As of today, there have been 532 deaths caused by law enforcement in 2016 so far with a total of 271 of the killed being a minority, and we are only half way through the year. In 2015 there were 990 deaths caused by police in the United States which means by the end of the year we will have surpassed last years death toll caused by our own law enforcement. Even more alarming than the silent massacre occurring by the police is the astonishing amount of officers who are facing absolutely no jail time or repercussion for murdering innocent people.
Alton Sterling was a 37 year old father of five, fatally shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at 12:35 am outside a convenience store. He was armed, but had a license to carry a concealed weapon which he was reaching for the moment he was shot and killed by two officers who had slammed him onto a car hood and the pavement moments before. Sterling does not struggle or fight back during the altercation, nor does he reach for his gun. There was absolutely no justification for the officer to fire his weapon five times with intent to kill instead of injure.
The two officers who killed him, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II are currently on paid administrative leave, still collecting a paycheck while Sterling's family begins planning funeral details. Time and time again we are witnessing this pattern of abuse committed by officers who are then pat on the back to collect a paycheck for their actions. This. Must. Stop. How many times do we allow minorities to be targeted in a deadly manner and let their community fight alone against a system that is literally killing them?
The struggles being faced today are no longer issues impacting all racial communities the same way they are impacting the African American community in America. It is time for the masses to acknowledge the systematic oppression experienced by minorities in this country, and understand that it is no longer an issue of "all lives matter" as all races are not being marginalized or have a history of being marginalized by law enforcement. Many Americans must come to understand that it is an issue of "black lives matter." This is not to say that Hispanic, Asian, or white, etc. lives are less important, it is to say that throughout history other races have not always had the same history with law enforcement, and do not face the continued abuse of power being exhibited by officers.
It is time to act. It is time to stand arm in arm and call into question why these offenders are not facing proper consequences. It's time to question the media on why they will dig up the criminal records of a dead African American man, but the swimming records and Olympic dreams of a white rapist. We must push for equality and help fight for those who are treated unfairly in the hands of the law, as everyone deserves to feel safe in their hometowns, whether it is walking down the sidewalk wearing a hoodie, standing outside a convenience store or being pulled over by an officer.
