The Road Doesn't End Here

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Who else has to die? What else has to happen? Where else does there have to be a tragedy? When will enough be enough? Why does it take a tragedy to be in an uproar? How many mothers have to scream in agony at the loss of a child?

The verdict came out in Ferguson and no one was shocked by it. Ironically, if the verdict had of come out the other way it would have been more surprising. 

There is one huge problem with all of this. Where were we before it happened?

Here's the thing. This is not our first dance with injustice. This is not the first time someone innocent has died at the hands of police. 

We are not in the 1900's or before when our black men/boys were taken out of homes in the middle of the night and strung up. We are not in the middle of the civil rights movement getting attacked by police and dogs. We are not on some plantation being stripped of our dignity and having families torn apart.

This is 2014 people. Wake up and take a deep look in the mirror.

Our ancestors fought and died for the chance that we may speak up and be free of oppression. Our ancestors fought and died so that we could raise our children to be strong and respect themselves. Our ancestors fought and died for the opportunity to vote, get an education, have positions of power and influence. Our ancestors fought and died so that we could stand up for ourselves and each other.

We are just as responsible for Mike Brown's death as the police officer who pulled the trigger. 

Where were we when our young black boys are killing one another over the stupidest things? Where were we when our kids are disrespecting teachers rather than getting an education? Where were we when our young girls are exploiting themselves and their bodies for all to see? Where were we when the crack house in our neighborhood is thriving? Where were we when our girls are fighting in the street like animals? Where were we when instead of a peaceful protest, people are looting and burning down property?

We give these people a reason to treat us like trash. We give them the ammunition to think our lives are less than theirs. We give them a free pass to belittle us. 

They don't respect us because we don't respect ourselves or each other.

They belittle us because we belittle ourselves and belittle each other.

They treat us like trash because we treat each other like trash.

They believe our lives our worthless because we treat each other like our lives are worthless.

You wanna have civil unrest? Do it in every scenario. 

The best way to show these people that our lives are worth something is to act like it.

We get on social media every day to talk about everything but the things that matter. We have the tools and resources to make a difference in our communities and in the way we are viewed. All we have to do is take a chance.

It is up to us to be better. It is up to us to be wiser. It is up to us to create a better scenario.

If you don't get involved there is no one to blame but yourself. Don't point the finger because there are always three fingers pointing back at you. 

If the revolution is not televised than it is up to us to make sure everyone gets the news. If the revolution is not televised than we must tell our friends, family, and neighbors to take a stand. If the revolution is not televised than it is up to us to create a positive forum to make a change. If the revolution is not televised than we must take a chance and be heard.

Never forget where you come from. Never forget how we got here. Never forget who you are.

We're come from dirt roads to paved streets. We've come from illiteracy to scholarships. We've come from tending the big house to running the white house.

We have come far but our journey is not over. Ignorance may be bliss but there is no bliss in not knowing if you could be killed just for walking down the street.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Brown's family and all the families who have suffered at the hands of police. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the mothers who have had to bury a child due to senseless violence. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is innocently behind bars. My thoughts and prayers go out to you in the hope that you will come out of the shadows and be a part of the light that needs to shine on our communities.