There is no doubt that what has been going on to Black people in America since the days of slavery is not only at times horrific and saddening but downright frustrating and unnecessary. In the last few years there has been an increase in the killing of black individuals particularly black men by white police officers. While in some cases people may say well he or she had a weapon. However, what is so shocking is that in the majority of these recent cases these black Americans were unarmed and were of no real threat to the safety of police officers.
What some of my Caucasian brethren may not understand is that for us black people this is more than just a few sad endings to police run ins. For us this is a legitimate attack on our race.
Look at a case like Eric Garner’s. Garner who was unarmed and tackled to the ground and put in a headlock repeatedly told the officer he could not breathe and yet the officer refused to release his hold on Garner. As a result Garner died.
One horrific murder in particular that still haunts me is the murder of Walter Scott. Scott was stopped by a police officer and ran from his car. Initially the officer pursues him but after a short while he shoots Scott in the back. In his police report the officer states that Scott had tried to take his taser during an altercation but an eyewitness video proved that no such thing happened. The video showed Scott running then the officer shooting him. Once Scott was down we can see the officer handcuffing him instead of calling for an ambulance. Even more shocking we see the officer plant the taser next to Scott’s body once he realizes Scott is dead. Again, he doesn’t call for an ambulance. The officer’s police report was full of lies and if it hadn’t been for an eyewitness video he could have possibly gotten away with murder.
The recent death of Alton Sterling is horrifying as well. In the eyewitness video Alton is already subdued when he is shot in the chest multiple times.
What my Caucasian people need to understand is that the senseless deaths of these black Americans are based on unrealistic fear of the black race that extends as far back as slavery. It is based on the ignorant idea of savage and civilized that has never truly been done away with. Negative stereotypes of black people have been so ingrained in the minds of whites that the sheer existence of the black body makes some white people feel threatened.
For centuries Blacks have been demonized and criminalized by the society and the media; both perpetuating stereotypes that are too often based on fear not fact. We have grown tired of being judged, hated, criminalized, demonized, ignored, neglected, rejected and stereotyped simply for being black. These senseless murders of black people are creating divides. Black people have no faith in the justice system and are losing faith in our Caucasian brethren.
The Black movement is not about demonizing white people. It is not about hating white people or accusing all white people of racism. It is about saying that it is not a crime to be Black and just because we are Black does not mean we intend to hurt you. What black people want is justice for these crimes because that is what they are. We want to know that if someone kills our father, our husbands, sons or brothers that they will be arrested, tried and convicted just as they would for a white person. It is important for white people to be involved in the Black movement because it would help to solidify and unify our country. It was also help to desensitize and reject the ignorant and unnecessary fear of the black body.
For those of you who are focused on the all lives matter you must understand that you are missing the point. Saying Black lives matter in no way says that white lives, Latino, Asian or any other lives do not. It simply says that our lives are just as important as yours and killing our people simply because of the color of their skin is wrong just like it would be if there were unarmed white men being gunned simply because police fear their skin color. This is not just a Black issue but an American issue. We need all Americans to put a stop to this. Again I say to you that being pro-black is not anti-white or anti-police. In fact it would help if police officers spoke out against those who use the power of their badge brutally and excessively.
We need all Americans to say that this is wrong, this is criminal and this country should be better than that. We know that your lives matter for centuries it has been embedded in American society. It’s time that we acknowledge that black lives matter and do something to prove it. Once that happens we can come together and ignite change. Only then can we truly say that all lives matter.
