The past week has been very emotional, for all of us. Once again the headlines are filled with hashtags, Black men being killed by police officers. #AltonSterling was selling CD’s outside a convenience store…shot dead by police officers. #PhilandoCastile, shot dead in his vehicle while reaching for his drivers license & registration-just as the police officer asked him to. Five police officers shot dead in Dallas by a lone gunman during a peaceful Black Lives Matter march.
All of this senseless killing is extremely hard on those of us with Black families. I find myself in a constant state of fear, anxiety through the roof. We never know who is going to be next- will it be MY husband, MY 22 year old son, MY FIL?!
EVERY.SINGLE.DAY, this is what we live with. Will my husband make it home from work today? My 22 year old son likes to go out at night, do you have any idea how much fear that fills me with? My days are filled with fear, I pray ALL.DAY.LONG, because I can’t handle this alone. I pray that my family will be protected every time they walk outside our door.
Our nation has reached a boiling point. Black people are tired of being used for target practice. I’m tired of seeing the same scenario played out over & over. People need to get their heads out of the sand, wipe their eyes & take a good look around them. Why are Blacks shot on sight, while other races are given the benefit of the doubt? Why are Whites handcuffed & arrested and Blacks shot dead?
Right or Wrong?
I am running out of words – this is just crazy. For one moment, remove race from the equation. How about you just look at it as Right & Wrong.
Killing someone for carrying a gun in an open carry state… Right or Wrong? Killing a 12 year old child for playing with a toy gun… Right or Wrong? Killing someone reaching for their license & registration, as you asked them to… Right or Wrong? Using excessive force… Right or Wrong? Shooting on sight… Right or Wrong? Police brutality… Right or Wrong?
Standing by & watching all this happen without saying a word… Right or Wrong?
Please #SaySomething! #SpeakUp! Change starts with each & every one of us.
I’ve created a tee & will be donating proceeds from the sale to groups that are in the trenches, doing the work that needs to be done. If you’d like to order one, I’ve included the link. Thank you.
*photo credit: Facebook IG page
