Tuesday, December 9, 2014
As I digress...from MIKE BROWN to ERIC GARNER
At a moment when millions and millions of people in this country—and around the world—are confronting fundamental questions of what's wrong with this system that over and over and over again murders Black men and lets the police go free, many wonder if all this can be fundamentally changed, and if so, how...
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In all honesty WE ARE LIVING IN MODERN DAY SLAVERY, where African Americans are paying the price for insensitive and racisms cops. Being a minority America is so hard especially for young African Americans males. Black male is automatically a suspect in the eyes of the police, there isn't any privacy, caring, or respect. Let's address Eric Gardener situation, this is so sad because a family is living without a love one for the “DUMBASS” police force snap decision. Why is it that in this society when an African American male is being questioned by police it has to lead to violence? When they suspected that Mr. Gardener was selling illegal cigarette and he pled that he was not even when they search him they did not find anything, still they harassed him and the next alterative was to put him in a head lock. While in a head lock he is screaming I cannot breathe and they still would not release him until he fainted and was on the floor left for dead. Now you tell if this is right, if somebody is telling you they cannot breathe you must release them but no American system are so backward. Not only that his family have to live with this but now the jury decision also which I believe was so RACISTS and UNFAIR. With this decision it was no surprise because we live in a society where African Americans are the minority and the whites are the majority, so you expect nothing but heartless people. Now that people want to protest their rights and the one-sided equality that are being showed they want to put them in jail and threaten them. Nevertheless he is not the only one who has endured police brutality.
ReplyDeleteWith this case I really was hurt with the jury decision. Mike Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, 28, a white Ferguson police officer. Well nobody knows what really happened because one part is decease and everybody is going by what the police officer is saying. This caused an up role in Ferguson because the officer clams it was self-defense, but we all know that when a young African American male is shot they would do anything to cover their behind. He said his hands up and unarm and for the jury to say he is not guilty is beyond madness, do not give me wrong him being in jail would not bring him back but the respect and feeling that the person who shot your innocent love one is paying for it. This case also ties into the Trayvon Martin case too because George Zimmerman claim that reacted in self-defense and killed Trayvon. This was crazy a black African American male cannot go to the corner store in peace without you being questioned. Zimmerman was found not guilty. These three cases just conform that we are still living in slavery times and African Americans are still not treated as human being. I just feel that this is completely racists. I believe that the police just see African American males and just see a target; they become trigger happy shooting innocent people. We still live in a world where the justice and equality is prejudiced. The police believe because they have a gun and know the law you have to obey everything they say and do. I do not believe there is a solution to this situation or any other thing to come because whites still look down on African American as NOTHING and think that they are superior to minority. Although there is no solution to the judicial system, for me the pledge said “Liberty and Justice for all” they have not lived up to these words because if you do the crime you should do the time. These cops are just getting a pat on the back and living freely while love ones are living in sorrow.
The question you share in your understanding of the injustice in these cases cause me to think critically on many of the past issues black have faced. It seems that it true what you point out, everytime a police officer questions an African American it often leads to violence. Is as if these white police officers find ways to torture our people. They continually say our people are acting out of resentment and there plan is to bring white people down by any means necessary. They fail to realize that Blacks are struggling to live day to day and are just searching for freedom and a way to get by. This people, the white people like to see the negative in everything Blacks do . There stereotypical mindset makes it hard for Blacks to integrate into society. Instead they attempt to assimilate and become something they are not. White people ridicule Blacks for this. They do not care about anybody else but themselves. This is unfair and its cruelty to our people. They need to pay for this and like I said before this has to stop.
DeleteYou bring a great point about the judicial system because they are suppose to bring justice but, clearly they did not. They are being unfair to the victims who have died for what reason. It is like the white people have basically gotten away with their actions. There was no justice because the victims cannot speak, they are dead. I believe it is racist because if the situation, everyone would have said the black man was guilty. Have we not learned anything from the past? There is no superior race, we are equal. We do not need to live up to other expectations and become someone they are not. That is not what we are for. What have our black figures fought for then? This has to be put to an end.
