DEZ CAUGHT IT

by with No Comment FeaturedRace RelationsSocial Issues

My initial reaction to Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict for the murder of George Floyd was… “and.” “And” in the sense that, a guilty verdict of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter should have been his actual fate. But as Childish Gambino rapped… This is America, a place where we see blatant injustices carried out against Black people every day, recorded on cell phones, and the agents of the state (police officer) almost always found not guilty. 

Instead of channeling negativity, I’d rather echo the words of George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, “We are able to breathe again.” Philonise would go on to summarize the meaning behind his quote by stating, “I told you, we will get justice. And still, we’re gonna fight for you too. We got to fight for everybody.” And that’s where I hope the verdict leads, not to a historical point, rather a historical trend… a trend in which accountability is held by the state when it commits crimes against Black people.

Sorta like Dez Bryant. 

A few years back, the National Football League created a problem thought to have been established when the game of football was invented, what is a catch? This became extremely controversial after Dallas Cowboys Receiver Dez Bryant brought the questioning of the catch rule to light in the 2014 playoffs. Though millions of viewers watching the game, and the broadcast booth watching the replay, no way, based on what we thought a football catch was, would Dez Bryant’s clutch touchdown be overturned and not ruled a catch. After the review, it wasn’t a catch, Dallas, and an entire football fanbase for years feared whenever a contested-catch was made, would it be overturned?

Sounds familiar? 

It seems with each controversial killing by a police officer, we the public, even when empirical evidence such as recordings are presented, the ruling goes in the officer’s favor. 

In 2018, years after ruling against it, the NFL ruled Dez Bryant did in fact make a legitimate football catch, and Dallas should have been awarded the touchdown, lead, and possible victory. Since the ruling was reversed and the NFL has since made several rules changes, there has been far less questioning on catches, and the reviews more consistent. 

There is no doubt, the endless crying from Cowboys fans and hashtag #dezcaughtit had a strong influence on the NFL ultimately resulting in them improving the catch rule. Regarding George Floyd, the verdict and case were clearly amplified by everything from the initial cell phone recording to global protesting, showing that those strong influences could lead to change. Hopefully, it’s long-term change.

Similar Read: Chauvin Verdict

My Thoughts on Ma’Khia Bryant’s Death

by with No Comment FeaturedRace RelationsSocial Issues

While seemingly gaining a small step in the right direction for America with the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial, another African American gets shot by the police. Her name was Ma’Khia Bryant.

Officers are sworn to protect and serve, but often they show up, shoot, and another person dies. The officer’s bodycam shows that there only seemed to be mere seconds to make a decision when he sees what appears to be a knife in one girl’s hand attempting to stab another person. It was in those seconds that the officer had to make a decision. I find myself asking a myriad of questions: was firing 4 shots at Ma’Khia necessary? Was the gun the only solution or would a taser have sufficed? Would the response have been different if it were two White girls fighting? And lastly, I find myself asking a rather disturbing question… Who is to blame?  

Undoubtedly the police officer firing the 4 shots that claimed her life is the one who is at fault, yet I can’t seem to digest the fact that perhaps her death could have been prevented that day… before the police arrived. 

The bodycam not only shows her final moments, but also other adults who were present and filming the fight as it was taking place. The video shows others filming the altercation and others cheering. Not one of them decided to intervene and it puzzles me as to why? When the arguing started, not one person stepped in. When it continued, no one stepped in. When the knife appears, no one stepped in. Instead, they reached for their cell phones. I cannot shake this disturbing fact that our society has become accustomed to doing nothing. We’d rather record these altercations and upload them for pure entertainment… all for just another “World Star” moment.  

Capturing these abominable acts for entertainment is not too far removed from the lynching photography in the 1800s where photos of those lynched would be turned into souvenirs for those in attendance.  All of this, in mockery of a life.  

A girl lost her life yesterday and albeit harsh, I blame everyone in her community, not just the officer. I blame those adults who were filming for enjoyment. I blame the adults who seemingly cheered on the fight. I blame the adults for purposefully not intervening. The community failed her.   

