ABSOLUTELY POWERFUL! A woman named Tracey Petersen (https://facebook/tracey.petersen.376?fref=ufi) reposted what her sister posted. It makes one sigh with relief, if only temporarily: Just wanted to share something that my sister wrote this a.m. This was written in a moment of complete sadness over Ferguson: Michael Brown (November 26, 2014 at 10:47am) There is something different about the Michael Brown case, and I can tell you what it is. Now, I dont know if I wasnt paying close enough attention to the Trayvon Martin case, but I dont ever remember hearing, collectively, from an entire race, across the country, ask the question: does my life matter? There is so much to be pulled from that statement that it is almost too much to unpack, but I will do my best. First, I was watching the PBS Newshour last night and the reporter was talking to citizens in the community, three women, and all three of them were crying. I mean crying. One of them turned away from the camera, and the common question was; does my life matter? Imagine if you will, standing on national television crying very sad tears, and saying out loud for millions to hear; does my life matter? The courage and bravery to do that speaks volumes about those women--two were actually girls, 14 or 15 years old. Being a teenager is one of the hardest things to do (we all know that), and on top of that pressure and uncertainty, and fear of growing up, they have to ask the question does my life matter? Secondly, there is the issue of looting and catching local small businesses on fire. Was that an extreme response? Yes. Did it ultimately set the community back temporarily, because now they have to rebuild? Yes. But, this grand jurys (despicable) decision, was the straw that broke the camels back. After years and years of oppression Michael Browns death is the culmination of a racist nation doing everything it can to oppress a whole group of people. The governor of Missouri called up the National Guard, so where were they the night of the decision? I didnt see them. The truth is, what happened is exactly what the state of Mo. wanted to happen. They wanted to reinforce the stereotype of the African American community being violent. The fact that Michael Brown was referred to as a demon proves as such. Do you blame the people of Ferguson for being enraged? Think about how YOU would react if your son was referred to as a demon, or as a community, you are thought of as less than for decades, as to get to the place of questioning; does my life matter? To get back to the looting, the symbolism of the phoenix rising from the ashes is not lost on me. This community broke on Monday night, but they will rebuild.They broke because they couldnt take one more slight. They couldnt take one more pain. They couldnt ask one more; does my life matter? Human beings are fragile, their hearts break easily. As a nation we are raised to not acknowledge that sensitive side of us. But the truth is, that is who we are first and foremost. We are not racists, people are taught that, by their parents. And it is your job to deliberately break that cycle. It is your job to rise above the petty stereotypes and break down the walls of uncertainty and reach out to someone who doesnt look like you, and ask them about their life. You will quickly realize there is more commonality and perhaps a new friendship will blossom. Third, YOU DO NOT RUN PEOPLE OVER because you have somewhere to be. One of my fb friends asked a question about the outrage that people outside of Ferguson are feeling about property being destroyed, and then another one made the comment along the lines of, you shouldnt stand in the middle of the road, b/c people who have paid for an event need to get to where they are going. Two very different sentiments, but both are connected by one thing, and that is Capitalism. We have become a nation who cares more about things, then we do an unarmed 18 year old child who had an attitude--which I might add is EVERY 18 year old. We care more, so much more, about money that two young girls, who were very brave to show their tears and true feelings on national television, ask themselves; does my life matter? To those two young girls, and every other African American my answer is yes. Yes, your life matters, you matter more than you know. Your tears are not in vain, and while you are feeling beat down by the suffocating oppression that you live everyday, know that a person in Galesburg, IL weeps with you. And to those two teenage girls, I am so sorry you have to see the ugliness of the harm people inflict on one another. And finally, for every black friend I have ever had in my life, thank you for showing me what real courage and bravery is. I have learned so much, and in particular, the black mothers that I know, your strength is inspiring. Thank you. One down. One billion more to go... #SheGetsIt #SheUnderstands #SheIsntSayingItsAllInOurHead #SheAcknowledgesOurPain #ThankYouTraceyPetersensSister
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 09:04:19 +0000
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