Take Care Of Each Other

"Take Care Of Each Other"  - Seen On A NYC Protester Sign for #Ferguson

I unfriended someone on Facebook today.  They were complaining about the protesting in their state so far away from Ferguson, Missouri.

Some of their friends commented we should just shoot the "animals" and  save money.  I could have commented.  I could have posted directly to her but I had determined this morning, I would not 'argue' on Facebook, where people are very different than they are on Twitter.  On Twitter, people are really telling the 'true story' of Ferguson and injustice.  On Facebook, people are posting their relationship troubles and what they are having for lunch. I say this 'in light' - I know people are fine and can definitely post whatever they want and I liked several things today that had nothing to do with Ferguson.

I thought about my unfriending of this girl later and realized, "She's young, she doesn't understand." I am older.  I should be a female mentor to her.  She could be my daughter.  She doesn't realize the years of boiling over pain people of colour have had.  She doesn't realize the failure of America's government to protect its citizens.

Katrina.  Need I say more? Well, maybe I do. As it seems everyone wants to throw a blanket over Ferguson thinking it will just go away.

I am white.  I am Charlie Brown white.  Much like Darren Wilson.  You know, white with ruby red cheeks from a little friction or when it gets cold?

I have black family.  I have black friends.  For thirty or more years,  I have seen up close and personal the prejudice and racism black people endure on a daily basis.  The people who do not believe there is still prejudice or racism are wrong.

I feel like I should at least say something.  Because I am white.  And I think it's going to take a lot of white people to take care of our black people.  There's going to have to be states upon states marching, protesting, doing 'die-ins' - with thousands of white people.  We must take care of each other, just like the protester's sign in New York said.

Last time I made a post or comment about this type of thing was about Zimmerman and one person hit 'like' on it.   I don't care.  I am old enough now that it matters not who agrees with me or stands with me.  That is the positive thing about being older.  Also, as time goes on, you realize if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

If you can't understand what is going on, then you aren't paying attention.  If you are worried about looters taking laptops, televisions and making your comments about "How is that helping anything?" perhaps you need to understand what riots are all about.  What protests are all about.  Change.  Showing the rage, anger, and even the raw emotion of hate of how things are, how the world is.  If the murder of a teenager is not as important to you as a laptop, then you need to "check your privilege," as they say.

You have white men in government in America who have looted from all of us far more than what a few businesses have lost.

This was an INDICTMENT not a jury trial.  Grand Jury's indict in 10,999 of 11,000 cases brought before them.  So, here's one they didn't.  And we are just suppose to 'feel' that all is fine and everything is okay because this Grand Jury didn't think this case could have went to a jury trial. 12 jurors, 9 white, 3 black.  9 members needed for an indictment.  Do the math.

Let me point out a few things that I am not sure everyone has heard.  Many people watch riots and do not understand the reason the riot is happening.

Officer was 6'4 - everyone made it seem like he was just a little guy and was up against this "elephant gorilla of a demon of a hulk superhero." Officer shoots 12 bullets.  Leaving only one bullet in the chamber.  Officer takes six weeks to write a report, giving himself plenty of time to "fill - in" information and change things to his own department's 'training' (if that's what you want to call it.)

The officer originally came from a department that had to be disbanded because of racism.

There was no need for lethal force in this case.  The murder victim was unarmed.  Police departments need to train their officers better if it takes 12 bullets to arrest someone for stealing some cigars.  Is there anything police departments are given other than a gun to take someone down with?  Yes. Tasers, batons, mace, handcuffs and so on.  Law enforcement are suppose to be trained in disabling with pressure points.  If you are in 'close' proximity with someone you can squeeze near their neck/shoulder that will literally bring them down.

Announcement of the 'no bill' is given at 8PM when it could have been made at 8am the following day.  Or at noon when the grand jury actually finished meeting. Why?  Because the "prosecutor friend" (Since when have you seen a prosecutor so happy for not winning!) of the officer wanted to see property destroyed in Ferguson.  This was obviously planned.  He could have cared less.  Along with the Governor of Missouri who 'deployed' approx. 700 National Guard but wouldn't even pick up his telephone when the Mayor of Ferguson called him all night and has not spoke to him since August.  The National Guard on the original night was sent 'behind the scenes' they said.  Behind the scenes to them means "protecting property in wealthier, more white areas." If the National Guard was standing guard at a Ferguson Hair Salon or the local pizza/antique shop or a car parts store, you can believe there would have been no fires.

Everyone wants to complain about property damage/values but whenever white kids have bonfires and blow up things after a sports events, it's no big deal.  Looting and fires started when no one was out there.  The police must have planned to leave those 15 buildings that burned unmanned and unprotected.  It's much like a protester said, "Y'all shoulda seen this coming."  How in the world were there people who have degrees and 'smart' positions not aware something like this would happen?

Someone in government positions needs to be held accountable.

No one wants to put police on trial.  They watch CNN and think they have all the information.  You find out more information on Twitter than you do on any of the news channels.  Police need to be put on trial.  Last night, Amnesty International representatives were there and peaceful protesters were there.  There was designated 'safe areas' however, a church (safe house) was raided and a coffeehouse and this church in Shaw were tear gassed.  Peaceful protesters were called to come out with hands up, threatened with mass arrest, yet, those exits were gassed and people had to hide in the basement.

They were told in advance this would be a 'safe' area. Then gassed.  Put yourself in their position.

Which brings me to protesting and our Constitution.  I may be wrong and I'm sure someone will let me know but I do not recall there being something written in the First Amendment that we need permits and need to protest in certain areas.  I'm sure it has something to do with each state.  If you want to protest in the street, you should be able to do it.  If you want to walk down a tunnel, interstate, bridge and block traffic and you have enough people in your march to do that, then do it. This is America.  People died for your right to protest and walk down any street you want to while you are doing it.

Being arrested for standing up for your beliefs would be an honour.  Civil disobedience.  Some people know that.

I'm grateful for the over 100 protests tonight.  I'm thrilled to see it.  Continue.  Shut down Time Square.  It's wonderful to see.  It proves some people know what is going on.  Hopefully the media will continue to show these protests, and interview the protesters.  I don't care how much property is lost to looters.  I care about people speaking about the value of human life.

Finally, I want to remind some serious infractions of ethical and moral and legal matters.  Firstly, the dead body of Michael Brown was left out on the street for four and a half hours.  Imagine that being your son, your brother, your friend.  It's immoral, it's sick.  It's disrespectful.  Made me laugh when our President said we had to 'respect' the decision.  I don't.  I find it totally unacceptable and irresponsible to treat a human body like that.  That isn't suppose to happen in America.  If you think it is, then you need to get in touch with your heart again.

Secondly, pictures and measurements were not taken because batteries in camera ran out.  I can find batteries within ten minutes anywhere I am at, but obviously in Ferguson you can't.  Maybe that Family Dollar or Dollar Tree didn't have them?  I doubt it.  Lazy behaviour in the case of a murder while a body is laying out for all that time.  Measurements not taken because 'not needed.'

A juror admitted when autopsy hadn't arrived by Friday that they did not need to see it to make decision.

That is illegal.

I am sure people in other countries who have police who don't even carry guns !!! YES !!! (amazing, huh?) or who allow protestors on the street to do what they want and when they want to make their voices heard, are shaking their head at America and what a joke we are.

To this, I'm sure every redneck would say, "If you don't like it, get out."

FIND YOUR BEST SELF, PEOPLE!

There's something to stand up for here, there's something to hold up to the light to examine.  And it's time to take care of each other.