It isn’t until they are willing to acknowledge the inherent racism that is deep within their system that change can happen. Racism and the lack of trust between Black Americans and the police has to change. Accountability and reform need to happen. While the conviction of Derek Chauvin seemingly proved we were embarking on a path, the correct path, the death of Ma’Khia Bryant alongside others killed by police proves we have barely begun to scratch the surface of change in America.  

America has to heal. We have to do better… we must do better.

Similar read: The Significance of Derek Chauvin’s Verdict

2020 Election… A Vote for Humanity

by with No Comment FeaturedPolitics

[New Contributor]

With nearly 100 million people casting their votes early, this 2020 election has not only become a free for all for our democracy, but a fight for our humanity.  2020 has been, without a doubt, a complete shit show.  

Our President’s lack of preparation and response to COVID-19, his response to the ongoing systemic racism highlighted by the shootings of unarmed Black men and women by police, his slow refusal to denounce White Supremacists, and his personal attacks on members of Congress, the media and other individuals, has sent Americans further down the proverbial rabbit hole desperate for a way out from when we entered back in 2017.

The protests from his 2017 inauguration should have been an indication that our nation was going to be in for one hell of a term. If you weren’t convinced during his 2016 presidential campaign that maybe just maybe he was not the man for the job, Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma made that clear. It was evident by the slow response of the government during this time of crisis that our now President simply did not care; no empathy. How would you feel if a hurricane literally took away everything you had in seconds? I doubt you’d find comfort from our Commander in Chief, tossing you paper towels as a way to help alleviate the pain and suffering that you’d be experiencing.

His constant lies and disregard for basic human compassion leaves us to question: What kind of person is running our country?  

A 74-year-old man who never discovered that path to maturity and has remained an egocentric megalomaniac; a man that lives at the intersection of self-centeredness and limited judgment. A racist.

Racial tensions in this country have been felt for more than 400 years. Despite attempts to be subtle by our counterparts (White people… you’re not), we can see that shit plain as day. The death of George Floyd served as the tipping point for everyone.   The deep-seated pain of the past 400 years erupted overnight across America plunging us back in history as if were the 1960s. So what happens when the president exacerbates the racial tensions arising from the deaths of several unarmed Black men and women by police? We have the perfect recipe to incite a race war.   

Further down the rabbit hole we go. Here is where dissension among friends and family happen. Discord and dissension breed mistrust and where there is mistrust among people, there lies division. We cannot afford division. I have faith that as a nation, we care enough collectively to help impact change.

I have faith that this nation collectively gives a damn enough to impart change. Joe Biden is now President-Elect, and all of humanity depends on his presidency.

Similar Read: Should Biden’s VP be a Black Woman?

Detroit Police Officer: “They Want Blood”

by with 2 Comments CultureFeatured

It’s a tough time to be in law enforcement. Police officers rarely weigh in and tell you what they think. And if they do, it’s off the record. Below is a Detroit Police Officer’s thoughts in response to a recent article discussing a young Black male being fatally shot by police after he opened fire on an officer in close range and attempted to flee.

The body cam footage is graphic, and many are calling it a justified shooting.

Officer’s Profile… (Black male / 27 years old / 4 years experience / married with two kids / resides in the city of Detroit):

“Was it or was it not a good shooting as in justified? He tried to kill a cop and wasn’t even the focus of the investigation. You know it’s aggravating that my people call me names, spit at me, and don’t appreciate what we do. But on that same block a week earlier, 8 people shot, 3 of the 8 are dead, and no 1 batted an eye. We shoot someone who shot at us first and we are vilified. I leave my house every day knowing I may not come home at night for people who don’t care about me. My mayor runs the city like a business. I love him dearly but at the same time, I want to feel appreciated for what we do. Day in and day out, the Chief crucifies us. This is the first time he’s stood behind us out the gate. The people of this city don’t want rationality, they want blood and a war for no reason. We don’t want to harm anyone… we want to make money and enjoy our lives. We are threatened on a day to day basis by the community that doesn’t trust us for things officers did in other states. Like honestly man, I wouldn’t mind walking away from this and only protecting my family and letting the criminals have the city. No1 says thank you. No1 says anything other than spit on the work we do.”

