So Much More Than #BlackLivesMatter; But This Begins The Conversation...

I recently had a conversation with a friend who was appalled by the fact that each time black America makes an attempt to bring about civil justice, we are often overshadowed by other "causes" that adopt our stance as their own.  This bandwagon mentality seemingly allows others to water down the importance of our initial message, and then, point the finger back at us as if we are being insensitive to their rights.  

A perfect example of this is the #BlackLivesMatter movement that - for a while - held social significance in the minds of America.  Now, there are so many #LivesMatter campaigns out there that the poignant facts of the original campaign have suddenly been singled out as counterproductive and separatist.  Instead of focusing on the disproportionate number of black lives lost to police brutality, we now have to acknowledge that #BrownLivesMater, #BlueLivesMatter, #RedLivesMatter and #YellowLivesMatter as well.  

Actually, #AllLivesMatter.  But, it is necessary at this point in history to focus on the inequalities that plague police - minority relationships while we have national attention. 

No matter which #LivesMatter approach we use to start the conversation, the end results should be the same: 1) Better police - community relationships, 2) End racial / class profiling, and 3) Mandatory external review of all officer involved shootings.  Better governance of police interactions may lead to the necessary changes to the laws that continually allow these injustices to continue.  In short, some laws must be added to the "books" that police the police. 

#BlueLivesMatter: Yes, intensive psychological reviews and treatment of PTSD for our men in blue must be in place as well.  Then, we'll need more community interaction, intervention training, and a serious dialogue between police and the communities hey protect.  We must acknowledge that there is loss on both sides of this situation, but, in order to fix the problem, we, first, have to agree to speak about what brings us to this "table" of communication.



No one is saying that a policeman's life doesn't matter.  The message that is being conveyed is this: For decades, black lives have fallen as prey for an unjust social system.  We are immediately identified as criminals in every situation and reform is necessary.

Whether it comes in the form of better training, mandatory administrative leave after discharging your weapon until a complete review is done, or even mandatory PTO after being involved in a fatal police shooting, something must be done.  

Chavis Carter, 21
Handcuffed and shot in head
while in police car

American history has conveniently forgotten all the injustices that are repeated only against people of color.  When we attempt to correct the behaviors of the masses, we are continually referred to as thugs, militant, and even criminals.  When Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to assemble peacefully and march for justice, he was reminded of all the laws that forbade against doing so.  Although the Ku Klux Klan would echo his attempts and assemble in public, only the black crowds were policed, beaten, imprisoned, or killed.  How many Klan rallies have you ever heard of where dogs and water hoses were used to beat back the militant protesters? What other natural born citizen of this country has had to protest to sit in a restaurant, ride a bus, vote, or be compensated fairly for an honest day's work?  Those who forget their history are forever doomed to repeat it.

Victor White, III, 22
Handcuffed and shot in chest
while in police custody

When the Black Panther Party sought to police their own neighborhoods and exercised their second amendment right of carrying a gun to do so, they were shot down like animals in the same streets that they sought to protect.  Even though they provided food to the homeless, created after-school programs for children, created the WIC program still being used by our government today, and provided living assistance to hundreds in need, American history books have criminalized their efforts.  The FBI slandered many of their names and spread rumors of drug use just to vilify their efforts within the community and, subsequently, justify their own actions against the Party.

Oscar Grant, 22
Handcuffed and shot
in back by transit authority

Marching, boycotts and requests for greater intervention is not new to American history.  America is repeat with these instances as small steps toward equality are taken by the black community.  Rather than simply make the scales of justice impartial and fair for everyone, the American justice system has disproportionately incarcerated African Americans for petty crimes, under-educated minorities on a mass level, and allowed millions more to continue living well below poverty level.  

Kathryn Johnson, 92
Shot repeatedly at home 
in a case of mistaken identity

Some would say this is our own doing; however, they do not realize that America prospers from a systematic racism that intentionally cripples the black race. But, history also gives us examples like Tulsa, OK and Black Wall Street.  These examples show that even what looks like cultural progress can easily be misinterpreted as a threat to the status quo; ending up in mass murders and undocumented brutality. 