DeleteI like when you said,"Well nobody knows what really happened because one part is decease and everybody is going by what the police officer is saying." This is the real messed up part of this whole thing, the victim does not get to speak because they are dead, so the perpetrator gets to say whatever they want. They can even paint the victim in such a bad light, that the themselves could be seen as a hero. I believe this is what happened in the Trayvon Martin case specifically. The police officer was huge, and he had an arsenal of weapons at his fingertips, yet he was so scared of a young teenager. Mr.Martin must have had some sort of superhuman strength for him to be bringing down such a large man, he must have played football. Speaking of strong black men, I remember seeing the video of Mr.Gardner being tackled by multiple police men. As I watched I wondered why after he was put on the ground, did that one police officer not give Mr Gardener to acquiesce to their wishes for him to lay down. He was already on the floor, with five other men on him, the entire thing as a whole was very unnecessary and stupid. All of these cases scream Emmett Till, injustice, racism. Again, how different everything would be if the victims of police violence were not silenced by death.
DeleteI solely believe that Slavery still lingers in today's society. African American males are predominantly affected by authorities because of their race and gender. It is unfair that because of your skin color and gender one can be tortured or even worse murdered. It is un-explainable why black makes are always targeted when they are simply just walking down the block or going in their pockets for something un-harmful. Often times black males prove that they should be questioned but it is unfair because innocent people are losing their lives for others mistake. It is unfair that young black males are unable to live out their life's to its fullest. It is mind bothering that your color and gender determines the opportunities presented int your life. Many people take this for granted but it can be one's little brother of friend. This should be taken into serious consideration because it affects all of us one way or another. Or community is decreasing, our males are disappearing with out an excuse. Due to the foundation set from our ancestors it is more likely for males to do something negative than positive. People are losing their brothers, fathers and uncles for reason. What strikes me the most is that cops kill innocent males because of an suspicious movement or just cause, and are let go free for taking someones life. It is unfair that cops can kill innocent people and are let go free with little to no explanation because they are authorities. However, authorities can be wrong as well. Why is this fair? Is this because of skin color? Are we still paying for our ancestors past? Is it OK to kill and be set free because your white and a cop? NO, the answer is no. Trayvon Martin was murdered because he was walking in his community with his hoodie on coming from the store he looked suspicious, he then went into his pocket and was shot because it was understood by Zimmerman his shooter that he was going for a gun to shoot him. This is out of control and unfair that a young male was stripped of his life at a young age because of a thought, because someone thought he was taking out a gun. It is extremely heart breaking that males have to watch their backs 24/7 because of images that was made for them. Males should be able to walk down the black peacefully with out being questioned or hurt or even murdered. It has got to STOP!
ReplyDeleteYou are making valid points hence the reason why I agree 100% with what you are saying. It is disheartening and unfair for blacks to be targeted because the color of their skin defines them as suspicious people aiming to kill all whites. In today's society, many blacks still protest and act on social sites out of resentment for what the whites have done and continue to do. They constantly get away with things that if blacks were to do they will be arrested or killed immediately. This implies that we are still living in modern day slavery. These people with authority have the task and duty to protect and serve our people but instead they kill and insult them. They should stop viewing minorities as the soles of their shoes because we are something greater and we deserve the same rights as any other race.
DeleteI agree with both Lisa and Jada. It is unfair that as people we are judge based on the color of our skin, not based on the milestones we have completed as a person.As a young black man I am truly scared to have an encounter with the police department. Jada is right when she said "it is unfair that blacks have to watch their backs 24/7" I found this funny because the people that are suppose to watch our backs are the ones who kill us.
DeleteIn today's society, we are confronted as minorities with many scenarios similar to that of slavery.Due to this, many might say we are living in Modern day slavery. People who are suppose to protect and serve our people go around killing young black men stating it was self defense. They react quickly to assumptions and take innocent lives away. Not only is it bad that they have taken these innocent lives away but they also walk free without being charged of their crime.There are many scenarios that greatly impact our minority group. In particular, the death of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown have cause Blacks to go to the streets and protest for the injustice. Eric Garner was in a chokehold for being said you be selling cigarettes illegally. Although, he said multiple times he couldn't breathe, the cop still didn't stop till he was unresponsive. Mike Brown was shot by a police officer because he was walking in the streets and the police thought he was going to hurt him. Trayvon Martin was shot by Zimmerman because he was walking around with a hoodie and he looked suspicious. All these people with authority were all white.
