Blue Lives Over Black Ones? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Blue Lives Over Black Ones?

Louisiana has enacted a Blue Lives Matter bill, making resisting arrest a hate crime. But what does that mean exactly?

15
Blue Lives Over Black Ones?
Huffington Post

Today, I saw something on Facebook that made me cry. I will now proceed to try to write about it without being over-emotional, yet still speaking from my heart, which is bleeding profusely.

As much as I would love for this article to be about the little girl I saw reciting, “Hey Black Child” or something that made me cry laughing like the “Cash Me Ousside” video. I hate to report that I saw something that disgusted me and made me fear two words: “Stop Resisting.” Those words might not be scary to you, but as a black woman in Southwest Louisiana where the “Blue Lives Matter” Law just passed, I realized that those two words can end my life, now in more ways than one.

This law is designed to do just what the title says: protect blue, or police, lives. I have no problem with that at all. In fact, I believe a law like this should be put in place considering the state of police relations in our society. What I have a problem with is how this law attempts to “protect” blue lives: by persecuting citizen’s (read: black) lives.

This law has upgraded resisting arrest from a misdemeanor to a felony and a hate crime which carries the sentence of life. This wouldn’t be so scary if the two words “Stop Resisting” weren’t heard on every dash cam video featuring police brutality, as police officers can be seen abusing the phrase. Now, I am in no way saying that there aren’t people who truly resist arrest. However, I have observed that police officers will fail to tell a citizen what they have done wrong and the more said citizen asks, the more police in these situations get irate. As soon as said police officer gets irate, those two words: “Stop resisting”, can be heard repeatedly, as the citizen is often shoved to the ground and treated more like an animal than someone these police officers are said to be “protecting”. Police will now feel even more justified in brutally handing citizens when arresting because of this law. If someone is found guilty of “resisting arrest”, they can be sentenced up to 10 years in prison. Police officers no longer have to take our lives physically. This allows them to take our lives mentally and emotionally by making us slaves to the government through the prison system and taking away our right to life as if we haven’t endured enough.

Another reason this law seems so outrageous is because it has been enacted by the state of Louisiana, where Alton Sterling was shot by police. No legislation protecting citizens from police has been passed in the wake of this brutal shooting, yet police lives need more “protection”. I simply cannot agree or sit back and allow this to fly under the radar, especially when this law has been enacted in my home state with police officers in my community saying they have already started charging people with resisting arrest as a hate crime.

This article is not meant to scare anyone. This article is simply to make people aware of what I am sure they have no idea is going on. With all the injustice in the world right now, it deeply troubled me to know that this was going on in my home state. Vigilance is a key part of survival and knowing that laws like this are in place will help me to better prepare for the prejudice and hate I know I will face in my own life. I hope I can do the same for you as well.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

The Unwritten Rules Of "Talking"

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

5765
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774860
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

1704
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments