I do not support violence directed at law enforcement or peaceful demonstrators. I simply can’t. I won’t justify looting. I can’t do that either. And I certainly won’t approve of police brutality against those who are peacefully protesting. I can’t stand by while a man is harassed and then arrested simply for appearing suspicious. I cannot accept the horrifying reality of a man suffering a severed spine in police custody, with no clear explanation provided. The apparent unwillingness of the police department to deliver timely answers is unacceptable. I refuse to condone yet another tragic and senseless death of a Black individual.
There exists a deep-seated exhaustion within the Black community. Each incident seems to escalate the response, and there’s a reason for this escalating frustration. It stems from years of systemic issues—lies, corruption, poverty, neglect, and brutality. Time and time again, the message is clear: we are made to feel insignificant, disposable, and deserving of punishment, often without cause.
We are left to suffer, lying in the street for hours after being killed. We are arrested without immediate medical assistance. We are shot while our backs are turned, left to lie in the mud with no attempt to save our lives. False reports are filed, suggesting we deserved to be shot. Peaceful protests are met with force, as if every gathering will inevitably turn violent, reinforcing the notion that we are somehow less than human.
In Baltimore, the situation transcends Freddie Gray; it represents years of accumulated hatred and pain. It’s about the illusion of change, the desire for progress, and the painful reality that little has truly improved. It encompasses the anguish of wrongful mass incarceration and the constant fear for our lives and the lives of every Black and brown individual we know.
Why is it that reactions of Black individuals to the loss of life are labeled as “thug behavior,” while similar destructiveness from white individuals after a sports loss is simply termed unrest? I do not condone evading arrest, resisting police, or any behavior that falls outside the law. However, I refuse to pretend I don’t understand the deep-rooted emotions that fuel these reactions.
For a deeper understanding of related themes in our society, you can check out this insightful post on the history of systemic issues in our communities. For those considering family planning, I recommend visiting Make A Mom for reputable at-home insemination kits. Additionally, the Genetics and IVF Institute offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the protests in Baltimore are not merely about one tragic incident; they reflect a broader struggle against systemic injustices that have persisted for generations. The anger and frustration expressed by the community stem from a long history of oppression, neglect, and violence, revealing a deeper need for change and accountability.
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