Referenced article: Brother of Hakim Littleton speaks out, wants meeting with Detroit city officials

Similar Read: Professional Fear

Breonna

by with One Comment CultureFeaturedRace Relations

Blank.

Injuries: None

Forced Entry: No

Blank

Blank

A black woman was murdered by a team of police officers in Louisville, KY while she was asleep over 90 days ago. What you have just read is the sum of the police report filed by the precinct after that incident. 

We now know that, according to Breonna’s mother, the boyfriend called her at some point during or after the ordeal, afraid to tell her Breonna was dead while the apartment was hit with a hail of bullets by unannounced officers trying to serve a search warrant, not realizing they were in the wrong apartment. Her mom rushed to the apartment complex in the middle of the night and recalls she was sent to the hospital by an officer on the scene telling her that “the ambulance with the girl” was already on its way. 

She waited… 2 hours… to be told that there was no record of anybody by that name at said hospital. When she returned and was able to speak to a detective who, after waiting a few more hours, asked her if Breonna had any enemies, or if she and her boyfriend did drugs, or were having any relationship problems – ya know, typical “black issues” that could later become an alibi for the police. They. Tried. To frame. A sleeping. Woman. For her own. Death. 

Sidebar: The past couple of months have caused me to personally reassess several areas of my life and the world around me. Where do I go from here and how do I address this “new normal” during a worldwide pandemic that is snatching the lives of black and brown people at astonishing rates because research is never done on how pain and diseases affect OUR bodies. While the higher-profile deaths of more black men AND women at the hands of officers, and those pretending to be law enforcement have made me feel inept in other ways. The perceived value and worth of a black body in 2020 seems to be less than the ⅗ of a human being that we were once offered. I was feeling like I needed to crawl deeper into my safe space in order to preserve my own existence. And then a friend, a black man in my community offered these words of unsolicited encouragement that became the elevator and awakening that I didn’t know I needed to hear: “thank you to you, and all women of color, who have always taken on the black man’s issues without even batting an eye. And we as black men haven’t always been there to protect you and say thank you. So for all men let me say thank you. You and the rest of black women don’t have to do what you do.” This diatribe, this tribute, though mere words over a quarantined distance, is what all black women need to hear from black men daily- if not several times a day- to begin filling the ditches dug in our souls. Beginning with the watery graves of the revolting slaves, who preferred to jump to their deaths in the Atlantic Ocean rather than be a slave in the new world. 

As we stand at the time of this article being published, the officers have yet to be arrested or held accountable for Breonna Taylor’s death, as if she was just collateral damage on a call-gone-wrong. A bullet hole in a wall, or door broken down, furniture flipped over. As a black woman, I am left literally speechless and in shock. What am I to make of any of this? How can anyone justify an ambush- a murder- in this way? Thank you, king, for delivering a statement that reminds me of my priceless contribution to this earth, because some days I truly wonder… Is it that, in this big, wide world, to some people black women are just…

Blank?

Similar Read: Are We Surprised?

Guyger Found Guilty, and We’re Shocked

by with No Comment CultureFeatured

“It was unreasonable — she should’ve known she was in the wrong apartment … that is garbage.” – Assistant District Attorney’s comments about Amber Guyger’s testimony 

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer, who shot and killed Botham Jean after entering his apartment, was convicted of murder. And people are shocked. Not because she didn’t deserve to be convicted, but because so often when the victim is black or brown, and the murderer deserves to be convicted, they’re often acquitted and allowed to return to their normal everyday lives. People are so used to seeing people literally get away with murder, that when the person is convicted they have to pause and reflect on how good justice feels. When you’re conditioned for a certain result or outcome, you’re taken aback when that result is different, especially when the expected result is negative.

