I am stepping way out of my comfort zone on this one. But I just cannot get these words out of my head; I’ve got some things that need to be said. And before you say anything, I know how powerless words can be. It is real action that brings about change. But I honestly don’t know what else to do. And maybe my words will spark inspiration in others.

Look, for all of my friends and family who may have forgotten, I am black. Yes, my mother is white and my father was black. Yes, I have been told that I act ‘white’ and that I am ‘safe black’. Yes, the majority of the people I hang out with and call my friends are white. BUT I AM BLACK. The things that are happening in this country right now, they could very easily happen to me. Given the wrong situation, you all could be attending my funeral because of a ‘misunderstanding of my true intentions’. This is what I have to worry about when I leave my house for work everyday. How would you all feel if I was shot for standing outside of a store or for simply reaching for my license and registration? I hope that you wouldn’t be too happy with that scenario. For those of you who so openly attack and try to discredit the victim, I wish you could understand it from my point of view. I feel like it’s common sense, but maybe that’s just me. But for those of you who have spoken up, I appreciate it more than you can know. Words may not get us there, but silence does nothing for anyone.

But wait, am I saying I am against the police?! Of course not. I know some police officers personally and I understand (not completely obviously) that they face many obstacles and hardships working what can often be a thankless job. But they swore an oath to protect civilians, and it is not out of the question to want them to be held to that oath. That is why I have to thank Officer Nakia Jones for being the only police officer to speak up over the last two years of these occurrences happening. There are plenty of good cops out there, and since everyone wants to get mad at us for trying to hold police officers accountable, then I say it is up to these good cops to do just that. They should be holding their partners and brothers-in-blue accountable. They know what is right and wrong, and they know when a cop is acting out of order. No brotherhood is above keeping its members in check, especially one that swears an oath to protect the innocent, yet any attempt to curtail loose cannons is met with outrage. It just does not make any sense.

That is one of the most messed up things about Philando Castile’s shooting. After decades and decades of advocating for gun rights, this happens and the NRA is quiet as a mouse. Danny Rivero, producer/reporter for Fusion, reached out to the NRA and was told they had no comment regarding the situation and probably wouldn’t either. Really? Mass shooting happens and they clamor for everyone to have guns to protect themselves, but a black man gets pulled over, announces he has a conceal/carry permit and a gun in the car, and is still somehow shot over it, and the NRA doesn’t come to his defense?? I guess maybe the NRA wasn’t talking about black people having guns…

Look, all of that aside, the fact of the matter is the United States is a nation in turmoil right now. Whether we can rise up above it still remains to be seen. The first step in dealing with a problem is admitting you have one. Right now, most of us would rather blame others, blame victims, instead of recognizing that there is something wrong with our nation. It is extremely disappointing and upsetting. Innocent people, black and white, are being harmed by those who have sworn to protect us. The NRA is so scared of the government taking our guns, they block any and all proposals and bills to research gun violence and the like, but yet refuse to defend a black man who was legally carrying a gun and killed over it. Something has to give. Change is needed. We can all say the right things until we’re blue in the face, but some kind of action is needed. Our mentality needs a face-lift. All of us, black, white, hispanic, need to stand together and push for change. Not just in the government, but in our own backyards too. Because all lives do matter.. black and white and blue and everything in between. Maybe my words will help, maybe they won’t, but I could not sit idly by anymore without speaking up and I didn’t know what else to do.

This post is not meant to offend anyone, but if you can’t handle the truth, that’s not my fault. That’s something you have to deal with yourself, and I truly hope you figure it out. If you don’t agree with what I’m saying and feel the need to delete me, go right ahead. I’m not looking to get in an argument with anyone, I just had to get my thoughts out there. Speaking of which, that is all I have for now. Until next time, take care.

 

The lyrics for this post’s title came from Childish Gambino’s My Shine