A policeman once told me that "even if you follow the most cautious driver for five miles, they will eventually make a mistake".  Keeping this in mind, I responded by saying, "So, you do realize that over-policing the black community has made criminals of many who are innocent?"

The same prison systems that incarcerate millions are actually working camps for slave labor.   

Renisha McBride, 19
Shot in face while asking
for help after accident

Behind prison walls, millions work for pennies a day and minimal scraps of food.  These forgotten souls have done everything from rebuilding the nation's infrastructure to making license plates and bed linen.  Still, they are under-compensated and treated as less than human.  We must admit that mass incarceration is not fair; it's big business.

In the last year, we have watched trials for countless victims end with no convictions.  Policemen and self-appointed neighborhood watchmen have slain black youths with no regard for their lives.   We have watched dozens of black mothers cry out for justice for their slain sons and daughters, yet, nothing has changed.  Many of these riots-turned-massacre have been sparked by social and civil depravity.  To this point, it is no wonder why REAL HISTORY is not taught in school... 

Sadly, the year  will be remembered for a cascade of horrific killings that greatly overshadow the idea of celebrating any cultural advancements made over the last fifty years.  We still find ourselves marching across bridges and offering silent protests while carrying banners with names like Emmit Till, church bombing and shooting victims, and Tamir Rice.


Countless crimes and atrocities have been committed against people of color and the laws that are meant to protect them are the same laws that are used to free their assailants or offer minimal convictions.   Police brutality and "mistaken identities" have lead to the deaths of countless men, women, and children of color and, seemingly, these deaths are forgiven by the laws that protect those who make the laws.


The Trayvon Martin vs George Zimmerman trial brought the controversial "Stand Your Ground" law into the public arena but, in the end,  no changes have emerged.   After the chains of slavery were removed from people of color, they were simply replaced with laws that intentionally undermined the idea of living in a free society with equal rights for all.  No-knock warrants, mandatory curfews, stop and frisk, and stand your ground laws all seem to combine in such a way that only minorities are impacted negatively.  The laws that govern all people are disproportionately used as restraints that mentally suffocate minorities across this country.

Even in extreme cases like that of 92 year old Kathryn Johnson and 19 month old  Baby Bou Bou, police seem to be slow to bring other police officers to justice.  In many inexplicable police shootings, like those of Chavis Carter, Victor White, III and Oscar Grant, the actions of the police are repeatedly justified although innocent lives are lost.

It seems that our only outlet is to march and risk our own lives while trying to bring attention to the madness that we live daily.  How long must we make movies like Selma in order to create dialogue about circumstances that have plagued black America for decades?


Now, America seems outraged by a simple half-time show by Beyonce Knowles.  Although other artists have used this platform as a way of bringing attention to other social causes, Beyonce has been chosen as the "Single Lady" who may cause the "Formation" of a socialist movement.

I watched the halftime show and saw nothing that had not already been plastered on the television screens for the last few years.  But, it was her use of a pubic forum that enraged so many.  Many must have thought, "How dare she air America's dirty laundry in front of the world?"  Personally, I think she chose the perfect platform, the perfect time, and - in this case - the perfect way to bring attention to a conversation that is long overdue... 

Harlem

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

      Does it dry up

      like a raisin in the sun?

      Or fester like a sore—

      And then run?

      Does it stink like rotten meat?

      Or crust and sugar over—

      like a syrupy sweet?

      Maybe it just sags

      like a heavy load.

      Or does it explode?

For decades, America has deliberately avoided the conversation that brings attention to police brutality and social inequality,  The #BlackLivesMatter campaign merely brings the most extreme instances to the forefront.  No other racial demographic has been as disproportionately affected.  Rather than argue about which racial group should introduce this conversation, it still remains as an ongoing issue that must be resolved.

But, then again, this is ONE Man's Opinion... What is yours?