When the verdict was announced, we heard stories of people taking a moment from work to cry, to call their close friends, and just rejoice that for once justice was reached when in similar cases it’s usually not. And that’s unfortunate, yet that’s the reality and culture of the criminal justice system in America. Acquittals are expected when the defendant suggests they were in “fear of their life.” That seems to be the go-to line for all murderers, especially when the victim is black, brown, and unarmed. Can’t blame them, because it works. No matter the evidence or who escalated it… even when it’s egregious like George Zimmerman playing neighborhood cop and following Trayvon Martin despite the dispatcher telling him not to. Entering someone’s apartment and then crying wolf after you murder them falls along the same lines of bizarre and extremely odd, but unlike Zimmerman, Guyger was found guilty. 

Botham Jean is never coming back, and that’s a tragedy. But at least this time his family and community can find solace in the fact that justice was served in the form of a conviction.

Similar Read: Antwon Rose 

Kareem Hunt and the Power of Belief

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

The short story, “The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether” by Edgar Allan Poe, appeared in the November 1845 issue of Graham’s Magazine. Most literaries wouldn’t cite it as one of their favorites, but it did produce one of the most famous cliche lines ever… “Believe nothing you hear and only one half that you see.” That line was delivered by the head of a private hospital for the mentally ill, which also happens to be the setting of the story. Simply, he was referring to the gossip of others. The head of the institution attempts to place wisdom into one of the patients who is unsure of who to trust and what to believe because of gossip in the hospital.

A combination of opinions, bias, fear, and a host of other elements play into who and what we believe… and the recent Kareem Hunt incident is no different. 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard and/or seen the viral video of Kansas City Chiefs star running back Kareem Hunt shoving and then attempting to kick a woman in a hotel hallway. There should be no debate on what we all saw in the video… but… like with everything else, what some believe will determine the fate of Mr. Hunt and if he should ever be allowed to play in the NFL again. 

For a long time, major historical events have been captured on film. Viewing historical events creates takeaways, takeaways generally aligned with preconceived notions and beliefs. When belief is placed ahead of facts and logic, the results can be terrifying. Not sure what I’m referring to? Well let’s go down memory lane and look at a few historical events in which the video recording clearly showed one thing, yet the aftermath and subsequent events did not fall in line with the recording. 

  • Rodney King beating by five members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The 1991 video recording still wasn’t enough to convict the police officers of excessive force. The jury did not believe the five White officers used race when factoring in the beating of King, instead of following LAPD protocols. 
  • From the mid-1990s until the end of the 2000s, the United Nations sent weapons experts to inspect and determine if Iraq had any weapons of mass destruction. Despite numerous reports AND video recordings of the inspectors showing no signs of active production of weapons of mass destruction, the George W Bush Administration double-downed on its belief that Iraq was linked to sponsoring terrorism against the United States and that it would provide terrorist organizations WMD’s, thus justifying an invasion of Iraq. Thousands of lives lost, billions of dollars spent, and many many many years later, NO such WMD’s have ever been found.
  • We’ve seen this countless times before with police shootings, and the all lives matter crowd famously pushing back with “we weren’t there” and “we don’t know all the facts yet.” Responses designed to circumvent the racial elements in questionable police shootings and to uphold the belief that if the person would have obeyed commands, stated their blood type, and recited the alphabet backward… the victim would still be alive today.

As we can see, those with the ability to control the outcome of incidents will do so to favor and confirm their beliefs. 

Now back to Hunt… 

The video showing Hunt assaulting a woman drums up the infamous Ray Rice video in which he assaulted his then fiancé in a casino elevator. After the offseason altercation with his fiancé, Ray Rice started the following season suspended; however, during his suspension, the casino elevator video was leaked by TMZ. The imagery of Ray Rice knocking out his fiancé was too much to be unseen, and Rice never played in the NFL again. That video forever changed the consequences of domestic violence in all sports, a change welcomed by all if applied appropriately.

