When Is Enough...ENOUGH!!!???

This is not going to be a long blog post.  I don't want to be another amateur "talking head" who feels they know everything about everything.  I just ask...WHEN IS ENOUGH...ENOUGH!!!???  What will it take to convince White America that a black life in this country does not have the same worth as a white life? 

It was just announced that Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the death of Michael Brown on August 18th, 2014.  To say that I'm sad and disappointed is an understatement.  As an African American it is very easy to be cynical towards the justice system, because of the perpetual injustice that this system places upon us on a daily basis, and has placed upon us for centuries in this country.  I do my best to stay optimistic.  This country has great potential, and I am always looking for the opportunity to stay optimistic about race relations in this country.  Don't confuse my optimism for naievte.  I am a realist.  I am keenly aware of this country's treatment of African Americans, and have been personally introduced to such treatment throughout my life.  However, my optimism has turned to pessimism and cynicism.  Not just towards the justice system, but by how white people specifically, have acted and reacted towards this case and other cases.  I'm already seeing the posts on Facebook with white people almost gleeful in the fact that the grand jury did not return an indictment for Officer Wilson.  They call Michael Brown a "thug", and show no kind of sympathy towards his family.  Cases like Michael Brown's, Trayvon Martin's in Florida, Eric Garner's in New York City, and several others, white people unfortunately start the smear campaign against the victim.  It is inconceivable to them that racial prejudice could be the motivating factor in the death of these young men.  We are told to "get over it", without ever taking the time to understand why African Americans feel what they feel, or try to comprehend the complex institutional history of racial prejudice, oppression and injustice in the United States.

Want to know what my biggest fear is?  I will walk down the street in Leesburg, and for whatever reason a cop will harass me for an unknown reason.  For some reason the police officer will feel threatened, perhaps because of the cut of my jeans, the hoodie that I will have on, etc.  I will be found dead on the streets of Leesburg...another black man dead on the street, shot dead by a person who is supposed to serve and protect me.  There may be some talk about the injustice that was brought upon me, and the proverbial lines will be drawn.  White America will look upon me as they do other African American men...a violent boogie-man, out to kill, steal and destroy the country.  I will be called a "thug", or a "hoodlum".  Rumors and conspiracy theories will be tossed around.  I will be accused of being a drug dealer.  Or perhaps I was out stealing a car, although I was walking across the street to Safeway getting my daughter some Capri Sun.  There will be some who ask, "Why was he out at 9 p.m. at night wearing those clothes?".  Although my biggest fear is what I have described above, the one thing that I can rest on is my life...my legacy.  The police, the investigators, the media, the white establishment, will be unable to assign any negative characterizations upon me.  What will the reaction be in the community when they find out that the police killed a 40 year old unarmed African American man, who has worked for a state senator, a governor, three Members of the United States House of Representatives, the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee?  What will be the reaction of the those who will find out that I am a 7th generation Loudoun County resident, who came from an upper-middle class background?  What will be the reaction in the community when they find out that I am a long-time member of a local church, who is a ministry leader, works for the church as the Church Administrator, and has assisted the church in varying capacities?  How will the community react when they find out that the black man wearing the hoodie, has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science, and will be receiving his Masters of Arts in Public Policy?  How will the community react when they find out that I have no history of violence, and that I don't have a criminal record?  How will the community react when they find out that I am active in raising awareness to people suffering from pancreatic cancer and Alzheimer's Disease?  How will the community react when they find out that I am a devoted and loving father, husband, son, brother, nephew, friend, colleague, etc.?  What will it take?  Will it take me, or an African American male like me, to die in order to wake people the hell up?  You surely won't be able to blame the victim, so what will be the excuse?  The sad thing is...I will be just another dead black man, and nobody will seem to care, and people will go on with their lives ordering coffee from Starbucks, or watching the latest reality television program, while my family and the African American community still wonders why these events occur, and asking the question...when is enough...enough.  Respect and prayers to Michael Brown's family, protection over the household of Officer Wilson, prayers for the community of Ferguson, and prayers for the families of those who have been victims of violence.  

In the words of Marvin Gaye..."makes me wanna holla, and throw up both my hands".  MEETING ADJOURNED...that's the Marc Up.