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This has been a trying week, to say the least. Trying to process everything happening while continuing to work and study for the bar (which at this time is still on as scheduled) is a lot.
My friends, it& #39;s happened again.
My friends, it& #39;s happened again.
Another person was needlessly killed by police, and instead of addressing the hurt and anger many people across the country have (particularly in Minneapolis and Louisville feel), we fall back to those same old tired arguments and hot takes.
Meanwhile, the very real hurt and anger that people have is ignored and dismissed.
Heck, some people mock it and act these deaths as some sort of joke or attempt to be edgy and get clout on social media.
Heck, some people mock it and act these deaths as some sort of joke or attempt to be edgy and get clout on social media.
This thread is in NO way condoning violence, rioting, or looting. All those caught should be prosecuted for the burglary, robbery, and arson they caused.
However, the fact I have to preface this shows that folks are choosing to ignore the overall point.
However, the fact I have to preface this shows that folks are choosing to ignore the overall point.
People are hurt. People are angry.
They feel like they& #39;ve been ignored. They feel as if the people that say they& #39;re there to "protect and serve" them (people they pay their salaries and pension) are just there to round them up like cattle.
They feel like they& #39;ve been ignored. They feel as if the people that say they& #39;re there to "protect and serve" them (people they pay their salaries and pension) are just there to round them up like cattle.
And every time they try to speak, even when peaceful, they are shut down by a community more concerned about their comfort than anything else.
Kaep knelt in peaceful protest. People cheered when the President exclaimed, "get that SOB off the field right now. He& #39;s FIRED!"
Kaep knelt in peaceful protest. People cheered when the President exclaimed, "get that SOB off the field right now. He& #39;s FIRED!"
People staged "die ins" in public spaces. People made fun of them. Folk stood in the middle of the road and people cheered when a car would drive through the line.
People marched through the streets and people said that their concerns were unfounded.
People marched through the streets and people said that their concerns were unfounded.
They tried to state that their lives matter. People shouted over them that "so does everyone else& #39;s"- even though they didn& #39;t deny that fact.
They committed peaceful demonstrations. People said that isn& #39;t the right way and didn& #39;t tell them "the right way."
They committed peaceful demonstrations. People said that isn& #39;t the right way and didn& #39;t tell them "the right way."
People just grouped them all as rioters and looters. Some of them invoked old segregationist language in saying "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."
At every turn, they were ignored and dismissed by the community as a whole.
At every turn, they were ignored and dismissed by the community as a whole.
Simply put, people are tired. To be frank, I am tired.
I spent hours over the phone with my mom cursing up a storm, because I was so angry (and I strive to not curse around her because I don& #39;t want to disrespect her like that).
I continued to replay that video in my head on an endless loop because it could be me. It could easily be me.
I remember "the talk." Hands on 10 and 2. Only address the officer as "Sir" or "Ma& #39;am." Do not speak until spoken to. Do NOT raise your voice or reach for anything.
I remember "the talk." Hands on 10 and 2. Only address the officer as "Sir" or "Ma& #39;am." Do not speak until spoken to. Do NOT raise your voice or reach for anything.
"We want you to come back alive."
I still get chills when a police vehicle is behind me. Even with my car and its paperwork up to date. I tense up until they turn because I don& #39;t know if I& #39;m going to be profiled or worse.
I still get chills when a police vehicle is behind me. Even with my car and its paperwork up to date. I tense up until they turn because I don& #39;t know if I& #39;m going to be profiled or worse.
I remember having to learn to navigate "white spaces." Because my name didn& #39;t sound "black" and I had a light sounding voice, I had folk confuse me as white.
I& #39;ve learned to internalize the shock some people have at meetings when they realize what I actually look like.
I& #39;ve learned to internalize the shock some people have at meetings when they realize what I actually look like.
I& #39;ve been called N*gger (multiple times). People locked their doors when I was just walking across the street. Women clutched their wallets when I got in an elevator.
I& #39;ve had kids tell me to my face that their parents said they should not be around me just because I& #39;m black.
I& #39;ve had kids tell me to my face that their parents said they should not be around me just because I& #39;m black.
This stuff happens to people like me every day and while I& #39;ve been blessed to avoid the more serious incidents, for others, they aren& #39;t as lucky.
I live my life every day knowing that I can wind up as another hashtag.
I live my life every day knowing that I can wind up as another hashtag.
Trying to explain the fact that racism and unconscious bias still exist in our world is tiring. Having people deny that to your face is tiring.
Simply put, I am tired of trying to explain. I just don& #39;t have the energy to do so. Not anymore.
Simply put, I am tired of trying to explain. I just don& #39;t have the energy to do so. Not anymore.
To those who do, you have my respect. God bless you. I commend your strength. You are true leaders and I pray that you continue to be the fierce advocates on the front lines that we need.
