Where’s the coverage?
Ashlynn Cartrette, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of https://pixabay.com
While the world is focused on major news events of the day, other stories go underreported. The Vision is beginning a new series about news events that didn’t receive the coverage we think they are deserve. Look for these stories every week on our website.
On September 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, a deaf man named Magdiel Sanchez was shot and killed by police investigating a hit-and-run incident that did not involve Sanchez. According to neighbors, Sanchez carried a pipe with him to defend himself from stray dogs. Police saw Sanchez holding the pipe and began ordering him to drop the weapon, but Sanchez did not understand because he was deaf. Neighbors were yelling, trying to tell the officers that he could not hear, but their warnings did not help. Sanchez was shot and killed, victim of a fatal misunderstanding. It is unclear as to how many shots were fired or if a taser was deployed as well, but Sanchez was pronounced dead on site. Police later discovered that the person they were looking for was in fact Sanchez’s father. It was confirmed that Sanchez was deaf by his father and neighbors.
2. Kurdistan vote to declare independence
A recent vote that took place on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, revealed that roughly 92 percent of voters in Iraqi Kurdistan want to have independence from Baghdad. While some people gathered to celebrate this idea of being an independent country, it has also sparked controversy from others in the country. Threats of enforcing land and air blockades have begun and are rumored to begin being imposed starting Friday. There is much concern surrounding the area of Kirkuk in Kurdistan, because it is a valuable source of oil production. Disagreements are sure to arise not only regarding the desire of freedom, but also in relinquishing control over precious resources in the Kurdistan land.
3. NC federal judge accused of racism
Controversy has arisen in the North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee as members of the Congressional Black Caucus have accused nominee Thomas Farr of racism. Farr is President Trump’s choice for North Carolina federal judge. The question of racist leanings came from the approved redistricting maps that were found to contain racial gerrymanders. These accusations have lead to investigation and questioning Farr’s ability to perform as a federal judge. Other sources, such as Sen. Richard Burr, have spoken highly of Farr’s ability to uphold the expectations of that role, as well as Farr’s upstanding moral character. A vote on the North Carolina judicial vacancy has yet to take place.
