I wanted to take this opportunity as a WICK writer to express my most profound opinions on the racial pandemic that our country is going through. This year has been nothing short of chaotic, depressing, traumatizing, and heartbreaking. One way that 2020 changed my life forever happened on May 25, 2020. Some may not know how much this date means to me and the BLACK community. On May 25, 2020, a 43-year-old BLACK man was being held down in the streets screaming, “I can’t breathe,” in front of a large crowd with two other police officers just standing around, not assisting. Officer Chauvin was the police officer who killed this 43-year-old BLACK man, and he was arrested on May 29, 2020. This 43-year-old BLACK man was named George Floyd. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, and, most notably, a dad. However, because of a straightforward trait that he could not change, he was killed. It wasn’t because he talked a specific way, was disrespectful to the officers, or even because he was starting problems. It was because he was BLACK in America with a fake $20 bill. Being BLACK in America can get you killed, simple as that. Unfortunately for me, I’ve known this sad fact since I was eight years old.
On February 26, 2012, I learned the tragic truth about how much my skin color could get me hurt. Trayvon Martin, a sixteen-year-old boy, was shot walking home from the store with Skittles and iced tea. He was shot simply because he was wearing a hood and looked like “trouble.” I am sixteen years old, I like skittles and iced tea, and I am BLACK. Does that mean I am next?
Ever since Trayvon’s death happened, my brother and I are not allowed to wear our hoods with our hoodies unless it rains or snows, simply because we are BLACK in America. Being BLACK in America does not only harm men but also women. On March 13, 2020, police officers raided the home of Breonna Taylor because they thought she had a stash of drugs. They ended up going into the bedroom where Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend fired a gun in self-protection but ended up shooting and killing Breonna instead. According to the New York Times, they also already had the suspect in custody. It’s been nearly 200 days since the murder, and the cops have still not been arrested. There have been protests in her name, funds donated, and even letters were written to the District Attorney’s office, yet no charges have been made. I know I can speak for others when I say that if Breonna’s skin was white, the officers would have been arrested, no questions asked. However, the world tells me I can’t even feel comfortable sleeping in my own bed at night because I am BLACK in America.
On February 23, 2020, a 25-year-old unarmed BLACK man was shot while he was out doing his daily jog because he “looked like a criminal” (New York Times). When Ahmaud Aubrey was killed, I could not run in the neighborhood anymore unless an adult was with me. On August 30, 2019, a 23-year-old BLACK man who had special needs and was anemic was walking home from work wearing his ski mask. Officers ordered him to take off his mask, but he could neither understand nor comply due to his condition. He was beaten and held down before being rushed to the hospital, where he died.
Ever since Elijah McClain death, I cannot be alone at night in the city by myself. These are only four of the thousands of unarmed victims’ names, who were considered dangerous simply because they were BLACK in America. These stories not only affected the victims and their families, but also other BLACK people in America. This is a time for us to get up, stand up, and use our voices for good. Be proud to be an ally and stand for something bigger than yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak up for issues that matter. Lend a hand or let people know that you are here for them. While I will never have it any easier or more challenging than any BLACK person in America, that doesn’t excuse me not to give up and continue to fight. Let us remember to say their names, share their stories, and educate ourselves and others. Because at the end of the day, BLACK LIVES MATTER!!
