With the announcement that Officer Darren Wilson will not be facing charges in the wake of the killing of Mike Brown this past August, social media erupted in a firestorm of debate and antagonism. Many are voicing their opinions on the matter, and revealing how deeply-entrenched racism is in our culture; and also how ill-informed most American citizens are about how racism operates and how it is ingrained in our system.
But some people are just saying dumb things. Here are five of the dumbest things you will continue to hear today:
5. YOU DON’T SEE WHITE PEOPLE TEARING UP THEIR COMMUNITIES WHEN THEY’RE MAD
But you do. White people rioted in St. Louis when Guns N Roses ended a show early, they rioted in Penn State to support Joe Paterno’s protection of a pedophile, they rioted in Vancouver to “celebrate” a Stanley Cup win, they rioted at Pumpkinfest in New Hampshire last month. And if you want to go back further, in the early 20th century, they rioted in Atlanta when black people started making too much money and they rioted in Tulsa for the same reasons. And they would riot today, too, if there were six OJ Simpsons in a span of two months. When the system protects your interest, there’s rarely a reason to be that outraged. O.J.’s acquittal was an anomaly, Darren Wilson’s non-indictment is business-as-usual.
4. ARE YOU READY TO DIE FOR YOUR PEOPLE?
In what regard? Black folks die violently in America every day, but too many people are enamored with martyrdom to the point where they have no real idea of why it would ever be necessary. The Black Panthers fortified their communities and armed themselves for defense. We shouldn’t advocate for “laying down our lives” just because it seems badass. Break out of the oversimplified “Malcolm vs. Martin” box and recognize that you need thinkers as much as you need soldiers, perhaps more.
3.BUT DID YOU VOTE?
Does voting stop police brutality? Of course, you can vote against politicians who support police policy, but if you are in a minority, what is the likelihood that there will be enough votes to oust that cop-loving politician? If you’re a Black Democrat in a municipality that is dominated by white Republicans, it seems like voting can’t be the ultimate solution on this particular issue. And bringing it up in times out of civil unrest is an attempt to silence justifiable outrage.
2. NOT ALL COPS ARE BAD
And not all young Black people are gang banging thugs. But the cops are allowed to make the kinds of sweeping generalizations that put innocent Black people in coffins because their “lives are on the line.” Well, it seems that Black peoples’ lives are on the line, as well. So it would behoove the Black community to view every police officer as a state sanctioned executioner and operate accordingly. Whether that be avoidance or defense, be on your guard.
1. THIS IS WHAT WE ALWAYS DO, GET MAD AND GO BACK TO DOING NOTHING
Well, if you were really paying attention, Mr. Holier-Than-Thou Cynic, you would know that people have been “doing” quite a lot. Ever since the Trayvon Martin shooting in 2012, and even before that, if you count the Troy Davis execution, people have been organizing and rallying to raise awareness against police brutality and hate crimes across America. The only reason most of America even knows the names of these victims like Mike Brown, Renisha McBride and Jordan Davis is because these people have never let up. There are mostly young people on the ground, doing the work and rallying social media behind them. While you wait for some big “event,” they are out there getting their hands dirty. Acknowledge and respect, or admit what you don’t do.