Hunt’s fate is still unknown at this point; however, the circumstances should be viewed differently. Hunt’s assault wasn’t domestic, which isn’t and shouldn’t be viewed the same. Hunt’s assault was the result of racial slurs from the woman who also attempted to strike him. The suspension and release of Hunt from the Kansas City Chiefs right after the video leaked is valid. Having consequences for conduct unbecoming of a professional athlete is warranted and necessary. However, the beliefs and preconceived notions behind seeing a 5’11 200-pound Black man striking a 5’3 135-pound White woman is one that will probably place longer and harsher punishment on Hunt than it should. Hunt deserves punishment of some sort, and after such punishment, he should be allowed to play in the NFL again, obviously with strict guidelines regarding his off-field behavior. Anything more than that is a slap in the face of fairness.

Where Are the Stun Guns?

by with 2 Comments Uncategorized

Not tasers. Not rubber bullets. Not tranquilizer darts. Not mace. Not anything we have seen before.

Where is the weapon that can effectively incapacitate its target without lethality? What brilliant mind is developing this revolutionary defense mechanism that could save millions of lives (and earn millions of dollars)?

Let me be specific: this is a weapon that can paralyze, immobilize, or knock unconscious its target without killing them. To my knowledge, it doesn’t exist yet.

If such a weapon existed, here are some of the enormous societal problems it could alleviate:

  1. Home Security. Many families are reluctant to have a gun in their home because of the danger it poses to children or even negligent adults. A stun gun would be a safe home defense tool that would at most knock out an intruder. The worst misuse would be an accidental, unintentional shooting of the self or another; but since no deaths would occur, the damage would be only temporary and not permanently traumatizing to a family or community.
  2. School Safety. Every teacher could have a stun gun without fear of causing unintended mortal damage to someone at the school. The weapon could be like a fire extinguisher: “Break glass in case of emergency.” The penalty for abuse of the stun gun would be severe, possibly a federal crime. But once again, the worst case scenario is that someone is rendered immovable for a time; not killed or permanently injured. Unfortunately, even an armed security guard might be too incapacitated (or cowardly) to stop an attack, so stun guns would offer a last line of defense for teachers or even for students in the worst case scenarios.
  3. Police Shootings. For every nefariously motivated murder by a bad apple in the police force, there are dozens of good officers who shoot innocent victims out of fear or immediate safety concerns. A stun gun would allow police to shoot first and ask questions later if they felt their safety was at high risk. If this weapon truly was non-lethal, then the worst that could happen is that a police officer immobilizes an innocent person until all fear of imminent danger is gone. Much like improper arrests warrant lawsuits against officers who abuse their power, likewise a citizen could sue for damages if unjustifiably stunned. However messy the legal and financial entanglements, no human lives would be forever lost in such a case.
  4. Robbery and Assault. Stores and Businesses that are subject to being looted could carry this much safer defense option (vs. a shotgun) that could deter or at least give pause to potential criminals. Also, individuals who are walking alone in dangerous places could feel a stronger sense of security knowing that they have the means to protect themselves against assault or robbery.
  5. Most people have an innate, fundamental aversion to killing another human being. This has been proven in studies about war and the large number of soldiers who purposely fire up or down instead of straight ahead to avoid causing the death of even a hated enemy. A stun gun allows a person to take action against another human being in extreme circumstances without hesitancy on account of this aversion to killing, knowing that a K.O. is the worst possible outcome.

If developed, this stun gun would obviously not solve all of the problems mentioned above. But I would be curious to see how anyone from either side of the current debates about gun control and the 2nd Amendment would take issue with such an invention.

My intention with this article is not to take sides or discuss the merits of opposing ideologies. I am simply pushing this idea out into the ether in hopes that a more qualified mind than mine can bring it to fruition.

Sometimes, the solutions to our gravest and largest dilemmas in civil society today are not exclusively A or  B; but they are the yet-to-be-invented C.

I don’t know what this weapon will ultimately look like or entail, but I leave the matter up to the ingenuity of our world’s best and brightest. We have microchips, nuclear power, and space exploration… bring on the stun guns. 

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