ReplyDeleteAlthough many might say blacks kill blacks and its not a big deal. As we discussed in class, blacks are driven by whites ideal to create these crimes towards their own people. It's disheartening to see one die from the hands of a white man. We are told to believe that we are free in America but how can we be free if we are still belittled, prejudice, killed by those who were considered and still to this day are superior. It causes us minorities to act out in anger. This system is not giving any justice to black people. I propose that we start holding each other to a higher standard instead of acting out in violence we do positive things to stop the injustice. Our color shouldn't define us as bad suspicious people. It shouldn't seem like we are still paying for our ancestors past. Just like white people we have the right to be free in America because we contributed to this country as much as any other race. This has to STOP!!! It's unfair for blacks to be labeled and killed by white people especially those of authority. Police officers are to use their power for good and not for evil.
The proposed idea of body cameras is good but their are videos that prove the killers of Mike Brown and Eric Garner to be guilty- and they still got were free with no indictment. The system is corrupted and it should be fixed. We have to be safe with the help of police officer not scared of police officers. We may never know who will be next it can be one's uncle, cousin, father, brother and son. Why is it so hard to live free in unity without the tragic and unfair lost of a brother?
Lisa i totally agree with what you are saying here. I believe that the death or these American Amercan menaffects us all in may ways and we do not know it. I say this because as you said above it could be our uncle, brother, cousin, father, or even one of the boys in our class tomorrow is not promised to anyone. But we all sit here and talk all of this but what will we do to make a change about this? You adsked why is it so hard to live free in a unity without the tragic and unfair lost of a brother? I belive that they see Black males killing each other with no problem so why can't they do it with no problem? Is it right? of course not, but that's what happens.
DeleteI have said this before and will continue to say it, the media is to blame. We are in a situation where the people in power, the white man, has us by the neck. They are looking at us and seeing what we do so they can base their interactions with us in accordance. What do they see? Every mainstream hip-hop and rap song involves some sort of gun violence in it. It may not be right to say that every song has it, but the overwhelming amount do. This translates into our culture, and people adopt this sort of violent life-style. Also, it is just not a small minority of African Americans who adopt it, it well into the majority. When cops, usually white men who have little to no contact with black people, see this on their tv screen, and see it on the internet, the become afraid. Yes, they are scared of the black man, because they think that we all are gun-toting hooligans ready to pull the trigger at the slightest suggestion of intimidation. I am not validating their behavior, but if as a civil human being I have no contact with a certain race, I am going to graft my opinion from the media to be prepared in case I do meet that certain race. I sense we tend to ignore how the "opposing side" may feel out of blind subjective hatred. The solution to this is to change what is being put on air, to stop pressuring young black females and males to conform to a specific life-style, and to stop other races from getting the wrong idea.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you Dale that the violence does attract attention, mainly to our race. However, what causes us to act the way we do? We do not automatically think of violence first. It is society because it is downgrading the black people into thinking how they want them to think. People are being persuaded by what they think we are doing from what we are actually doing.
DeleteI agree with you Dale, however the media cannot be fully to blame for police brutality that has been going on forever. The media has not been portraying violence all these years that police violence has been occurring. But, you are right, the media plays a role as to why it continues today because they think our race is fulled with men like that and assume to take action.
DeleteI agree with Dale a 100%, because in today society blacks portray themselves in the wrong way. Majority of the music the youths of this generation listen to do not uplift. The songs of today mostly talks about drugs, money, guns and women. I agree with Dale when he said the media makes us adapt a violence lifestyle. When it comes to certain situations police believe we are going to act hostile, or reach for a weapon due to that fact that this is what we associate with our culture(violence)
DeleteWell Shenika, to answer your question, if you look into the history of rap music you can see that it originates in the slums. Rap was a receptacle by which young people who were angry about the white man's oppression dump their troubles and vent. This is why the music is so angry and violent. Considering Chanel's comment I do think I have to reconsider that and agree that it is not fully the media's fault. This brutality has been going on long since rap music and the black portrayal in the media, what I guess I am tying to say is that they use it as an excuse to be weary of blacks.
DeleteI do agree with Dale, because he has a valid point that the media do take part in this part in this problem. As a white person, I would be very afraid of a black person because they are filled with hatred from their past. We tend to listen to these "trap music" with influence the young black teenagers to do stupid thing because they are being education by the wrong things. In society today, media can be a positive and negative thing. When listening to music that involves drugs and violence, I believe the cops do get scared of the black people; but that doesn't mean every teenager you see on the streets you should attack them. Some of us are innocent and we shouldn't be pressed down every time we make a move. Media is can be a positive thing because we are able to protest about the crime; but what can be confusing to me is even if we have protest and support why haven't anything change in the society we live in today? We still struggle to have justice and freedom. i believe if we stop listening to this "trap music" we can change. If we just take a step back from all the hatred, we could change. We need to show the white race that we are powerful, educated and we have the same opportunities as them. We cannot sit back, but stop the violence and black on black crimes. We need to take a stand and show them that as a black person we can be successful as well. As a black teenage girl, I want to prove to the white race that I can have the same benefits and success as you, I just have to put my mind to it and accomplish my goals. Anything is possible, and you can show them that we are strong and can hold our heads up high.
