*Deep sigh* I’m sad.
I’m sad because another AND ANOTHER black man has lost his
life to the police.
I’m sad because so many in my communities are killing each
other and as much as try to do in the community I often feel like I have not
done enough.
I’m sad because special care will need to be taken to raise
my nephew as he will grow to become a black man.
I’m sad that from a young age, I was aware that extremely
special care needs given when raising a black man.
I’m sad that 5 people who vowed to protect and serve won’t
go home to their families because they were doing just that.
I’m sad because, I have “friends” who are telling me to get
over it or teach them to follow the law. And today, right now, in this moment, that
make me the saddest. Let me put some of this in the perspective I would
possibly share with children.
We have a little boy on the playground at recess chewing
gum. Chewing gum is against playground rules. A safety patrol kid comes up to
the little boy and yells “Hey spit out that gum!” And pushes the boy to ground.
The boy gets upset because he pushed and the safety patrol jumps on top of him
and starts to punch and kick the boy. Naturally the boy fights back but
eventually loses the fight because the safety patrol is more powerful. Other
safety patrols on the playground watch and say nothing. Other children watch
and say nothing. Some children become afraid of the safety patrols. Some
children rush to the boy’s side and start to want help for the little boy who
can’t get up from the ground. The safety patrol “Hey, my nose is bleeding! I
need help too!” His friends help him to the nurse and thank him for “keeping
them safe”. The little boy is still lying on the ground. A few others come to
the boy’s aid including a few other safety patrols who feel horrible and may
speak to that other safety patrol later and some go and comfort the kids scared
and crying from what they just witnessed. Some kids run to the principal’s
office and request that safety patrol loose his badge. Some kids go on about their recess swinging
and playing like nothing was wrong. One kid can be heard saying, “Stupid kid,
he shouldn’t have been chewing gum!” while sharing gum with his/her friends as
they play on the monkey bars.
I have shared similar stories with my children as we discuss
bullying. And what they should do if they should see another child being bullied. I have an open
discussion with them where they see themselves in that story and where they
should be or want their friends to be if they were bullied.
So I’ll do the same with my adult friends, I’ll ask you the
same thing. Which kid are you?
Hopefully this cause some self-reflection in us all.
Unfortunately, this is to be continued…
*Wipes tears*
