We can't condone in any way violence by either "side". Police or protesters. Yet the part of me that is a twenty-something young black brotester, is irate beyond all reason. Long have I tried to follow in the footsteps of Dr. King, Gandhi, Lennon and Marley, yet I so empathize with the frustration manifested in fire in Ferguson. I also know that when you fight violence with violence, you get more, guess what?
Rev. King said that the violence is "the voice of the unheard." It makes sense in a twisted kind of way. People are "unheard" because the powers that be just haven't been, won't, maybe even can't listen. Perhaps they're deaf? Me thinks it is selective hearing; ie, money talks. We've been making noise about police brutality and equal justice as long as I can remember. Since long before my own recall, folks have been beating their heads bloody on a cinderblock wall. Sometimes I feel like we are tiny toy dogs. Teacup Yorkies yapping and jumping as an uncaring master ignores us. Or like the child who is to be seen but not heard. My opinion is just so much buzz, beneath consideration. Our voices raised in protest seem to be heard as an irritating static or tinnitus.
The talking heads on every channel are calling for a change of policy in the collective paramilitary police department. They will make new rules. That may help. Training will help. The harder job will be rooting racism out of the programmed minds and belief systems of some officers. Over time I've met and talked with many police. I like most of them. I respect them because they can hurt me. Most seem truly dedicated to service. Just like any collective, ya got some good ones and ya got some bad ones. BUT. It's a consciousness thing, a dis-ease that needs be educated out. We only pay lip service to "equal rights". Meanwhile, just like in the bad old days, white men are granted special treatment. Immunity. Impunity. Obviously.
Same as it ever was. Different laws for different people.
Some say that badge cameras will help. It's doubtful. Sure didn't help Mr. Garner much. Police are flat-out allowed to break the law. Apparently they are never indicted. They are given license to kill, allowed to overreact and use deadly force. They commit crimes yet are unaccountable. It should be no surprise to us when prosecutors [who work hand-in-hand with police] are biased. Their symbiotic relationship demands it. Why bother with a Grand Jury? Why pretend? As they say, you can indict a ham sandwich. You can indict a flipping bag of Skittles but not a Copper who kills.
Seers say that everything in this universe happens for a reason. It is highly probable that this cusp of violence is meant to shine light on the epidemics of racism, fear, and hate in this country. Here's hoping there's is a method to the madness and this is a turning point, the beginning of acknowledging, confronting, and fixing our broken systems.
As Dr. Phil says, "You can't fix what you don't acknowledge."
I say, if you can ignore this you must be in a coma.
It's a travesty.
These repetitive incidents.
These broken mourning families.
Unacceptable.
