Article from September/October 1998

As featured in September/October 1998

A Sick Indifference

Callous Berkeley Student Fires Up Campus

By Virginia Clark

On May 25, 1997, Sherrice Iverson, a 7-year-old African American was raped and murdered by Jeremy Strohmeyer in a ladies restroom at the Primadonna Casino. David Cash, who knew the intentions of his best friend, Jeremy, and probably witnessed part of the assault, did nothing to stop the crime and after being told about the murder, still did nothing. Yet this man, David Cash, goes on with his life as a student at UC Berkeley.

As I walked the four steep hill blocks to University of California at Berkeley's Sproul Plaza, many questions filtered through my mind. Why was I here as a 60-plus senior who has protested injustices for a lifetime? Especially when I distinctly remember sitting in Golden Gate Park two years ago vowing to pass on the protest baton. So, why did I protest dioxin poisoning at the Oakland Medical Waste Incinerator last month? Now this hideous deed.

When I approached the most prestigious, state-funded university in the world, a view of splendor graced my eyes. The huge buildings surrounded by immaculate lawns and spiraling, ancient redwoods engulfed me. It might be easy to forget that this classy, wealthy, higher learning establishment is the ring leader in institutional racism. It wasn't until the 1960s that African Americans were employed here. Now in the 1990s, the orchestration of Proposition 209 continues on Berkeley's campus within all this splendor.

My questions are vast and varied but my reason and purpose for being here is clear.

In the beginning, David Cash expressed no remorse, stating, "I'm not going to get upset over someone else's life. I just worry about myself first. I'm not going to lose sleep over someone's else's worries." He also stated to the Los Angeles Times that "the notoriety of this case made it easier [for him] to score with women." However, he did regret the loss of his best friend, Jeremy, who is on trial in Las Vegas for the murder.

The university's position is: since Cash has not been charged with a crime, he cannot be expelled. He was accepted before the crime was committed and has been an active student since the fall semester last year. Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl states: "We cannot set aside due process based upon our outrage over a particular instance."

Wednesday, August 26, 1998 was D-Day for Yolanda Manuel, the mother of Sherrice Iverson. She came north from southern California to confront this monstrous anti-social person. Here in Sproul Plaza at high noon, a crowd mixed with students and protesters joined her for the showdown at Uncle Ward Connerly's land.

Protest signs read:

"CASH TO JAIL, NOT TO UC BERKELEY"

"CASH, BURN IN HELL"

" TO IGNORE EVIL IS TO BE AN ACCOMPLICE TO IT"

A woman yelled, "UC Berkeley welcomes pedophiles!" At first I thought this was a little harsh. However, as I analyzed that thought, it invoked my rage. When did I, the protest warrior, become so complacent that I could, even for a split second, be able to extend any empathy for this demoralized coward?

The core of the crowd was emotionally charged, enraged and potentially volatile. The press was in a frenzy. Six media trucks, three were doubled parked. Microphones were everywhere and in everyone's face.

Anonymity was the name of the game. One student voiced out loud: "I feel creepy in the same dorm with him." Then someone else said, "There are a lot of weird people at Berkeley. If we kicked them all out, that would be a lot of people gone."

Well I ask, how many people have let their morality erode to this level? If it is a multitude, then let's get out those old boots and continue the protest, starting with Cash and then Connerly. Not that Ward Connerly has witnessed any crime, but as a public servant, is he not guilty of social indifference? Shouldn't he be ousted for betraying the public trust?

Speeches were made by many people. Mrs. Manuel struggled in her grief to answer questions. Then the word came that Chancellor Berdahl would meet with this distraught mother.

With embraces from Prof. June Jordan and other sympathetic well-wishers, Mrs. Manuel was led to her meeting with the chancellor at the UCB Police Department, at which point the press was blocked.

Since the demonstration, Mrs. Manuel received a donation of $1,000 from the ASUC Senate to help with her expenses traveling to the August 31 trial of Jeremy Strohmeyer in Nevada. David Cash is a witness in the case.

Cash has received many death threats and was offered campus protection. He refused, stating that he did not need it. Anti-Cash graffiti now graces one of those majestic buildings, plus he has been ostracized by most of the campus society.

Once again, the fact is, in all societies the people still maintain the power to punish.

As I retreated from the campus, I stumbled across two men selling The Final CALL newspaper. "Where were you during the protest?" I questioned, remembering the Million Man March and the F.O.I. Protective Circle which Mrs. Manuel desperately needed. Brothers, we need you to make your presence known in full force, to bear witness to the promise of a full life for our children.

Since no experience leaves you where it finds you, and the thought process is continuous, I have found some answers. Thirty years ago I marched for civil rights, to protest a form of man's inhumanity to man. Today, the reasons for protest encompass a much broader spectrum.

When should rage cease?

When there is no more injustice.

When should the baton be passed?

When someone reaches for it.

Virginia Clark is a writer based in Oakland, California.

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