I sit here thinking about the lives of young African-American men, my grandsons, nephews or innocent bystanders who can become a victim of a senseless murder at a moment’s notice. I ponder on how to stop these senseless crimes and murders by men chosen to protect and serve our community.
While I know for a fact there are good police officers protecting our city, there are yet a handful of officers who should be released from their duties without pay or who actually should be in jail.
We advocate for police body cameras, but when we have video of wrongful actions it can be dissected and used to justify nonsense. I prayed St. Louis would be a city willing to stand up for justice and finally say if any police officer abuses his powers he will be found guilty. However, we heard the words of a judge who will retire in a few months saying this police officer is not guilty on all charges and that an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an “anomaly.”
We can no longer tolerate our laws to be violated by those put in charge to serve and protect. All lives matter, but society shows us the continued need for the Black Lives Matter movement. Inequality and injustice exist. Just look around, and open your eyes and ears. It exists in schools, health care, housing, employment and in the different neighborhoods within our city.
We need to stop looking at the color of skin and putting profits over people. We need to find ways to encourage and support each other. Even a baby knows right from wrong.
Have you ever wondered how so many drugs and guns get into our neighborhoods? Why are our jails full and so many of our schools abandoned? I know people are hurting, hearts are broken, families torn. It’s sad. We have officers living more prosperous in other places after they have committed murder and left our city even more frustrated and alienated by their injustices.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. The 1st Amendment gives us the right to free speech and to assemble peaceably. However, the sentence for theft, vandalism, jaywalking, possession, illegal distribution or fleeing pursuit should not be murder.
Let’s wake up! Pray for one another. Treat others as you want to be treated. Walk worthy of God. Use your voice and your vote for change. Stand against racism, inequality and injustice. We all bleed red, and want quality of life.
