First, let me start be saying I along with many Americans feel deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy that took place on June 17th at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine lives were lost to racism and hate. The perpetrator of this horrific crime was captured without incident. Of Course he was apprehended without incident... just like James Holmes that killed 12 people in a Colorado movie theater or Julia Shields that went on a shooting rampage in Chattanooga. There are many similar stories that prove disparities as it relates to apprehending suspects. Two Idaho men were taken into custody after shooting up a Walmart with a BB gun. Both were intoxicated. They walked into the Post Falls Walmart and proceeded to remove BB guns from boxes, before loading one and firing it four times while in the store. Walmart security contacted police, saying the two men “started shooting the gun in the store and made comments that they were going to shoot the store up.” According to one Walmart employee, the drunken men approached him and asked if he wanted to join them in their shooting spree. They, unlike John Crawford (killed for playing with a toy gun picked up in the store) are still alive. This is evidence of the difference in perceptions when it comes to African Americans...particularly our children. Trayvon Martin was called a thug and Dylan Roof is identified as mentally ill. It goes without saying that anyone that is prejudiced is mentally ill. We are used to living among the "mentally ill", but it can't be an excuse for a premeditated massacre.
In my heart, I don't believe that all police are malicious and corrupt. I know there are many that are being judged by the company they keep and what seems to be a growing culture among law enforcement. I personally refuse to misjudge or criticize an individual because he or she is in law enforcement. I can however, criticize a growing standard of acceptance of police misconduct. When similar things happen over and over, we recognize them as a pattern. As a mathematician, I consider patterns to create formulas or rules. Rules formulate a culture. Therefore, we live in a culture or society in which police brutality targets young African Americans often without penalty. This isn't a new society, but one that has tried to hide under the shadows of the tree of racism rooted in this country. We can't kill the tree unless we attach the roots. The fight isn't over. Many became comfortable and complacent as long as they could ignore the ills of the world. Well, it is hard to ignore now. So what shall we do? Not just African Americans, but all Americans that have intelligence and a heart. There is power in numbers and economics. Let's figure out how to unite and force a change. A change that allows room for redemption and avoidance of arrest if you get loud, walk on the wrong side of the street, buy skittles, or raid a swim party.
#justmythoughts
In my heart, I don't believe that all police are malicious and corrupt. I know there are many that are being judged by the company they keep and what seems to be a growing culture among law enforcement. I personally refuse to misjudge or criticize an individual because he or she is in law enforcement. I can however, criticize a growing standard of acceptance of police misconduct. When similar things happen over and over, we recognize them as a pattern. As a mathematician, I consider patterns to create formulas or rules. Rules formulate a culture. Therefore, we live in a culture or society in which police brutality targets young African Americans often without penalty. This isn't a new society, but one that has tried to hide under the shadows of the tree of racism rooted in this country. We can't kill the tree unless we attach the roots. The fight isn't over. Many became comfortable and complacent as long as they could ignore the ills of the world. Well, it is hard to ignore now. So what shall we do? Not just African Americans, but all Americans that have intelligence and a heart. There is power in numbers and economics. Let's figure out how to unite and force a change. A change that allows room for redemption and avoidance of arrest if you get loud, walk on the wrong side of the street, buy skittles, or raid a swim party.
#justmythoughts
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