In July of 2014, a man named Eric Garner was killed when a police officer put him in a chokehold and didn’t listen or let up when Garner said that he couldn’t breathe…
Just last week George Floyd was killed when a police officer knelt on his neck and didn’t let up.
2 men
2 different cops
A 6 year difference and it has me questioning what exactly has changed…
Then there is the fact that, so many other innocent lives were lost between these two men…
Trayvon Martin
Tamir Rice
Freddy Grey
Philando Castille
Alton Sterling
Ahmaud Arbery
Sandra Bland
Atatiana Jefferson
Breonna Taylor
I could go on…
So, unless you live under a rock you have either seen or heard about the recent death of George Floyd, a black man who was murdered by a cop. I say murdered because that is what occurred, a murder. Anyone who knows me knows that I am more of a let’s all get along type of person. I know that racism exists. I’ve seen it and witnessed it. I know what it feels like and what it looks like.So, because of that I refused to watch the video. Not because I don’t want to face it or admit that it happened, because it did. I chose not to watch it because me watching the video is not going to take away the hurt that I feel, it won’t make me any less angry about the fact that once again another black man has lost his life at the hands of an individual who took an oath to protect and to serve. It won’t change the fact that once again, another senseless death has happened. It won’t change the fact that although so much has changed, nothing has changed at all. There is still a great deal of racism that is alive and well in this country, and more often than not the population that has to take the brunt of it is the black race, the black man.
It’s heartbreaking and it makes me so very angry that it keeps happening. But that won’t change anything either.
So instead of being angry, lets honor those who are no longer here by taking the time to celebrate the men who are still here with us. Let’s keeps raising our sons to be proud and strong black men and raise our daughters to love them too.
Let’s keep the lines of communication open across barriers. Not all non white people are choosing to remain ignorant. Embrace those who are trying to learn. Race is a part of who we are but only a small part, there is more to people than our skin color. We have differences, but that is a good thing. Life would be dull if we were all the same. Let’s celebrate our differences and enjoy them. God made us ALL in His image not just some us. So, let’s keep seeking God in all we do, in everyone we meet, and let Him show us how amazing His creations are.
