I live in a world where I am constantly being reminded that my life is not valued. The bodies and souls of African Heritage people are being violated on a regular basis. How can not just one, but a dozen men to arrested, incarcerated, put on trial for murder, and threatened with a life sentence for album art? There is not a single shred of evidence to suggest that they killed anyone, nor that they are members of a gang, but they are in prison.
Yet, Johannes Mehserle shot Oscar Grant in the back while he laid handcuffed, face down on a BART platform. He did it in front of hundreds of witnesses and it was broadcasted via social media for the world to see. It wasn't until there was public outrage that he was arrested. He was found not guilty of second degree murder and only guilty of involuntary manslaughter. He ultimately served less than two years in prison for MURDERING Oscar Grant. But these men are facing life for a picture.
George Zimmerman stalked, harassed, and fought Trayvon Martin before shooting and killing him. He was acquitted of murdering the young boy. He's walking around free while Trayvon never got to see his 18th birthday.
I could go on for days. With John Crawford III, Mike Brown, Jordan Davis, Renishia McBride, Darius Simmons, Aiyanna Jones, Ezell Ford, Levar Jones, Rekia Boyd, Gary King Jr,. Miriam Carey, Pearlie Golden, Amadou Diallo, and Yvette Smith I see the same sickening trend.
White people, mostly publicly funded authorities, KILL Black people for no reason. Most times, they are not arrested nor charged until there is public pressure and backlash. So people like Darren Wilson have been living comfortably for MONTHS after committing murder. There is sound evidence that he is a murderer, but he's relaxing on public pensions. There is NO evidence to tie Duncan and a dozen other men to these 9 murders, nor to say that they are a gang, but they have to wait in prison. What's wrong with this picture?
And even when the masses try to hold these murderers accountable through the judicial system, they are let off. Moreover, these victims of homicide are further criminalized! Through the media and court proceedings, the names of my sisters and brothers are slandered while people try to make the case that they are somehow responsible for AND deserving of their murders. Ain't that barbaric?
I'm not making this up. Research these names. Take time to learn about these stories.
So to live in a world where this racist murders occur on a regular and are seldom taken serious by the "court of law," in conjunction with seeing bogus trials like this...
It's is literally a slap on the face. It's literally a whip on the back. It's another reminder that regardless of how many "advancements" the world has made, despite the "diversity" that exist, in light of "progress" towards a "post racial society" (that whole concept is problematic in and of itself,) my life and lives of people like me don't matter.
Now I know that's a straight lie. People of African Descent are some of the most resilient, beautiful, innovative, and hard-working humans to ever walk this earth. So while this is yet another disheartening insult to both my herstory and existence, it is also a call to action. It's a reminder that my work will never be done.
But it's a beautiful struggle. For the sake of my life, the oppression of my ancestors, and the optimism I have for the future, I have to boldly and unapologetically advocate for the rights that God have me a long time ago.
-Africa Oakland Speaks
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