Fast - forward to the recent, and even not so recent incidents that have been crippling the African American community, and here I stand on MY platform ready to tell it just how I see it. For the lack of better words I am completely OUTRAGED, and quite frankly PISSED THE HELL OFF! Not just because I am black but, tack on the fact that I believe in humanity and livelihood.
For so long, African American people have been beat down and oppressed. The behaviors of others, particularly of the caucasian persuasion have been excused. But why all the hate? Because we possess the culture and pizazz that many of them mimic? Or because we can hustle cd's for a living? Because we too can be educated and eloquent? Or maybe because we advocate for ourselves when we feel attacked or belittled? Whatever the reason, it needs to STOP.
As an African American woman, I am often received as being " MAD" or " Bitchy " when in fact, I am merely offended! I am offended by the treatment that is being bestowed upon me. I am offended by the fear that has been pumped into me by the authorities, people who I am supposed to be able to trust. I am offended by the lack of respect that others some times seem to have for me as not only a Strong Black Woman but as a delicate human being.
Now this is not to say that all White people are the oppressor, in fact I know of a few that are equally as offended as I am. Luckily for them though, they don't have to be scared to be black so this isn't even about them. This also is not to say that all Black people are always right because, I am sure there are some instances where an African American person was completely non compliant or provoking. But, I do stand here to speak out, and make my voice heard. This is VERY MUCH a BLACK AND WHITE THING. There, I said it.
To play devils advocate for just a moment, African Americans today are completely faddish, we tend to not stand for much of anything anymore except for about a week and then we move on to the next thing. We don't volunteer with our youth enough, and set good examples as much as we know that we can. So, I challenge you today to come up with something that you can do to make a change be it big or small or whether you are black, white or purple. Because, even though we all know #blacklivesmatter we have to get the point across in a positive and impactful manner. And, we must do so even when the police haven't taken one of us during that week. ~ Johntae
