As many of you know or maybe you don’t know, two more African-American men have recently died at the hands of yet again what seems to be a case of police brutality. I have been very conflicted over these past few days so please try to bear with me.
On July 5, 2016 after being restrained with both arms being held down forcibly, officers then proceeded to fire several bullets into #AltonSterling chest. Now although I wasn’t there I have seen the video, and my heart breaks. My heart breaks for Mr. Sterling. My heart breaks for his family that will be left without answers. At the same time, my heart breaks for the police officers who were involved. Even if SOME officers don’t see my life due to the color of my skin worth a dime, I still love them. I’ve always been taught to love others the way I would want to be loved. But I won’t pretend that it doesn’t hurt that there are those who would wish me bodily harm for the sole reason that the color of my skin is black.
As a young African-American male, it’s hard growing up in today’s society especially one where you have to constantly look over your shoulder based solely on the fear that someone may have the idea that you are up to no good. I’ve always prided myself on beating the statistic that a lot of society has held for African-Americans as far as being poverty-stricken, lacks education and has poor manners. From an early age, my parents instilled me in the basic “Yes sir”, “No sir”, “Yes ma’am” “No ma’am” lingo as a given that ALL children should learn no matter your ethnicity.
My education has always been a top priority not just for my parents, but also for my myself. Since kindergarten, I’ve made it my main objective to excel as a top student in all of my classes regardless of the subject and not to sound too boastful. But the truth of the matter is, even though I’ve accomplished a lot and worked hard for my achievements “those people”, the ones who would wish me bodily harm, still see me as just another statistic. They don’t see me being any different from those in which they fear.
“The harsh reality is that my death would just be another number. My face and name would have no meaning to my oppressors or to my killer.”
For an African-American male, it’s impossible to please a crooked cop. They have their own agenda. Granted it’s not all cops that are set to dehumanize and slaughter young and old African-Americans day in and day out, but there are way too many that do. As a people, we have watched countlessly as our brothers and sisters have taken us at the hands of our so-called “protectors”. I shouldn’t have to cringe and feel a sense of fear creep over me every time a cop car passes me.
It just scares me to think that even at my best, I could become just like some of these young men and women. My face could become plastered all throughout the media. And that’s not even the worst part. The harsh reality is that my death would just be another number. My face and name would have no meaning to my oppressors or to my killer. The system as we all know it is corrupt and until we fix this problem injustice will continue to reign supreme.
To my black brothers and sisters, be consciously aware of your surroundings. We must not perpetuate the ideal stereotype they would want us to be, but instead, we must rise above and be the very thing they fear most; an educated POC who knows how to contain their emotions. We can do more good peacefully than we ever could as an angry mob. Let’s use our voices to be heard for positivity and be a voice of change. But finally, and most importantly I just want each and every one of you to know that you are loved. I know this world won’t always commend you and remind you how important you are, and if you don’t hear it from anyone else then you’ll hear it from me.
Stay safe. And remember what “Pastor” Jesse Williams said,
