Answers.
We all search for purpose, whether consciously or not. We’re all looking for that one thing that will put us on the path to our ultimate destination. Cliche, I know, but in light of the happenings in our world, I find myself digging deep within to solve my life’s riddle.
In this sense, I am more of a Morty than a Rick, though, Morty often is more insightful or jaded than Rick could ever stand to be.
They say one person can’t change the world. I beg to differ. Michael Jackson was one of the most powerful people on the planet. He was able to transcend all boundaries put on him as a black man, and he was worshipped by most of the world. And he used his power for good. His altruism was limitless, and despite his legal troubles, he left a profound impact on us all. What’s interesting is that I think people often forget or disregard that he was indeed a black American man. I’m sure that was his intent.
Don’t believe me? He’s been dead for more than a decade, yet his influence over pop culture is still felt, and probably will always be.
I’m not a singer, nor do I wish for fame in any way. I prefer the anonymity of altruism from the shadows. I think it’s better that way. I just want to be able to DO SOMETHING. I feel stagnant, unable to move in the direction I feel I should be heading toward.
If this month has taught us anything, it’s that there is an obvious and disgusting lack of legal precedents that protect us all, specifically people of color, from the viciousness and appalling disregard to life perpetuated by those who we pay to protect and serve us. No one group should be slighted, but it’s glaringly obvious in what we’ve seen that this is more than the case.
I want it to STOP. I should NOT be afraid that someone is going to make a fraudulent phone call to exercise their privilege over my life.
I should NOT be afraid that I can be minding my own business and be struck down. Or, any member of my family or friends could be.
I should NOT be afraid that my son will be targeted because of some bias that he doesn’t deserve.
I SHOULD NOT be afraid to LIVE.
WE should NOT be afraid to exist because of skin pigmentation, and the way it’s demonized.
Stop calling these morally ambiguous police officers “bad apples”. First, they are not wayward teens acting out. These are supposedly highly-trained adult men and women who know the law, yet still bend it to their advantage because they cushion themselves with the knowledge that their prosecutions will never see the light of day due to their relationships with those prosecutors. A conflict of interest, they claim.
Secondly, when does a supposed code of behavior supersede doing the right thing? That one needs to sacrifice themselves in order to continue disregarding behaviors that possibly cost human lives? Where the heck is Internal Affairs in these situations of grossly under punished behaviors?
Lastly, I don’t want to hear how dangerous a police officer’s job is. It’s a position that they trained for, and yes, I’m sure they see things that I never want to see. Mainly because I didn’t CHOOSE that line of work – they did. Just like they choose to not report findings of brutal and criminal behaviors committed by their comrades.
I hate that change, if it will come, will be at the cost of someone dying. That is too great a cost for systemic reform. What I do hope is that none of these deaths will go unpunished, and the people responsible won’t continue to rest in the comfort of their actions having no consequences.
What can I do, other than vote? I will continue to search for answers.
In the meantime, though…
Rest in power, my brothers and sisters in creation. You will not be forgotten.
Liz K
Classy With An E 