The country and surprisingly, the world have been stirred up since the injustice on May 25, in Minneapolis. The death of Mr. Floyd has once again brought the dark-side of humanity to our mobiles, laptops, and TV’s. The sheer disregard for a person’s well-being from a uniformed, city employed, peace officer, was appalling, but so was the lack of intervention from the other 3 officers. I was always taught to stand-up for those who couldn’t. Protests have erupted across red and blue states, in addition to Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and even Pakistan, I can only assume others were raised the same.
Past the boiling point and DEAFCON-1, was the killing of Rayshard Brooks, in an Atlanta Wendy’s drive-thru just over 2 weeks later. Again, a majority of the Earth’s population was subjected to Faces of Death in the most prosperous country in the world by white officers on black men. Hip-Hop has been explaining to us for many years the seriousness of police brutality through such songs as, “Fuck the Police,” and “Cop Killer,” but now, it has become accessible to all at a click of a button.
The majority of law enforcement, are solid people but with power comes sociopaths, enter Derek Chauvin, the officer charged with Mr. Floyd’s death. This man was involved in 3 shootings, one fatal, on a domestic violence call. He won a medal for being a quicker draw. Not to mention the 18 complaints, two of which resulted in disciplinary action. If you are intent on dispensing a firearm on American Citizens, we don’t need you.
Back in October, Aaron Dean, of the Fort Worth PD, shot and killed Atatiana Jefferson, in her own home through a window. Fort Worth received a call on the non-emergency line because their front door was open. Atatiana was playing video games with her 8 yr. old nephew. Cops are supposed to “Protect and Serve,” not go on the offensive on private property. Common sense tells me, you should probably go to the front door that’s open and holler in.
George Floyd was not a good dude, as his public records indicate, but he didn’t deserve to die over a $20 counterfeit bill. Rayshard was only facing a DUI, even though his breathalyzer read .108 before he decided to resist arrest and take a Taser from officers. And, Atatiana; did nothing but leave the front door open. These officers lives were not at risk and deadly force should not have been authorized. But this doesn’t mean we defund police and label all officers racist.
Instead, more community involvement is needed, like the story out of Shaker Heights, Ohio; the home of Ted Mosby, Sex Architect.(HIMYM) The cops were called because kids were playing with the pigskin in the street. Something kids often do that gives seniors a reason to raise their voice. The police took a break and played some ball with the youngsters, building rapport and friendship with the neighbors. Sports, definitely bridges the gap and is a great starting point.
I can appreciate the equality a weight room brings. The weights and bar don’t give a damn about your race, gender, or age, you can lift it or you can’t; no bias. I had this rude awakening on the Appalachian Trail 3 years ago. The trail did not show mercy on me even though I had added 4 sets of calf raises to every workout. It beat everyone down the same. But how do we find this meeting of the minds when the President is Re-Tweeting, “White Power,” from a golf cart cracker? The incident felt like a WWE promo against the Nation. Divide and conquer, I suppose; choice your side, BLM or BluLM.
If we fall into the same trap the 1% laid since the 2 party-system, we are doomed to lose the war. American’s lives have not accelerated in the last 20 years, hence the Trump election. It doesn’t matter if it’s Bush or Obama our American Dream has dwindled. No one knows this better than the Black community and the abuses they’ve felt from all sectors of American culture. I really don’t think they have ever been truly welcomed to the Land of the Free.
There is only one way, beyond a doubt, to have a common man’s voice heard, you hurt their bottom line!
History has shown during the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955, which was a result of Rosa Parks’ defiance, resulted in a win one year later. During the days leading up to Christmas 1955 in Alabama, humanity shined with kindness and unity through neighbors filling in for the lack of transportation. Black taxi drivers dropped their fares to $.10 per ride, comparable with the bus. Carpools were organized before group messaging and emails. These citizens were not just helping their neighbors but signing up to fight the war! The city went after and indicted 88 leaders and drivers for interfering with the city bus business as it had become non-profitable. Cab drivers who did not charge $.45 per ride were subject to fines.
MLK, who helped organize the boycott, had his home firebombed, in addition to 4 churches. After the attack he said this in his front yard with 300 men in attendance,
“If you have weapons, take them home; if you do not have them, please do not seek to get them. We cannot solve this problem through retaliatory violence. We must meet violence with nonviolence. Remember the words of Jesus: “He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword”. We must love our white brothers, no matter what they do to us. We must make them know that we love them. Jesus still cries out in words that echo across the centuries: “Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; pray for them that despitefully use you”. This is what we must live by. We must meet hate with love. Remember, if I am stopped, this movement will not stop, because God is with the movement. Go home with this glowing faith and this radiant assurance.”