DeleteWhy are African American men being targeted in our society? Are we still living through a time of segregation? The Eric Garner case was very distraught because both the situation and outcome were not incapable of any “justice”. Eric Garner was being arrested for having an illegal substance on the street and the policemen had to restrain him which led to one of the cops putting him in a choke-hold,causing Garner to say repeatedly “I CAN’T BREATHE”. Eric Garner was then pronounced dead. This was devastating all across the nation because the police officer, who was white, who had Garner in a choke-hold, after all the protest, the grand jury decided that the officer was not guilty. A similar case was also presented with eighteen year old, Mike Brown, who was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. This case has also greatly affected the nation because Mike Brown had put up his hands in surrender but, he was still shot by the officer. This cause the protesting to become rowdy and started to take affect not only in Ferguson and New York City but, across the nation. I believe the outcome to these situations was simply UNFAIR. The judicial system is suppose to HELP TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE but, like many people, I saw NO JUSTICE have been made.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the people had a right to protest to express the livid feeling they had about the decision being made for both cases. There are have been similar situations that have happened throughout history with a black male who was either shot, stabbed, murdered, etc. by a white male. Another case similar to these two cases was the case of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman. Trayvon Martin was a young seventeen year black male who was shot by a white man, George Zimmerman because he was suspicious of Trayvon who was walking home from the store with his hoodie on, simply minding his own business. The decision, the Grand Jury made had left many people unsatisfied. If it was a white boy, would Zimmerman had shot him ? I was shocked by this decision that was made because of a law.It was due to this Florida State Ground Law that made Zimmerman not guilty. If the scenario was switched, people would have went non-stop until the black man was faced with charges and went to prison. I thought that we were beyond this whole racism and and segregation process.What would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or any other black figure who fought for us say now?Are we still living in the past? There was no justice represented because all of the victims are dead and their story was untold. This has got to stop.
How would someone feel if it was their son, father, brother, uncle, friend or classmate who stabbed, shot or murdered and the person who was behind was not behind bars? What does society have against African American males and their race? Is it because the way we look, the color of our skins? Were we not all created equal and have some freedom? We are not “free”. We are still trapped by the ways of society and are becoming easily influenced. There is no race that is superior than the other. JUSTICE NEEDS TO BE PREVAILED or else people will not stop fighting! As a young black minority, seeing all these cases with black men makes me think that we have to be more cautious in our society because people are targeting us, mostly the males, so we have to watch our back. I feel as though HISTORY IS BEING REPEATED.
If we raise a revolution then this can be stopped. I agree, history is winding backwards. But if we don't push the wheel forward, then how do we expect it to move? Some may think protesting is a bit pointless because the change is not immediate. Needless to say, nothing good comes easy.
DeleteI agree with you Neka, as you use several examples of recent racist scenes throughout the country. African Americans have been neglected and the idea still ponders on how can we obtain equality? I believe protesting will partially solve this situation. You stated” I thought that we were beyond this whole racism and segregation process. What would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or any other black figure who fought for us say now?” I believe that even though Dr. King Jr. fought for us we are reliving the past history. History is retaking its course as blacks mean absolutely nothing is this country.
DeleteExactly Sharye much is said but nothing is being done. We have to take charge. We have the energy and spirit it's only right we enforce this because if we don't 20 years from now our own children's lives will be in jeopardy.
DeleteSlavery is the main issue why black people don’t have the same amount of rights as a white person. We seem to bring each other down in this world, instead of uplifting each other for success. Many young teenage girls are pregnant, and many young teenage boys are usually murdered due to gang violence. Today, many teenagers don’t have a father figure in their life to guide them through school so they drop out easily and are on the streets struggling to live. They provide solely on their friends, because there is no family to help them/give up. We tend to lose all hope, and passion to strive. Some civil right leaders such as, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks may have contributed to the black people around the world, but today we are still fighting. Why so?
