Rest In Power
- Inversed Poet
- Sep 29, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 1, 2020
2020 has been one of the most terrifying, eye-opening, and devastating years for many families and communities. It has been and continues to be a year that no longer begs for change but demands it. It no longer allows a blind eye to be turned, it stays persistent until heard and recognized.
This article is long over-due but whenever it’s time to write about the need for systematic and social change or write my condolences to affected families, there is yet another incident. There is yet another name to add to the hashtag #saytheirname, it is yet another crime against humanity where the victim is blamed, and the perpetrator is granted little to no punishment.
Reader, please understand that what you are experiencing on the news, such as the riots and marches are the efforts of those that are tired of the bloodshed and those tired of the unnecessary force set upon black, brown, and minority lives from the very people and system designed to serve and protect. We are tired of being portrayed as beasts that are feared and must be killed before we can cause harm.
The narrative in the media must change but the bigger issue is the very foundations this country was built on. Racism is one of the many building blocks of this great nation, it can be defined as prejudice plus power. Colorism, a hierarchy based on skin tone, and stereotypes, are relatives of racism that allows one racial group to assume superiority over another and create false narratives of black and brown people. Such as, we are dangerous, violent, and a threat to society.
Such narratives have stemmed from the era of slavery, segregation, and Jim crow and they have allowed for continuous denial and disregard of black and brown people's humanity. How America feels about there Black and Brown citizens has been made crystal clear by the stereotypes and false narratives that are being perpetuated throughout police and civilian interactions and arrest. The message is clear in those who deny the fact that this country’s policies for and treatment of black and brown people must change, and those who remain silent in the fight for social justice.
The message is also clear in any individual who thinks that death is reasonable and the only solution when approached, arrested, or stopped by the police. These crimes against humanity are often followed by suspended leave with/without pay, no jail time, or little to no charges. These types of depictions and incidents in the media have confused many to believe that racial and police violence is okay and there will not be any consequences when the “perpetrator” is black.
Do you disagree? George Floyd died in police custody when an officer kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and forty-six seconds on March 25, 2020. His killer was not arrested until March 29, 2020, and the remaining three officers were arrested on June 3, 2020. Click the image to view more information on the Floyd case and its outcome. Click <<here>> for the ABC's News coverage.
The lack of convictions and charges brought against the perpetrators responsible for the outrageous number of crimes against humanity paints a clear picture that black and brown lives do not matter.
Another unfortunate example is the case of Breonna Taylor. During a drug raid of Taylor's apartment, three officers, Jonathan Mattingly, Myles Cosgrove, and Brett Hankinson performed a no-knock warrant. However, the no-knock warrant was changed to a knock and announce, the man they were searching for lived somewhere else and had been arrested hours earlier, and lastly, Hankinson blindly fired ten rounds from outside the apartment. With this evidence, justice should have been quick, yet, in the indictment announced on September 23, 2020, only one of the three officers, Brett Hankinson, involved in the shooting was indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment charges. The other two officers were not indicted meaning none of the officers were charged for the killing of Breonna Taylor. The ballistics report found that out of the six bullets that struck Ms. Taylor, one was fatal. The fatal shot came from Detective Myles Cosgrove. The Top prosecutor in the case states that both Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove had been "justified to protect themselves”. With both Mattingly and Myles still employed and the lack of indictment in the case, outrage, protests, and marches erupted across the nation and in downtown Louisville declaring"No Justice! No Peace!"
For more information click one of the links below.
Police and racial violence have claimed the lives of many and continues to plague our country. To view some of our fallen and their stories, click the image below.
Regardless of what you may think or what you have heard, life and death must be respected. We must carry love in our hearts not hate. We must protect one another and respect our differences if we ever truly wish for peace and equality amongst ourselves. Educate yourself on the wrongs of our history and speak out against them now.
Rest In Power to the young men and women taken way before their time.
Rest In Power to the scholars, high school students, graduates, and soon to be graduates.
Rest In Power to the Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Brothers, and Sisters.
Rest In Power to ALL Lives lost to police and racial violence.
I send my deepest condolences and prayers to the families and friends that have lost a loved one. Thank you for reading. Keep open Ear, Eyes, & Mind 'Till Next Time.
~Sources~
>>>https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/weekend-protest-give-some-glimmer-hope/rkKDFy9IdD6EeF04fDciXL/
>>>https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/15-ways-to-support-social-justice-civil-rights?gclid=CjwKCAjw2dD7BRASEiwAWCtCb9SQa3jKmytqIC1uoRwz3pNixjWvJahDKZ6AOdDsQYLDfDbYpnXKJRoCK-sQAvD_BwE
>>>https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/26/breonna-taylor-decision-unanswered-questions-daniel-cameron-grand-jury/3548920001/
I loved how you concluded the piece , you reminded people to keep love in their hearts not hate and inspired the ignorant to educate themselves and speak out against injustice. I believe as long as people keep speaking out true change and be achieved, slowly but surely. Rest in power to all that have lost their lives to police brutality and condolences to their families. Their names will not be forgotten.
As long as their some form of govt. Over the people to "help" the people, they'll always be oppressed. We as individuals just have a different definition to peace, violence, offense, consequence. It's just brought to light when an action is carried out to show the imbalance.