I rarely watch the news. It's too depressing and lacks the honesty, however, I did watch the news yesterday as the protesting started in New York in reference to the late Eric Garner. The scene was amazing. I was shocked at how many people came together in Manhattan, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington D.C. The union of all different races coming together to protest against police brutality. Everyone has a theory and excuses of why the police officer did what he did. I heard it all...Eric Garner was 6'4", 250 lbs., he's had other arrests...blah, blah, blah. I cannot fathom that a retired cop on CNN had the audacity to say that he deserved what he got for selling non taxed cigarettes to crackheads. Yes, this guy used the word crackhead on national television. I can only think of one thing. Where is the human emotion of treating a human like a human and not an animal?
This man did not commit a mortal sin. He did not rape anyone, molest any children, beat his wife, abuse his kids, commit murder, homicide or any other capital punishment crime. He was simply selling cigarettes to the drug addicts, he wasn't selling the drugs. Yet, his life was cut short over something so trivial. Officers have mace and stun guns, why not use one of those methods. Eric didn't even assault the officers. In the words of his daughter he died a horrible death because one officer decided to be the hero. I do not condone crime, I condone justice.
Children are taught from very little that when you do wrong there are consequences, even after you grow up, so why are cops exempt? If minors receive charges for their crimes and civilians receive charges for their crimes than I believe officers should be held more accountable, if not, made examples of because they are the law. The people are losing faith in this country, in it's leaders and it's law enforcement. I do believe Mr. Garners death will not be in vain, unfortunately this had to happen for there to be change.
I will keep it short tonight and ask that if you are on the side of justice and believe in humanitarianism, then peacefully protest. Demand a change. Write about it. Talk about it. If there are protests going on in the area I will go. We are all one, one nation under God. This isn't about black or white, as there is a case in Utah where a young white man was shot and killed by a cop. This is a power issue, this is a national crisis. We need stricter rules and better education. Cops are not given a license to kill, they are given a badge to protect and serve. Someone needs to remind them of this. May the force be with you my fellow readers.
Great post Anya! It seems like we are living in a time where life doesn't much for cops in this country. That's really sad and I think it's frustrating for anyone hoping living in a peaceful ans safe place. Life is a gift, money can not buy it and It's a gift from God.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! Your post are always well thought out and organized. I believe there was some protest held last week or so in the area of West Palm Beach, but thats not brocasted. Its true, officers have used thier power to their full advantage and its not helping civilian fee safe and free from pain and suffering. Cops are abusing their rights to hold a badge and a peacful protest is the only way for change. Viloence and hate on hate crimes solve nothing!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome post. I am very appalled by the treatment of police toward Black men. Within the last two years, there have been more black men gunned down or killed by police than there has been one on one crime. What makes this okay? How is this justifiable treatment of a people? The way that I have been feeling lately is that the system has created a legal loophole to persecute blacks. Their finding all kinds of reasons to eliminate a race of people. How was Mr. Garner hurting anyone? Yes, he was selling cigarettes illegally and yes he was breaking a federal law, but what constitutes death? Or what about the twelve year old boy killed in Chicago,kids play with toy guns all of the time, but because he was black and "someone" called the police and claiming that they had seen a gun, does that make it okay to take his life. Whatever happened to using other methods like words. The power of words are a great thing, everyone should use them. I am just really disgusted with this country and what's so funny, their quick to enter into a war in other countries, but in all actuality, we're fighting a war right here at home not to mention, other countries are looking at the US and how its law enforcement officers persecute individuals of color constantly. When does it stop?
ReplyDeleteI agree, people should get out there and let there voices be heard. I don't think saying its not a black/white thing is correct though. I agree the problem is across the board but it is a black/white thing for the majority of people protesting. Nobody is speaking out about a white man getting killed by cops and nobody says anything about black people being killed by black cops. I've heard people on the news complain because some white people want to get involved in the protesting. They did a whole story on a white nurse who was protesting but she had to be afraid because she was white. Some protesters didn't want her there. Even the post above mine, she's specific about mentioning Black men. Nope, regardless of how someone feels about "cops" this has definitely become a black/white thing. Good post!
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