March 3, 1991, July 16, 2014, August 9, 2014... March 3, 1991 Rodney King was beaten by five officers after a high-speed car chase. King survived; July 16, 2014 Eric Garner is a victim of police brutality and dies after being put in a choke hold. Garner dies; August 9, 2014 Michael Brown is shot and killed by officer Darrell Wilson. Brown dies after being fatally shot. What do these victims s all have in common? The color of their skin. The officers have something in common also, acquittals. Its no longer black on black crime. Those statistics are becoming, it seems, yesterdays news. Racial tension is one thing that has been prevalent through out history and continues in society today. It was only a matter of time before people began to fight back. The dawn of a new era; the civil rights movement began. Is it too soon to say that the riots which ensued after Kings beating, might occur; that history will repeat itself? When the crime committed against Brown occurred which ultimately led to his death, TIME made it their cover. It seems that racial crimes committed by law officials are becoming a constant topic in not only our local news but a headline for world news. People from all over the world are taking notice. This can no longer be something that is swept under the rug. People are dying due to excessive police brutality. Some may say which Ive heard a thousand times before that the victims lifestyle and a possible rap sheet was enough to seal their fate. I, along with an alarmingly growing number of the population, beg to differ. Its time to step up, speak up. Our rights as civilians, Americans, humans are being trampled upon. The number of deaths due to police brutality are increasing. And it will not stop until something is said and/or done. I am not saying or condoning any act of violence towards anyone. But enough is enough. These men may be the law but it gives them no right to become judge, jury, and executioner with ones life. They are literally getting away with murder. The time is now. All of us as a collective voice must unite, advocate in order for change to come about... I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 05:39:09 +0000