Dear Black people, stay woke; be aware of whats going on in the world no matter how gruesome or heartbreaking. The Black Lives Matter movement has been busy this past week.
Young black men are more likely to be shot and killed by the police. Recent studies show police killed at least 136 black people in 2016, according to a project by the Guardian that tracks police killings in America. Add two black men by the name of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, who were killed by law enforcement. Both of the men were armed, but of no harm to the police officers.
Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old African-American man outside of a local corner store in Baton Rouge was selling CDs outside of Triple S Food Mart early Tuesday morning, until police received a call stating Sterling was outside with a gun. The officers arrived to the scene and tackled Sterling. They were on top of Sterling before the shooting and held him down to the ground- they did not use tasers to restrain him nor handcuffs. After he was pinned down, the officers went straight for their guns the second they got the chance. Sterling was shot five times in the chest, and back. The 38-second gruesome video of his murder shook the world, caught on tape with a close view, yet from afar. The video spread throughout the media and enraged protesters, activists and members of the community. Adding another hashtag to the list of our black men, Sterling's family suffered watching their loved one pass away on camera for the world to see while Sterling's killers were put on administrative leave. Repulsive, isn't it? Well, no less than 48 hours later, another black man was shot and killed.
No less than 48 hours after Alton Sterling, another black man was found dead. Philando Castile, a 32 year-old Black man was pulled over by a police officer while he was in the car with his girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter. Castile's girlfriend, Lavish Reynolds, recorded the aftermath of the murder live via Facebook. She stated they were pulled over for a busted tail light in the back. According to Reynolds, Castile informed the officer he was licensed to carry and that his ID and his drivers license were in his wallet located in his back pocket. As he went to reach the officer shot him five times in the arm. Reynold's tried to calm down the police officer by assuring him she wouldn't move her hands as she sat next to her bloody boyfriend. Reynolds was detained later when backup police officers arrived, and she was in the back of the police car in distress with the comfort of her 4-year-old daughter saying, "It's OK, I'm right here with you."
Breathtaking indeed, almost enraging with fear and anger. It's almost too easy for Law enforcement to get away with the murder of so many black Lives. Clearly under trained, and afraid of a man because of the color of his skin, they begin to shoot. It is heartbreaking to see so many hashtags and no convictions. We must save our black men, be aware of what to do when you are stopped by the police.
1. Keep your handles visible at all times
2. Comply with all of the officer's demands.
3. Respect the officer.
As soon as you are pulled over, start recording abide by all of the demands of the officer as well. Stay woke black people. Protesters and activists are speaking up while celebrities are trying to make a difference as well. Speaking on different topics to make children and people around the world aware. You should be scared, but you must also be knowledgeable. Educate your young black children on how to survive in this cold world and work hard to make a difference.
With the knowledge of the death of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, many supporters and leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement have arranged protests. Recently in Dallas, five police officers were killed and seven were wounded. Former corporal Xavier Micah Johnson has been named the gunman according to police. Now, don't get me wrong, be mad, get upset and try to make a difference, don't start a war. It's almost like when your mom says, "Just because all of those other kids are getting in trouble, doesn't mean you need to." Black people, stay woke! Don't result in that same violence that started the protest in the first place. Let's make real change for our future, get jobs in law enforcement limit the ratio of white cops. Send our African-American children to school so they can be aware of the havoc that has erupted our nation. Let's make a difference, community by community.
