In the last week, there have been two more black men who have been murdered by police. I know these are probably not the only cases this week, but these are the cases that have garnered the most media attention. First, Alton Sterling and then Philando Castille. When I first heard about these two men, I was heartbroken and I made up my mind to avoid the videos at all cost, and then they came on the news. I first saw these videos and I was on the verge of tears at work. No matter where you stand on the issue of systematic racism in America, the videos of these two men dying should disturb you. I have been disturbed to the point where my silence on the issue is no longer acceptable.
Some of my friends do not share my views on this issue, and that is your choice. But just know that while you are friends with me, you will be seeing #BlackLivesMatter, #ICantBreathe, #HandsUpDontShoot, and any other hashtag that comes about with the senseless murdering of black men and women due to systematic racism. And I will say their names. Eric Garner. Trayvon Martin. Sandra Bland. Michael Brown. Dontre Hamilton. Tanisha Anderson. Tamir Rice. Freddie Gray. Philando Castille. Alton Sterling. These are not the only cases, but they are the ones that have drawn the attention of the media.
I cannot be silent when I have friends who are scared that they might get pulled over by the wrong cop and lose their lives. This is not to say that all cops are bad, I know people who are amazing cops and are outraged by the bad ones who are tainting the blue uniform. But these killings are happening too often and with no consequences. Cops are getting paid administrative leave while they are under investigation for killing someone. Paid administrative leave. Killing someone. Better yet, killing someone on video.
I am outraged and I am scared that one day one of my black friends is going to run up on a cop with a gun and a god complex. There needs to be a change.
Also, if someone saying #BlackLivesMatter offends you, then you need to reevaluate. The Black Lives Matter movement is not saying that only black lives matter, but right now some people are forgetting that black lives do in fact matter, so we need to raise a little bit of awareness just to remind those who have forgotten.
I know some people won't be happy reading this, and that's OK. I may lose some Facebook friends over this, and that's OK. But I have a platform, and to not use it to bring awareness to a situation that has left so many people hurt, heartbroken, and scared would be a disgrace. The families of Philando Castille and Alton Sterling and the countless other black men and women who have been killed by police will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as well as the families of the members of the Dallas Police Department who were killed in the aftermath.