ReplyDeleteWe are supposed to have a democratic system of government but in today’s society we still live with hatred. In today’s society as a black person many would judge and say we are not fit to have an education, or even become successful in the future. We have to fight for everything we put our minds, which can become a struggle, because most of the time as a child we don’t have the support. We are repeating history for example, Eric Garner and Travon Martin. Travon was a teenager, and his life was cut short, the end result was his shooter got away. They blamed Eric Garner for being too fat, which I believe is outrageous. I am not happy for what cops are doing such as getting away with murder without any punishment. Something needs to change because now it’s getting extreme. I believe these cops are not helping situations, but making it worse for everybody, because Eric Garner had a life with a family and his life was simply taken away. According to the video the cop should have never put him in a chokehold, it was not necessary; and they wonder why we are so violent? I believe as an African American I become so angry at these stories because they always believe they are better than us. Life is precious and we are all equal. We don’t deserve to suffer in anyway, because as a black person we have the same knowledge as any white person walking around in this society. At this day and age, we cannot change this cycle. How could we change, if we already tried?
I think with your last question there, you underestimate the power of time. I agree that the prospect might seem bleak; society is saturated with such hate and confusion, but I feel that we don't have a powerful leader like MLK or Malcolm X to help guide us as a collective. Black people need a strong black leader to tell them what is wrong with our state so we can rise out of the depths we are in. If we get enough influence and enough willpower, we won't have to worry about the white man because we will have people in position of power, and the white man will not be able to stop us, they can't shoot all of us without revealing their true malicious and barbaric nature. You also have to remember, the African race is relatively new to America. I don't quite understand why we can't change, and at what point did anybody stop trying for you to be putting "tried" in the past tense? There are still black rallies going on in America, but none of theme have nearly the power that MLK or Malcolm X had.
DeleteExactly, Dale. This is a never ending fight that cannot just be sweeper under the rug after too many failed attempts. Justice can be served, we just have to put actions to our words of faith. Our ancestors have fought and rebelled against slavery for literally hundreds of years and look where we are now. Everything is not perfect, but we've gotten somewhere.
DeleteI agree with you Dale and Sarye, but in today's society why hasn't anybody make changes, such as giving us the justice we deserve. Im truly tired of the declining of population with the black people because many are being murdered. I don't believe change could occur, because we are still living with hatred instead of loving each other, we seem to bring each other down in this society. Many students and no interested in school, and expectation to fail.Many teenagers do not have both of their parents to guide them along the way. In modern day, I believe we still live in slavery because we seem to down grade ourselves and allow the the white race to become superior to the black people. We don't have the same expectations to pass beyond high school, or even have a successful job as the white population. We don't have the passion to fight for what is right, but lets things go. We don't push ourselves but become lazy. Black people have issues being successful.
DeleteIts just the repeat of history. I understand we have democracy for the people; but we need to fight more in order to be happy.
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ReplyDeleteIt saddens me to think about all the horrible things we as African-Americans have experienced from slavery until present-day times. Racism and slave mentalities are prevalent issues in our society and they do not seem like they are going to diminish anytime soon. It is one thing for us to be oppressed by others, but it's worse when we oppress ourselves. In relations to Mike Brown and Eric Garner, I was not surprised by the verdicts of each case. The judicial system was never designed to protect us. This is the SAME system that believed African-Americans were only three-fifths of a person. The SAME system that turned their backs on the countless murders and lynching of our people. The SAME system that allowed Jim Crow laws to have us caged in and subjected to certain areas and prevented us from reaching our full potential. Indeed, today is a new day band opportunities constantly present themselves to is but we're too busy fighting and killing each other because someone made us mad or hurt or feelings. Unity and strength are the keys to deliverance. The government has scared us by murdering our great leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X , and Medgar Evers. It is a scary thought to think of being hurt or killed for fighting for your beliefs. But, if we don't show anyone we're serious then how can we receive any kind of justice?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have stated Sarye. What us African Americans continue to experience today is the same things we have experienced in history. It seems that the actions taken by our leaders didn't make a difference in the judicial system due to the racial actions by the police and the decisions of the courts.
DeleteI agree with you Sarye, but it still bothers me that every time we try to take anything serious, history repeats its self. Why does a majority of black people live in the project, homeless shelter, etc.,while a majority of white white people can live in a big house, have a good paying job, have a happy marriage, and a majority of white students can attend any top colleges. Some things has to change, because it is not fair for us to live in pain. I understand that we should take a stand, but really where have that got us? Many white people maintain power over black people because their was no reason to kill our civil right leaders. In life, as a black individual, you was brought into this world to fight. I believe we don't get respected. I believe if we show white people that we can outshine them; most likely we can shut them up. We just need to keep on fight and be more educated.
