More On The Police Shootings and the Dallas Ambush

Earlier, a Facebook friend had this to say about the recent police shootings and the deadly police ambush in Dallas.  He articulated his thoughts on the events a hell of a lot better than I did.....

"This morning, I mourn everyone in Dallas. AND I mourn Philando Castile.

Here is my problem: many of you are going to use this as evidence to say that black lives matter and their followers are warping our values by saying that somehow black lives matter more than blue lives or however you want to put it.

What you fail to understand is that black lives matter LITERALLY MEANS "BLACK LIVES MATTER TOO" in other words "all lives matter". And yet the apologist argument seems to suggest that we should divide our mourning, that there is only room enough in our national consciousness to mourn EITHER black lives OR blue lives. This is foolish, but it is the effect of the recent tit for tat. If you believe that all lives matter, then black lives must matter, so why then would you use one phrase to argue AGAINST another that is supposedly suggested within your counter-slogan?

Why be outraged AT black lives matter for not posting or protesting when ANY life is lost? They are not to blame for the loss of that life. Should you not blame the life-takers and join together in your outrage that lives have been taken without cause? Why compete? We ask that you pay attention, YOU may ask the same, because that is your right. But recognize that your right has NEVER NOT been your right. Thus why is it suddenly a "privilege" to be outraged?

It makes NO sense to diminish the loss of one life over another. Period. The fact that we have to point out that black lives matter is because we live in daily fear for our lives, and that, should they be taken (yes even by our own) that there will be no consequence for doing so.

This protest was peaceful. Protesters took selfies with police officers. Whether or not everyone within the crowd marched with the same view of the issue, there was respect between them.

ELEVEN people were shot and that is outrageous! POLICE OFFICERS were shot and that is outrageous. But do not fool yourself into thinking that these are unrelated problems or unrelated motivations for those who choose to prey upon us.

Lives matter. That is not a political stance. It is a human stance. I mourn the loss of EVERY life. And I would never DISRESPECT one of those lives by USING THEM to diminish the loss of another.

Mourn the blue. But do not ignore the cancer that is hiding within the sanctuary of what Is SUPPOSED TO BE a sacred uniform.

So from now on when I say "black lives matter", understand that it isn't special treatment or exaltation or even martyrdom that I seek, it is equality.

I seek the rights that mean not having to say "black lives matter." I want to know that I will not be slaughtered without reason. OR that if you cannot promise me that, that there will be justice so that my murderer will not be free to pass his cancer onto someone who might use that prejudice on my children, even if my murderer is sworn to serve and protect me.

You SHOULD fear for your police officers. Their job is difficult, and dangerous and vital. And Chances are, if you're reading this, you know at least SOME if not ALL good ones. I fear for them.

But ask yourself this, as my friend, after seeing what can happen to innocents, who do nothing more than attempt to comply with the orders of those who fear them for one reason or another...

Do you fear for me? Because I must confess, I AM AFRAID."

Special thanks to my Facebook friend for allowing me to share his thoughts on my blog.

On The Shooting Deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the Texas Ambush of Police Officers

It has happened yet again.  Two black men shot to death by police officers, one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the other in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile have once again brought to the forefront the treatment of people of color by the police.  Sterling was killed outside a store where he was selling CDs, and the owner said that Sterling was not motioning for any weapon, though cops found a gun on him.  Castile was a licensed gun owner who was shot after being pulled over for a broken taillight.

The shootings are upsetting, as they all are.  And I am angry as well.  It makes me wonder about my own safety.  When I was living in New York City, I was stopped twice by police, for differing reasons.  I believe that I was a victim of racial profiling.  If I didn't remain calm or acted in a belligerent manner, who knows what would have happened to me.

Not to say all police officers are horrible racists.  There are good cops; unfortunately, all the good work they do is overshadowed by these shootings of unarmed "minorities."
We need to see the good officers speak out more.

However, the latest shootings of people of color is absolutely NO EXCUSE to go after other officers, which brings me to the deadly ambush that happened during a peaceful demonstration of the shootings in Dallas last night.  Five officers were killed and seven others wounded when snipers opened fire.

Let me just say that I get it.  I really do.  I hate the fact that people of color, some of them unarmed, are being killed by police.  But what does taking the lives of five officers solve?  NOTHING!  It only adds to the bloodshed, it only means more families are grieving losses.

I agree with the Mayor of Dallas when he says we need to come together.  We, as citizens and police officers, need to work with each other, and not against each other, to solve the problems plaguing our communities.  Otherwise, the bodies will keep piling up.

Comment....as you see fit.