Riots & Racism: From Video to Pen

It started years ago, but it finally reared its ugly head on Sunday, May 31, 2020 when I saw a video of two African American college students being subjected to policemen crowding around their car, bashing out the windows, pulling on them as if trying to wrangle a bull, and finally tasing them then yanking them from the vehicle.

I sat in tears, enraged, but sadly, not in disbelief, and I decided to give my brief input. And I will give delve into detail here.

See, this country is on its ongoing roller-coaster of “revelation and revolutions.” This nation tends to teeter and totter between building the foundation for change versus only painting the picture of change. [Please read that again.]

People in leadership positions are there to put in motion the ideas that support its constituents. They bring voice to what we wish to see, or so it should be. Unfortunately, what this nation is showing minorities (especially African-Americans) is that, “We can show you what the United States is to represent; however; we're going to put limits on it, because you are not in that picture of what we want the United States to represent." “Disheartening” doesn’t even begin to embrace how some of us feel. I, being a mother, African-American, single, minutely educated, and fearfully raising African American children who are naturally targeted because of their skin color, am unraveled at the core and demand to not only SEE true justice but intend to INSIGHT a true “justice system.”

Images of my brothers, my sisters, my parents, my cousins, my children-- US --being pinned to the ground, strung up from trees, provoked and taunted, restricted, then muzzled or censored and having it justified by those who thrive in a nation that was built on the backs of our ancestors and quenched with their sweat and blood. What does it give us in terms of Hope, in terms of Trust, and in terms of Support as a minority? I can guarantee you that it illuminates the premise of everything this nation truly represents. Never-ending greed, jealousy, anger, and inhumanity that is the result of an awkward group of people wanting to use others up for their skill-set, imitate their natural beauties, only to dispose of them like (ironically) trash. In actuality, we understand that we are not trash, but treasure, simply trying to live in an undeserving society.

Although I do not condone vandelism, violence, hatred, and the like, I do know that past revolutions-- PIVOT-POINTS OF CHANGE -- are what shaped and guided us to who we are and where we are as a people today. That said, it appears that African Americans have turned the left and right cheeks one too many times and are swinging around with a left and right hook.

The tears still flow heavily. The scars are still fresh. But, the battle is far from over.

English S. Walker,

Freelance Writer | Mental Health Advocate | Soul-Motivator

Contact | Pro Profile  |  Campaign