Are you wondering (or even being asked), “Why are people still protesting?“
One person said to another (within earshot of a fellow activist), “Oh, it’s all because of the riots from last year,” as if that made even a lick of sense.
Others are saying, “Black people are angry for no reason but they don’t seem angry over black-on-black crime,” as if only blacks are in this fight. And that really does not even deserve a reply at this point in the movement. But I do think you should keep reading if you really believe that statement.
I’m here to share my reason for continuing to stand up against police brutality and make others aware. These are not back-alley, late at night, in areas of unknown situations – they’re happening right under our noses and at times, to those we know.
August 10 was Moral Monday (or, as some called it, Resistance Monday). A few actions were put together by local organizers, and a few by clergy who were willing to put themselves on the line to prove to others the church still cares about the downtrodden.
My Jesus wasn’t rich and fancy, looking down on the less fortunate. He was very much like the people who are treated so wrong now. I’m sure you’ve heard Matthew 25:45, where Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Sit still if you want, saints.
People of color are continuously being mistreated, rights withheld due to color of their skin, and justice not given over and over again. If you won’t stand for them, who do you expect to stand for you?
Police could shoot an unarmed man for a missing headlight, then put a mug shot and all his past irrelevant information across America’s media. And people say, “Oh, well, he did have a prior conviction. He must need to be killed.”
Or they could arrest a woman as she asks 10 times why she’s being arrested and the answer withheld. Then, through a course of nasty journalism and horrifying reporting, police and media will turn the victim into the villain by any means necessary. “She was angry. She should’ve been quiet. You know you aren’t supposed to ask police questions.”
Some are still struggling to see injustice. They don’t see suffering. They don’t see inequality. They don’t understand what any of this is about. It’s not about one isolated tragedy. That one tragedy may have hoisted me out of comfort and into the streets, but it’s not the one that keeps me here.
Ella Baker said, “We who believe in freedom will not rest until it comes.” And so people are standing in solidarity today, yesterday and tomorrow with those who are constantly treated as second-class citizens in our country.
How about: “But Tiffany, why are people shutting down highways? That’s why folks don’t like the protesters. They’re always causing traffic.”
I’ve done it before Moral Monday, on November 25, and I would do it again.
I understand it inconveniences people for a moment, but look at the bigger picture to see others are inconvenienced for life, often for no reason at all except an officer felt like it.
Step out of your comfort zone with how people are treated. It wasn’t you today, but could be you one day. Even Darren Wilson said he is not sorry for what happened. He feels completely justified in his actions because white supremacy cuddles him at night. He is one of several reasons we do this for Mike Brown.
On a weekly basis men, women, and children are being killed – more times than not – without probable cause. I only want police to do their job but within reason and within the law.
