Photo taken by Christian Smooth
In recent days there have been hundreds of protests that have broken out across the nation. Yet again, ANOTHER black man was killed by the police. This time it wasn’t due to gun violence, it was suffocation. This is a national emergency.
On May 25, Minneapolis Police Officers arrested George Floyd, a 46 year old black man who was accused of using a fake $20 bill to make a purchase. Once detained by the police, they put George on the ground and began pinning their knees to his body, including his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds without moving. Unfortunately, George succumbed to his injuries and died on the scene.
As George was pinned to the ground, he called out several times that he could not breathe and pleaded with officers to let him up. Innocent bystanders stood by and screamed at the police to let George stand up because they could see that he was dying right before their eyes.
A day after George’s death, the police department fired all four of the officers involved. A few days later, Hennepin County Attorney, Mike Freeman announced 3rd-degree murder and manslaughter charges against Derick Chauvin, who was in plain view of the video shown pinning George down.
I’m not happy, along with many other black people about these charges. First and furthermore, the charge needs to be to 1st-degree murder, and ALL of the cops involved need to be charged. It should not take this long to bring forth charges against anyone.
Time and time again, police officers are let off the hook for their racist behavior. They took an oath and pledge to uphold the law but to also PROTECT citizens, but many seem to lack a moral compass when it comes to arresting black people. All they care about is using their badges for power and control.
Many cops claim to be in fear of there lives when they shoot unarmed black people. I don’t understand how this is always an excuse when they have bulletproof vests on, and they carry guns on them at all times. If you’re scared to do your job, get another job.
There are videos seen of black men and women running away from the police, and the cops are still shooting at them. IF SOMEONE IS RUNNING AWAY, WHY ARE YOU SHOOTING THEM?
No Justice, No PEACE
Photography by Christian Smooth
I see that a lot of people are trying to use the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, to bring about peace when it comes to dealing with race-related matters. Although that may work for some people, it does not always work. Unfortunately, a lot of the looting and destruction going on are caused by people who are hurt, and they may not have the resources to get the things they need. Things can easily be replaced, a life can not.
Am I a fan of looting and destruction? No, but I understand why. Burning the city to the ground may wake America up. Peaceful protesting has been going on for years, but it has not been as effective as we like. Nobody should have to light a building on fire to be heard.
In the words of Malcolm X, “We must approach our enemies in the language that they understand.” In other words, If you bring me peace, I will remain peaceful. If you bring me violence, I will bring you destruction. It makes me very uncomfortable when I see black folks on TV during these protests hugging cops and being all nice to them when they have brought so much chaos to other people’s lives. They do not get a pat on the back for doing their jobs.
What about black officers? That’s a question that I hear a lot. I can give you a real answer, or I can provide you with a watered-down response. I do not believe that black people should be police officers due to the racist history of police. I only say this because we have to dismantle the entire system first for this to bring about change. Too many black officers are compliant and do not speak out enough in fear of losing their job.
I say this with respect too all my friends and family who are law enforcement.
Christian Smooth
Dismantle the System
We need to support those that support us. We need to buy from black businesses and stop supporting these corporations that support racist ideologies. We need to do MORE.
If we stop giving our money to white America we can keep the wealth in our community and these companies will be forced to comply. Without the black dollar, a lot of these companies would not even exist.
We also need to stop focusing on black celebrities that have shown us in the past; they do not care. Once you reach a certain level of status in the industry, your mind shifts. Celebrities only care about protecting their brand, which is why a lot of them do not speak out, or when they do speak out, they will make a very generic statement to play it safe.
This statement also applies to white silence. Why do you all care about what white people are thinking right now? We do not have the time to sit around and worry about if someone is going to speak out. Our real allies will speak out regardless. If you have white friends who are not speaking out, guess what? They ARE not your FRIEND.
Another way to dismantle the system is to go after these police unions that are protecting the police. Why is it that a police officer can shoot an unarmed black person, get fired, and then two months later have another police job in another county? It doesn’t make sense! Time to write letters and get to work.
Donate! Put YOUR money where your mouth is. There are hundreds of different charities to choose from that are against police brutality and racism.
Here are a few
https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
https://www.joincampaignzero.org
Hold these politicians accountable. Our trash ass President tweeted on May 29, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” For those that are not familiar with that phrase, it came from a Miami Police chief in 1967 who stated that looters should be shot. Of course, Trump tried to back peddle and pretend like he didn’t know where the phrase came from.
Politicians like Trump are cowardly and have no respect for anyone but themselves. All this man does is incite violence and expects citizens to remain civil. If the President of the United States can’t even be civilized, why should anyone else?
This is why its extremely important to exercise your rights and VOTE. I know that some of you are going to disagree with me, but you’re not only voting for a President. You’re voting for local officials as well. These local officials are the people choosing to elect police commissioners and all. Another way to help is by writing to your state delegates and senators.
No matter what side of the political fence you’re on, I think we all can agree that what is taking place right now is not only disheartening, but it’s causing a lot of us to have PTSD. I want police brutality to stop, and I want it to stop now. We must hold racist police accountable.
Before I wrap this up, I want everyone to please remember black women that are killed and brutalized by the police as well. Often, black women’s voices are overshadowed by the media and other news stories. This is not to start a competition, but we must use our voices in the same way as we did for George Floyd and many others.
Feel free to like, subscribe, and comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Shalonta
Rest In Power to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubery, and many others. You will never be forgotten and we will continue to say your names.
Well said! ❤️
Thank you so much!!
I enjoyed reading your blog! This is such a trying time in the middle of a pandemic! I’m hoping George Floyd as well as many other killed in senseless acts by policemen from this day forward receive justice 🖤
I hope so too Joanna!
Wow! This was well said! Thank you!
Great read!!! I agree with you about the looting and rioting. I understand why they’re doing it and it was MLK Jr. who said rioters are voices that are unheard. As for black police officers, unfortunately I’ve witnessed one using excessive force on a family member so the little trust I had in them isn’t there anymore.