Victory, the United States Supreme Court, on November 13, 1956, upheld the district court’s ruling that segregation on public buses and transportation was against the law.
But, the citizens of Montgomery were not treated as such and violence ensued from men, who I would assume hold a Christian background. Snipers and shotguns were fired at the buses, more church bombings, and kids getting beaten just because Black American’s requested to ride the bus with White folk. King’s Gandhi like calming presence in the face of so many attacks and injustices was quite a divine accomplishment. And, even though times did not get easier for these American’s, the Nation was put on notice and we started a path that ends in peace.
Freedom of religion was the reason the Pilgrims made the 66 day daunting trip across a cold Atlantic Ocean in early November, 1620. The rest of the world envied this civil liberty living under oppressive regimes. It’s astonishing that the United States is home to the largest population of Christians, 240 million, and racism is still practiced and taught. It was apparent Jesus’s lessons about love and forgiveness are not a lifestyle choice practiced 7 days a week, when the President was attacked by both parties, after inviting the Taliban to Camp David on 9/11 for peace negations. Seems like something out the Christ playbook to have you worst enemy over on the anniversary of the bloodshed, forgive, break bread, and move forward in peace, but maybe that’s just me.
Being brought up in an all-white Catholic school I was exposed to the teachings of Jesus from a very young and impressionable age. He’s asking his brothers and sisters to love, forgive, and look out for another’s well-being, in an environment of duality, no easy task. I believe this be an effortlessly agreeable commitment for all on Earth, which is why I couldn’t disagree with Andrew Yang’s campaign slogan, Humanity First!
So how can Americans conquer the divide and unite under the idealisms that make this melting pot the best country in the world?
The quick fix has been to take aim at Confederate Statues, changing the narrative and dividing us at the Mason-Dixon Line. This issue is for another day. Let us not forget those men were traitors to the Union but I think we all should focus on the fact; we have more in common than differences.
Anglo-Saxon Americans felt the pain of their African American brothers and sisters when their livelihoods, homes, and pensions disappeared during The Great Recession. The government did not bail them out and so they were reduced to second class citizens, non-essential, but such entities with rights of individuals, BOA, for example, did not lose their shirt for their gambling habit. In fact they were rewarded!
If race relations are to heal it will take more opportunity for education, careers, and community involvement. Individuals that are so far apart in wealth, health, and education will never see themselves in the mirror of another who holds less status in society. Think of the 1%! Wall Street continues growth as the unemployment numbers, missed mortgage payments, and slashed tax revenue remain rampant. Think they care about the working class, middle class, or anyone making less than $475k a year, the 1%?
All Americans that fall into the 99% need to confederate and form a more perfect union in order to bridge the divide between white, black, and everyone in between. The fact only 10% of workers have union membership, whose workers see 15% more in pay and benefits, is a tragedy when men fought and died in places such as Homestead, Pa. The tax code is rigged in the 1%’s favor, while they pay themselves first, our checks are deducted immediately. The fractional banking system continues to devalue our dollar while printers only shut down for Thanksgiving and Christmas. College grads drowned and gasp for breath, doggy paddling in student loans; accounting for $1.5 trillion in debt. When 78% of the New Rome citizenry, the only Superpower, with more aircraft carriers than all other countries combined, live paycheck to paycheck;
We need to look past race and understand they divide the classes.
Humanity is an experiment and blows up in your face at times,
But
Growth always occurs.
What will be the next event that enrages us enough to fight the 1%?
My favorite President, Thomas Jefferson, (U know his business) once said,
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers Championship parade in 2016 was a bridge in race relations that I felt personally. The joy was so thick in the atmosphere you had to brush away from your face. We all had a common denominator and the only harsh words were for the police on horseback, doing their best to keep the street open for traffic. It was no match for the power we held as a collective!
Just like the Nike, “Together,” commercial illustrates all Clevelanders putting arms on shoulders of each other, while LBJ chants to the Cavs,
“1, 2, 3… Hard Work, 4, 5, 6… Together.”
Heads down and forward, hand in the air, whether fist, peace, or open, chanting,
“TOGETHER.”
That’s goddamn right.
