Love matters

Not only has racism not ended in this country, it seems like it’s open season on people of color. The vitriol alone expressed about our President is sickening to witness. It’s gotten to the point that I rarely watch the news anymore so that I don’t have to hear something else said that’s both disgusting and beneath the individual saying it.  And whether it’s law enforcement or private citizens, it seens acceptable to some to treat differently those with darker skin, as if they’re somehow expendable and just not worth the effort to treat with respect and dignity.

The grand jury in the killing of Michael Brown found that the killing was justified and no charges will be filed against the officer in question. Comments online spiked as the prosecutor read the decision, taking forever to say what that decision was, using the time instead to garner his fifteen minutes of fame. And now, as more information comes out, it’s become apparent that this whole thing is far worse than we originally knew.

Essentially, what has happened, is that the victims are the only people truly on trial, assuming there even is one. And if you’re a woman of color, like Marissa Alexander, the deck is stacked so far against you, that the state of Florida won’t even acknowledge that she was defending herself from her abusive husband. It’s not like she killed him, or even shot him. No, the bullet didn’t even strike him. He’s fine and doesn’t have to be responsible for the terror he caused her. Now, after all the nonsense she’s endured, she’s accepted a plea deal and will have to serve an additional 65 days in prison for trying only to defend her life. Then, she’s on house arrest for two more years after she is released from prison. So apparently only men in Florida are allowed to stand their ground, leaving women as sitting ducks? All because the prosecutor can’t be human. Ms. Alexander has suffered enough. Let her begin her life anew with the dignity and respect she’s owed.

Protests broke out around the country after the decision was announced in the Michael Brown case. People are tired of having to be afraid of the police and the justice system. We’ve watched as Wall Street banksters and the Republican party have all but destroyed what’s left of the middle class in this country. Yet the banksters still have high paying jobs, while families have nowhere to live and no unemployment insurance to help them survive. We can thank the Republican party for that, yet, they control Congress this time around. Will anyone who helped this happen pay attention? Will they remember to vote next time, and do so with in informed position? Or will we destroy the country completely the next time around?

Sooner or later, we’re going to have to come to terms with how separation and division destroys, and love and unity creates. We understand this concept in other situations, but not as a country. We view those in trouble as a complication we’d rather ignore than do anything to help. We’ve become extremely adept at the us versus them mentality, and it’s costing us everything.

I posted an article from The Oregonian that showed a picture of a police officer hugging a boy who had tears streaming down his face. Devonte Hart, just twelve years old, attended the rally held in Portland on November 25th to make his voice heard in support of Michael Brown. Sgt. Bret Barnum saw that he was holding a sign which said, Free Hugs. They began talking and Sgt. Barnum asked if he could have a hug. A picture of that exchange was taken, and I hope it goes viral, because it shows what we can all have together if we simply remember that we belong to each other. We’re one family, whether we want to believe that or not.

I’ve included a link to the article as well as to one mentioned as well about Devonte Hart. If both don’t bring folks to tears, then sit there until you are. Love matters that much.

Photo: Police officer and young demonstrator share hug during Ferguson rally in Portland

Meet Devonte, the little boy with a big heart