A few years ago, I was teaching in a high school in South L.A. My students, all of whom were Black, Latino or mixed races, were asked to describe assumptions people make about them because of their race. Amongst many, typical stereotypes were named: That we dont go to college. That were lazy. That we go to jail. That were dangerous. Those stereotypes are exactly what allows for our children of color to be targeted and killed time and time again. Today, a 12 year old black child was killed by police officers. He had a toy gun. Imagine if he had blond hair, blue eyes and white skin. Would the officers have had racialized stereotypes that inculcated fear, violence and brutality, had that child been white? Had he been white, he likely would have been escorted home and his parents may have had a conversation with the officers on helping their child understand public safety, even when it comes to toy guns. Instead, the proverbial knock on that door was to tell #TamirRices parents that he will never be coming home. We can make excuses for officer judgment as many times as wed like for incidents like these. But the reality is there are so many of them when it comes specifically to the black reality that there is truly only one common, consistent, thread: color. And what races through a persons mind in a moment of potential fear as its related specifically to perceived race. Praying for justice for Tamir, Mike, Oscar, Trayvon, Renisha, Jonathan and the plethora of our brothers and sisters, parents and children, who are unjustly targeted every single day because of their color. O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do. (Quran, 4:135)
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 06:35:10 +0000