DeleteSarye I agree with you 100%. The system is very unfair and they do not care at all about protected us. They did indeed kill our great leaders all out of fear! The question that you stated at the end about if e do not show anyone we are serioud how can we receive any kind of justice? That i a wonderful question. I wouls love to know. I think everyone wants fair and equal justice but no one is showing or putting the effort to show that just like them we are humans and we have feelings too. They say you get with you give. If there is no effort being giving to show that a stop needs to be put to this we will never receive that STOP.
DeleteI strongly believe that the issue of police brutality and racism is the most significant reasoning behind societies issues today. In relation to the Eric Garner and Mike Brown case, police of white color brutally assault to black males. This has to stop as of today. Reading Eric Garner's case, the actions of the officer Pantaleo that resulted in Garner's case was way out of hand. And Mike Brown's case as well, the police's decision to take action and shoot was beyond the situation. The judicial system continuously fails to give equal justice to African Americans from the past to present. The fact that these officers faced no charges for the death of these two African American males proves that the judicial system has no equality set in place. It is troubling that after all our African American leaders such as MLK Jr., Malcolm X, and etc, went through to bring equality between races that racism is still presented today. The fact that the judicial system is the biggest part of the racism is makes the issue way more troubling. To add on, police brutality is common but to result in death is extreme. Police brutality should not ever occur if their job is to protect, not attack the people. African Americans right to justice and equality is not yet to be found. If police choose to overrule their power, that power shall be taken. Police brutality seem have to been going on forever and people should be tired of it. Police violence is very severe and highly common. However, this should be put to a stop. The police are and have been corrupting our society instead of protecting the people of our society; and the Mike Brown and Eric Garner cases just made it clear of the racism and police brutality occurring.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your opinion Chanel. I support it because of your statement about the police. These police believe that since they have a badge it gives them the privilege of taking an innocent African American life? How many lives are the police going to take before they are charged for their actions? This is why the government is corrupt because the people who we should trust to protect us are the ones killing us and getting away with murder.
DeleteWhen our founding founders wrote in the Declaration of Independence that "All men are created equal"they did not intended to protect the rights of African Americans men. They did not meant to secure the privilege of us as black male. Countlessly throughout history this point is being proven. Though most of us is not educated enough to truly understand the unfair justice that have been evaluated in the last few political court cases I am very cautious and frustrated. Mike Brown, "Hands up, don't shoot" did not have a weapon , he did not reach for one either. So why is it that he is dead and a white cop got away with murder? Eric Garner a 400 pounds men was only trying to solve a problem wrong within society. He was trying to break up a fight, but with the sudden harassment from a police officer , he was forcedly searched. When he tried to defend himself with words, a police officer continued to choke him even after he was down. He too was murdered, while the police officer waved at the camera. That's absolutely unjustice. The Police departments around the world are really not our friends anymore. When I'm walking home I am nervous and scared for my life when I see police officers. It was once a time when I felt comfortable having these officers in my neighborhood. We has African American have to get smarter, we are treated like we are not humans and it's not fair. A men of any color should be able to live life with freedom without being executed for the color of his skin. NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE ! I refuse to respect anybody who doesn't respect my people. Though we are not all family, we are the same color and we are targets in this world. The government is not here to protect us their here to Kill Us and we must stand up as one. Tiding back to slavery we are stilled chain up ! ALL WE WANT TO DO IS Break THE CHAINS OFF, ALL WE WANT TO DO IS BE IS FREE. Can you tell me why every time I step outside I see one of my brothers die! WELL THERES NO GUN THEY COULD MAKE TO KILL MY SOUL.
ReplyDeleteI understand your view point but I always believe our people aren't realizing other issues that are going on. We as African Americans should unite with one another, but we also kill each other.I don't see Al Sharpen on television making a big deal out of black on black crime. Because this Caucasian male killed an African American we are suppose to throw a big tantrum. Based on my opinion I believe that if we have this negative outlook upon these two situations it should be the same way when African Americans are killing each other.
