The recent police events have brought me back to the BLOG. For the first time in my life I am honestly afraid to have certain interactions based solely on the color of my skin. Riots and civil unrest have occurred in these United States of America in almost every decade of every century. Most notably are those that occurred from the 1940's through the 1960's. Watts, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Newark, New York City, Rochester NY most occurring during the summer months of July and August. The majority of these uprisings stemmed from either real or perceived police brutality. July and August 2014 is no different; in a 4 week period spanning these two months four black men ranging in age from their teens to their 40's have been killed at the hands of police across the country.
Unless you or someone close to you have been violated by the police it is difficult to wrap your mind around how traumatizing the event can be. Quite frankly although it seems to be open [hunting] season on black men both young and old, no one is excluded. Black women, Latinos, and white men have also been brutalized, albeit they are more likely to walk away with bruises, remnants of taser effects and handcuff burns where as black men more often leave the scene in a body bag.
The murder of Michael Brown, an unarmed, college bound, clean record (apparently the media found it necessary to try and see if he had "a record") is the 4th murder at the hands of a police officer. There must be justice. Let me be perfectly clear... I cannot and will not condone or cosign the community violence. I believe the riots to be the result of opportunists and not the result of the frustrations experienced by the community as in previous eras.
I am angry.
I am outraged.
I am fearful.
My biggest fear is getting stopped by the police. Where do I place my hands, do I look them in the eye or will that be construed as an act of aggression. Do I remain in my car or do I step out of the car. Am I allowed to ask "Officer why am I being stopped". Apparently placing my hands in the air to show that I am not armed and am not being aggressive can be construed as a threat.
When someone throws you on the ground and yells "stop resisting arrest" as you lay dead still do you hope and pray that someone, anyone is capturing this interaction via video. Do you not protect yourself from the body blows, the kicks, the baton hits, the taser or, do you will yourself to a lifeless state as your survival may clearly depend on it. This is not a dramatization, this is what goes through my head.
I fear for my husband, I fear for my sisters my sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, nieces and nephews and friends. What interaction is appropriate? I can now honestly appreciate the bowed head and shuffle of our southern brothers and sisters from earlier eras but we cannot regress we cannot give into to this lunacy. We cannot allow little people with shiny badges and heavy weapons to take control of our society.
We have to stand straight with chins parallel to the ground. We have to take a stand against this police state. We cannot allow ourselves to be subjugated in these United States where our forefathers and mothers shed their blood so we could have a better life.
It is time for us, the law abiding citizens, to close ranks as a society. Standing shoulder to shoulder we must send the message to out of control police and the administrations that defend them and allow them to murder under the badge that deadly force will not be accepted, it will not be tolerated. We must send the message to elected officials that they must put a stop to this 21st century lynching process.
It is so out of control that it seems surreal. This kill and defend mentality must be shut down. I will not allow my fear to allow this craziness to continue.
Wearing a hoodie - putting your hands in the air ... is not enough.
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