With the help of social media, we have?been made aware of more and more stories surrounding unarmed black and brown people being senselessly shot and killed by vigilantes and even the police. The influx of images and viral videos are constant reminders of the injustice that permeates our society. Here are two more examples.
News broke out Saturday evening of the shooting and killing of an 18 year old teen, Michael Brown, in the town of Ferguson, Missouri. Social media erupted. As more details emerged the anger raged on. Allegedly, the teen had stolen a $1 Cigarillo from a convenience store and then ran because he was afraid of being caught. Witnesses say that he then stopped and raised his hands to surrender, but cops shot him anyway. They also say that the cops continued firing once he was on the ground. In total, reports say that Brown was shot around 8-10 times. Some witnesses have even said that his body remained lifeless in the street for at?least?4 hours. His mother was briefly interviewed and in a video that surfaced on Instagram, and she says that she was not even able to identify her son but knew it was him from the community telling her.
Protesters took to the streets, non-violently, shouting “no justice, no peace.” These men, women, and children were met with police dogs and officers with guns drawn.
Another recent story should not go without mention. On August 5, 22 year old John Crawford was shot and killed in a Wal-Mart in Beavercreek, OH. He was allegedly shot while holding a toy gun inside the store. The mother of his children claims that she was on the phone with him while the incident occurred, hearing him say “it’s not real” along with his screams and cries,?and of course the shots that would kill him. Crawford had 2 children and another on the way, but the mother said she had not even got the chance to tell him yet that she was pregnant again. She also says that she feels the police killed him “like he was not even human.”
I have almost come to a place where I do not know what to say anymore. The continuous killings of our black and brown brothers and sisters just does not make any sense. Okay, someone was stealing from a gas station. Okay, they were wearing a hoodie and mad about being followed. Yes, a girl was drunk and showed up on your doorstep. Sure, a young guy was blasting his music too loud. WHO CARES?! None of these actions warrants a death sentence. Mike Brown had just turned 18 and was going to start college on Monday. John Crawford was going to be a new father soon. And now their families have to try and cope with immense grief for the rest of their lives.
To end, I want to let the people’s voices be heard; to help say what I feel but am getting tired of reiterating. These people are eloquent yet angry. I asked them for their thoughts because they matter. These voices must be heard.
Terrence Giles is a 37 year old black man. He shared his thoughts saying:
@AutumnNAlston We’re looked at as we’re nothing or trouble. But God knows all of our hearts and he is our protection.
? Terrence L Giles (@PowerMan24) August 10, 2014
This struck me. The dichotomy between what he feels he is seen as and what he actually is, is heartbreaking. But still, amid all of the horror, people like Mr. Giles keep their faith strong. Another person who I will refer to by their Twitter name @GrooveSDC , said:
Cops gun down a 17-year-old in front of you & lock down your neighborhood with scores of armed cops because THEY feel threatened #Ferguson ? GrooveSDC (@GrooveSDC) August 10, 2014
This is poignant. ?Who has all the power? Who has the weapons and the most authority to use them? Again, the feeling of fear seems so baseless much of the time, yet these tragedies still occur. @CamelotGypsy shared this interesting perspective:
@LV4RedSox @AutumnNAlston cops aren’t allowed to be judge, jury & executioner — unarmed person shot 10 times = 100% murder
? Vote Out GOP-n-TEA (@CamelotGypsy) August 10, 2014
I agree. Some cops take on so many roles leaving these unarmed people with no chance to sway them, convince them they are worthy of life, etc. Another tweeter, @tcita, said:
My love goes out to the protestors in #Ferguson, who continue to speak truth to power, even when many of us feel paralyzed by sadness. ? tcita (@tcita) August 10, 2014
That last part speaks volumes. Nothing else needs to be said. But perhaps the most moving tweet of the night came from 29 year old Leslie Robinson. She tweeted:
We’re all so tired. Tried of the blatant attacks on our community, our people, our race. We’ve been fighting forever. When do we get to rest ? lesliecamille (@Hautemommie) August 10, 2014
This simplicity is numbing. As a person of color, I do feel as if I never get to rest. At least not in my mind; The over-thinking whenever I am in public, the feeling of bitterness that can consume me, the anger at our people being treated like animals or even worse.
These people’s voices speak truth to power. For those that feel racism is over, go to the people, see their sorrow, hear their pain. No, not all of those expressing anger and yearning for justice in these cases are black or brown. In fact, not everyone I quoted in this article is. The pain felt by the families and friends who have to bury their loved ones crosses all boundaries. Something must change. No one has all the answers but it is imperative that we keep talking.
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