DeleteAs, a young African American male its scary living in America today. I faced the reality that maybe my first encounter with a cop maybe be my last. I believed that we are living in the Jim Crow era again. It's like instead of America moving forward we are moving backwards.The killing of innocent black men by white cops and the cops walking away scotch free is nothing new in America. The story of Trayvon Martin resembles the story of Emmett Till. Two black boys who life was ended over foolishness and the perpetrators walked away like nothing happen. It is a scary thing to think about that next time you turn on you TV that you can see one of friends or a family member.I see the police force in America is a shame. The people that gets a pay check to protect us are the same ones who turn away and kills us. Most blacks has a deep hatred for the police. Many people would consider them license murders and killers. I don't blame the justice system in America all the way. African Americans are portrayed negatively in society. In America,we are viewed as people who do drugs, uneducated, and make up the prison system. As a people we need to stick together and enhance our self image. Instead of being portrayed as rappers, drug dealers and pimp. We should be portrayed as doctors, lawyers and surgeons. It hurts me to call myself a African American male sometimes because of how people view me. It hurts to realize that my brothers and losing their lives senselessly. It hurts me that I have to live in a racist country were I call my home. Looking back at all the hard work Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Kr. did to end racism was just a total waste. In the cases of Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Sean Bell and many more people who lost their lives; the grand jury had enough evidence to press charges but due to that fact to the fact that majority of the perpetrators where white the cases blew away in the wind. Sometimes I wonder why Whites hates blacks so much. The white perpetrators who walk free I considered them a modern day Ku Klux Klan. I believe that as a race of people we need to stand up and fight this injustice.
ReplyDeleteYou make some very powerful historical connections here Quason. I want you to know that it's not all white who hate. There are some who have not allowed the effects of slavery to pervade their minds. And then, there are the others.... But, I want to know what you consider the logical next steps. How do we move forward? How do we make change? What is the role of the youth? These are the questions I present to you. Let's move away from focusing solely on the problem and look towards actionable next steps.
DeleteThe African American society still struggle today with racial profiling. This issue is presented especially within the corrupted government system where innocent African American males are being target. Eric Garner once said “I can’t breathe” as the NYPD attacked and wrestled him towards the ground like an animal. But this was no shock for me as we live in a world where people of color doesn’t matter. How can the system know who killed these unarmed men nevertheless question whether their lives were even worth living? The grand jury verdict failed to indict Officer Darren Wilson. I learnt that this could have been my brother, my cousin or even my friend. I also learnt that it is legal to kill an African American male for doing nothing at all. How can this country claim they represent equality but the case resulted in injustice? You basically don’t need a reason to kill a black man. White cops just kill and say they feared for their lives. That’s all they say to get out of there consequences. How many people have to die in order to see that the system is unjust? We have no rights as cops may stop us because of our skin. It is the system and by the system I mean whites trying to control our actions when we are the ones being oppressed. As we watch the news we see our people being neglected daily and killed like Mike Brown and Eric Garner. The law enforcement within the United States is one of the most powerful nation is saying that black lives does not matter. The system devalues people like you and me. The procedures, the brutality, and the law enforcers taking advantage of their power. We need to demand our peace, find our souls and allow change to happen. We could not forget the torment of the lives of the black individual. We are supposed to be the people we need make them understand the pain which we face. We need to find strength and stay awake
ReplyDeleteFear is never a just reaction for fatal reproach. I do agree with you. However, I wonder how we can wake up. What will it take? So many have succumb to such an untimely demise that I fear we have to employ drastic measure. However, I do find hope in the youth. You all have the power to change the course of history. How do you think your generation can help to change the system?
ReplyDeleteIn today's world, I believe that every police target is a Black man. The killings of a lot of black men and young men are happening by white people who are free today as we speak. We all know that if a white man kills a black man mostlymlikely he is going to be set free but if the black man kills a white man he is going down. I believe that the whole story of the white man killing an American American mna na being free can somewhat fall on us as the people. I say this because this has happened recently three times and no one stood up to try to do anything about it. Everyone can complain about oh this is unfair and that should never happen but no one wants to do anything to make a change. Yes this world is unfair but it is up to us as the people still living today to make a change into this world. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. I know that the fay Eric Garner, and Mike Brown were both killed they did not think they were going to die that day. We are here today and we do not know when any of us will take our last breaths so we need to start now by making a change in this world.
