“I can’t breathe!”
When the video of Eric Garner’s murder first surfaced I could not get through the video. I’ve seen the beginning parts a few more times, but I can’t seem to make it through his actual last moments. I heard the screams, I saw the multiple officers around him, and I saw his hands up in surrender. Anyone could see that he was struggling and the forced used on him was unnecessary. The news that Daniel Pantaleo would not be indicted broke my heart and the hearts of many people that understand the racial disparities in this country. While people were/are still settling from the lack of justice for Michael Brown, this verdict crept upon us. For me, it added another level of somberness and a bit of hopelessness. The value of Black men in this country is heartbreaking. Time and time again it shows that Black men are almost in their own subculture of humanity. The stories of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Oscar Grant hit so close to home because there are Black men in my life that I love. I have a father, step-father, brothers, cousins, uncles, and friends. As a Black woman, I may experience racism but most times, I don’t have to worry about police brutality. There have been a couple of times where I questioned a police officer and knew that their was little chance I would be physically handled. As a Black woman I am fully aware of this privilege.
“I don’t have a gun. Stop shooting!”
Continue reading “On Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, and Black Men That I Love”
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