouldn’t dwell on the past, but rather emphasize that if he has caused a world of pain to other people, he should try to do something about it. He needs to do something for the community that will actually help them, instead of perpetuating the same oppression.
This is where our distrust of the police comes from – from experiences just like that. There was no resolution, no justice, just being treated like a ‘punching bag.’ That’s why LCS (Legal Community Support) is so important. If something is wrong and you don’t have anywhere else to go, you can come to us. We’re the advocates who will push the button, who won’t be manipulated. That’s a beautiful thing, and people need that.
Disclaimer: The info in this article may or may not be true. This was taken from a conversation from The Grind It Up Podcast and should not be used as your reliable news source but rather entertainment.
This info can be found in this episode of The Grind It Up Podcast
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