ReplyDeleteIt is the way an African American react that's makes us an target to police men. Most of the time blacks are disrespectful to police officers and because they have the power to do what they like, they are able to use violence. I was taught to respect a police officer. For example I remember going downtown Brooklyn with my brother in a car and was stop by police officers because they believe the car was stolen. Instead of arguing we simply spoke politely and did whatever they said which prevented any altercations. Being a African America in this society I realize that I must play a certain role when it comes to an officers presence and because I am afraid to lose my life I will not go against an officer even when I know I am right because in all actuality they will always be right no matter what.
DeleteI also believe that we are a target and we have to be very careful of the decisions we make when police officers approach us. As African American male the system even up to this day is now set higher for us to either fail or die. Which ever rough we choose it's difficult because of our race.
Deleteno matter how free African Americans think they are we will never be truly free, because were still seen as the enslaved. after watching numerous interview with white politics they said that the police are scared of us because we show no compassion for each other so what stop us from killing them? to me this is blasphemy i feel like because of the rep African Americans have we prone to the unnecessary force of the police without it being required. i feel like im a target for today's police when they feel like they want to flaunt their power. i cant got swipe my metro card without being asked several question but when i pull out my pba they become relaxed. they fell the need to control us when they are supposed to protect us and i want to do something about it but when you speak out against it they find someway to tarnish your name. but this year we witnessed that there is no just treatment for a white killing a black and from my knowledge it start with the overwhelming 50 shots towards an unarmed man named Sean bell on the night before his wedding
ReplyDeleteAs a young black man I feel as though my life is worth as nothing. And I'm learning that each day it's grows that it's no promise that I will succeed because there always a person that looks at me in a negative way because of how I dress or talk, but I will never change who I am because I im a well educated (so far) street savy African because somtimes I don't even feel American 😪
In accordance with the issue stated by my peers, a great deal of people blame the justice system and law process for our degradation in America. Some of it may sound cliche and seem to target the government for the reason why we are in our current situation. However, we must not bathe in ignorance. Attempting to look at this from a logical perspective, there is a reason for everything. Since "whites" are so strongly opposed to us, what created this in the first place? It couldn't just come from thin air, and it is tiring to hear the redundant s-word as the excuse (slavery). Looking back on our history, it is true that we have been on the bottom of most circumstances. We have been drug dealers, criminals, prostitutes and prisoners, even with the highest rates among all the races. Hard to accept as a people, but necessary. But is this all because of our mental stagnancy tied to the root of slavery? None of us have been through this experience but somehow we all are able to come up with it as an excuse to hate the white man. In fact, if I were to ask any of my classmates, "has there ever been an encounter that you have faced with another white person that lowered your morale?", most would come up with no answer or if they do, it would be nothing compared to those faced by our people in the Jim Crow era. It doesn't even come CLOSE. Somehow we all have our minds stuck in the past to use it as an excuse not to move forward, and if we continue to do this we will go nowhere. Just like today, for example, the reason that we may give for us not to do homework may be because you were "sick", even though you knew that you got over that days ago. This is just an example of how we use the past as an advantage to complain about our disadvantages. How can we be the lawyers, surgeons and doctors that Quason mentioned if all we do is make mistakes and blame it on white America? And we cannot speak like this, for we are not angels ourselves. Nine times out of ten, if we do move forward and put enough of our black brothers and sisters into government offices and flip the script somehow, we may just be occasionally hearing on TV about another black cop beating down a white boy. We are getting revenge on them for the apparent hate that they displayed to us. This is clearly evident because there is a great amount of anger shown in these responses, and where else would all this anger be directed to but the targeted individual themselves. We are all guilty of the same racial injustice that we place on each other and no one is perfect. Even though we may be on the bad end of the stick, if it were turned around it would be us hypocritically doing the same things that we loathed. There is no way to balance out the racial discrimination scale. One race is on top and one race is on the bottom, and that is how it will always be. As long as there are different classifications of humans, this issue will continue from now into the future; and we just have to accept it.
ReplyDeleteBeing an African American male in this present society I am able to understand the vantage point Caucasians have on black simply because of social media. Technology is important in today's society because an individual is able to watch any videos. Based on my opinion , kids my age are blind simply because they only view this problem as racism because a African American was killed by a White man. I am not saying that I am agreeing with either position but we do not know the situation. However I am strongly upset with the Eric Garner Case because he stated "I can't breathe" when a individual says that ,it is giving a clear warning that something is wrong. I do not think most children my age and younger are aware of this situation,however I believe this is just considered a "curse" our people have ,it is the fate of African Americans and even though it sounds absurd, it is true.
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