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Elijah’s last words were: “I’m an introvert. I’m just different that’s all. I’m so sorry. I don’t have a gun. I don’t do that stuff...All I was trying to do was become better. I’ll do it...You all are phenomenal. You are beautiful. And I love you. Try to forgive me. I’m sorry.” https://twitter.com/thesharkpunch/status/1274089602970615814
If cops will murder a young Black boy with special needs while he begs for forgiveness and tells them he loves them even as they’re killing him, they’ll murder anyone who’s Black.
. @AuroraPD murdered a young man who spent his free time playing the violin for shelter animals. They murdered a sweetheart who said he doesn’t eat meat because the thought of dead animals made him sad.
One time, I was walking home from the beach late at night. Ironically enough, I was wearing a gray hoodie. As I’m turning the corner onto my street a SMPD squad car pulls up on me and hits me with his spotlight. So naturally, I remove my headphones and put my hands in the air.
He asks me what I’m doing and I say I’m walking back to my apartment. Which is right across the street. He tells me that they got a call about a suspicious person and I tell him when they find him let me know. Then I turn and keep walking.
He tells me not to take another step. So again I freeze. And now another squad car pulls up. The cop gets out, hand on his gun, and asks to see my ID. Which I don’t have. I ask wtf is going on. And he tells me a jewelry store and some houses got robbed. I fit the description.
So I tell him that I’m literally steps from my house and I can prove it because I have the key that will unlock the door. They fucking follow me to my front door where I show them I’m not lying. They get in their cars and drive off. No apology, nothing.
In the 5 years I’ve been living in Santa Monica, I’ve been stopped 6 or 7 times. I don’t speed, my license and registration is up to date, no warrants, nothing. But each time it happens, I realize that my life is totally in the hands of some insecure jackoff who carries a gun.
But here’s the thing, I’m used to this shit. I know my rights. I’m well-spoken. I’ve had a gun pointed at me more times than I count. And I’m still scared.
Then I think about folks like Elijah who have no social skills. Folks that can’t speak up for themselves.
Then I think about folks like Elijah who have no social skills. Folks that can’t speak up for themselves.
I think about black people who are terrified for their lives when they’re stopped by police. They’re so scared that their first reaction is to run or to struggle. It’s literally how we, as humans, are programmed when we’re in danger. It’s fight or flight.
And because we’ve seen people who look like us getting killed on the news every fucking day, fear and anger are the natural responses around police. If we don’t run, they kill us. If we run and/or fight for our lives, they kill us. The deck is stacked against us.
When I see Elijah’s face, I see myself. We look so alike that we could be related. Hell, my middle name is Elijah.
When I see Elijah’s face, I see the face of a beautiful human being who should still be alive.
When I see Elijah’s face, I see the face of a beautiful human being who should still be alive.
Elijah’s killers
