Black Out on Black Friday

In the aftermath of Mike Brown's killer walking free, there has been a call to arms sent out. Today is Black Friday, the best shopping day of the year and the start of Christmas shopping. To show solidarity to the Brown family, it's been asked that Black Americans NOT shop today. Boycott all the sales. Use our buying power to make a point. That point is simple: Black lives matter. Protests have popped up all over the U.S. After Brown's killer was not even indicted over his murder. People are understandably upset. People want justice. We want to know that the murderers are held accountable for their actions. We deserve justice. So, today, boycott, let the powers that be know that we are mad as hell and aren't gonna take it anymore. We need to effect change in this country. I am tired of young Black people being slaughtered in the streets and no one caring. Let's do this, people. #JusticeForMikeBrown today!

I'm Sorry, Michael Brown

No indictment for Darren Wilson. That's what the Ferguson Grand Jury decided after 109 days after Michael Brown was shot down in broad daylight by an overzealous cop. And, now his killer will not even face charges or a trial. This is what justice looks like in the so-called "Post-racial" America. I knew there would be no justice for Michael Brown, but I’m still hurt. I’m so upset I’m shaking. They really don’t care about us. Our lives aren’t safe. We aren’t the ones protected. Over 100 days to tell the world that Mike Brown deserved to die. Over 100 days to stand up and lie on television. I don’t want the people to riot but we’ve been peaceful far too long. We were peaceful when they let Trayvon’s killer walk. This isn’t just nor is it justice. Our skin doesn’t make us criminals or guilty. I’m so upset. I’m so sorry, Mike Brown, that the same people we pay and elect to serve us took your life and showed no remorse. Where is the justice in this? 

  

Black people are fed up. We are angry as hell. It's as if the police have declared that it is open season on Black people. This is not right. I am beyond tired of tweeting "RIP _________" or "#JusticeFor____." When will enough be enough? I'm tired of asking the same questions, tired of feeling this heaviness every single time another Black person's life being struck down by a white person. It's taken me all day to get my thoughts somewhat together on this issue to write. Mainly because I cannot believe the powers that be. There is still an ongoing federal investigation into Darren Wilson. Also, Brown's parents can (and should) file a civil lawsuit against Wilson. Especially since he "earned" almost $500,000 via a GoFundMe account. He killed their kid, got a paid vacation for 110 days and made money via donations. This killer needs to pay what he owes. I would prefer him to be left penniless and destitute and in jail. May God hear my prayers. I am so sorry, Michael Brown. I hope you are resting in peace. 

"A black ribbon is a symbol of remembrance and mourning. Used also as a political statement. And in this case, a Black ribbon to also represent racial hate crime." Black ribbon for Michael Brown.

Two Whole Weeks

Truth is, I'm tired. I took a week off from blogging to give myself a break. It's been two agonizing weeks since Michael Brown was executed in broad daylight by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. Two weeks of protests, over policing, tear gas and tears. Two weeks full of trying not to hate all white people. Two weeks of being fed up with racism and respectability politics. Two weeks too long. It was the tipping point for me. I am still disgusted with the entire situation. Yes, this happened in Ferguson but this is America so we all live in Ferguson. Michael Brown could have easily been my brothers or nephews or friends. Same with Trayvon and Jordan and Oscar and Johnathan. It's just like Renisha could've been me. I am tired of people who look like me being gunned down and no one other than Black people caring. I am sick of it.

I had to take a break because I was tired of crying, tired of hurting. And, most of all, I was exhausted of trying to get white people to understand my plight. I do not get how there can be a GoFundMe account for Michael's killer which has raised over $200k. I do not get the racist and ignorant things that have been tweeted to me and others. It's situations like these that could easily make one lose hope and faith in humanity as a whole. No parent deserves to lose their kid. No parent should have to see their child shot dead in the streets and their body left for hours. Is this not America?? The last two weeks have been too much for me. I had to take a timeout from it all. The sad part is this is far from over. Today, Michael Brown was laid to rest. 18 years old and his life was cut down for no reason. It's not right or just. All I can do is stay diligent and prayerful. Rest in Paradise, Mike Brown. We won't let them forget your name. We will get justice for you.

Get Into It: J. Cole "Free" (Mike Brown Tribute)

This is why I love J. Cole. The raw emotion in this track echoes my own. There isn't much to say about it. Praying for justice for Mike Brown and his family and his community. Thank you Cole for this track. Get into it. 

Justice For Mike Brown

Police kill another unarmed Black teen. ANOTHER. When will this stop?!? The police are supposed to protect and serve. They are not supposed to kill at will. They are not supposed to take life as if they gave it. There are conflicting reports about what happened. I am inclined to believe the words of witnesses on the scene. These witnesses bombarded Twitter with their accounts mere moments after it happened. They say Mike Brown was walking in the street on his way home. The cop who executed him passed Mike and his friend and told them to use the sidewalk. Words were passed between the two parties. Mike and his friend kept walking. The cop put his cruiser in reverse and almost hit the two young men. The cop swung his door open in an attempt to hit Mike. Mike pushed the door back towards the car. The door hit the cop who in turn pulled out an M16 rifle and shot into the car. Mike ran away from the car. Then raised both hands in surrender. The cop shot Mike in the back of the head, execution style. Mike's body fell to the ground. The killer cop walked up on Mike's body shot him four more times. He stood over Mike and shot him some more. For what?!? What did he do to deserve this? Nothing. No cop is judge, jury and executioner. None of them. 

Mike's body lay in the streets of Ferguson, MI for over 5 hours. In that time, a large crowd grew. They were shouts of "I am Mike Brown" as well as "No Justice, No Peace." Mike's parents were a part of the crowd as well. The crowd left the crime scene and marched to the Ferguson police department. They were back this morning for the Chief of Police's press conference. The spin is already on in this case. They are report's that Brown stole candy and was running from the police. Another report is that he walked up to a cop's car, pushed the cop and tried to take his gun, which makes no sense. The victim is seemingly on trial in the court of public opinion. I hate it. It's as if Black lives do not matter in this supposed world of post-racial America. Brown just graduated from high school. He should not be dead. This disgusts me. I am heartsick about this. I am an auntie, a sister, a Godmother and a friend. There are too many Black boys and men in my life for me to take this sitting down. This is a travesty. I am so pissed. Justice for Mike Brown.