Like many families this week, we were having a discussion about
the two African-American men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile who were gunned down by police
officers, the despicable acts captured on video and streaming over social
media. And then the subsequent act of vigilantism where a young black man allegedly
ambushed and shot ten police officers in Dallas, Texas in retaliation.
Remembering back when I was a little girl and my
father owned a business in the community where he often encountered black
boys and young black men, many who had no father, I recalled how he would advise them on
how to behave whenever encountering the police. I remember him telling them to
always ensure their hands could be seen. To keep their fingers wrapped around the steering wheel if
they were in a car. To hold them, palms open, high above their heads if they were on the
street. I remember his admonishments to always be respectful, “Yes, sir! No,
sir.” To comply with whatever was asked of them. To verbally announce any
movement they intended to make before making it – “Officer, may I reach for my
wallet?” I remember him saying that they would feel threatened and violated but
that their end goal was to walk away from the encounter alive and able to tell the
story.
I watched my father and my godfather execute these
actions many times when they themselves were stopped by police. Two affluent
black men with homes in white, middle-class neighborhoods. Two educated black men
with their own businesses. Two responsible black men known, active, and visible
in the community. I remembered the lessons and I told my own sons, often, what
my father had told so many others.
I asked him, after the events this week, where one
young black man did everything right and was still gunned down. In cold blood.
Executed. Murdered. What do we tell them now when they do comply? When they do what
they’re supposed to do and they are still killed? In cold blood. Executed. Murdered. What else are they supposed to do now? And what
do we say to young black boys and men who are angry? And frustrated? Who want justice? And to be treated fairly, with respect? Men who
feel emasculated and out of control? What do we tell them now?
After a moment of pause, he said, “We are in some
seriously dark times. We all need to be praying. And black men now, more than
ever, still need to protect themselves and their families, by any means necessary. They need to insure
they can walk away, alive, and able to tell the story. So, tell them to pray.
To listen with their hearts before acting in haste and rage. To pray for
guidance and resolution. Now, more than ever, tell them to pray.”
Comments