A Little Late

        Several years ago, The Federal Bureau of Investigation decided to reopen over 112 "cold cases" from the 1960's. These cases all involved blacks who were killed by whites in the south during the civil rights movement. Only 20 of these cases have resulted in anything more than a hand delivered, long overdue, letter of condolence to the surviving family members of the dead. In 1965, J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI, received a letter asking for justice in the killing of a well respected black merchant. Frank Morris owned a shoe repair store in Louisiana. When he went to work one day, he was met by two white men. One pointed a gun at Frank while the other poured gas out of a canister and lit a match. Mr. Morris lived for four days after the attack, but never gave up the names of the men who committed the crime against him. He feared for the safety of his family. The letter sent to Mr. Hoover stated: "Your office is our only hope so don't fail us." It was signed: The Colored People of Concordia Parish (Louisiana). This crime, along with many others, was never solved. Oftentimes, the police either looked the other way or were somehow involved themselves. Fifty years later, the FBI has decided to look into the violent crimes that consumed the south during the 1960's. While some people have had their hopes raised that justice might be served, others believe that the letters they received have just added more of an insult to their loss. The letters basically say: the case has been officially closed and that there is nothing more that can be done. "Please accept our condolences." Is this just a dignified way for the government to recognize their mishandling of these cases and issue and apology? Some people think that it is.
      Part of the problem with reopening a 50 year old case is that there is very little new evidence that can be authenticated. Most of the people involved in these cases are in the seventies and eighties, and some of the parties are dead. Peoples memories of the details of the cases are no longer very reliable. Opening up the painful past has not resolved very much for the families of the victims. In only a couple of cases has justice been served. What is the purpose of the Cold Case Initiative? Some government officials claim that they are trying to find justice for the families who never saw anyone tried for these murders. Other government officials say that it is more about just finding the truth. While I am not sure if I would want that kind of painful memory reopened, I think that the government acknowledgment and apology can only help heal those wounds.