Are we seriously back here again?
It actually doesn’t surprise me one bit.
Earlier today I was scrolling through Instagram, as you do on a typical Saturday morning in lockdown. As I was scrolling I happened to come across a post made by The Shade Room documenting a Black Army Lieutenant held at gunpoint and repeatedly pepper-sprayed. All of this documented on the bodycam footage of the police officer. In search of more context I dove into google to find indeed, cops were caught on video pepper-spraying Lt. Caron Nazario, coming home from work and in full uniform. I am floored.
Unfortunately, it is not new to learn that a man of colour was threatened violently by two white police officers. While many of us have the privilege to live in ignorance of this, it is a common experience for many others, regardless of where they live. I feel like what makes this experience is more egregious is the fact that he was literally wearing his army uniform, identified himself as a member of the American army, and was still treated like a second-rate citizen in a country he is sworn to protect the rights and freedoms of. Black people swear an oath to defend something they are not actually afforded.
What is horrendous is for a country that espouses freedom and liberty to have such a double standard like this. Clearly, those freedoms only exist for a certain type of people. I will admit I am one of the lucky ones -but it makes me feel disgusting to know the type of company I sit with. This is no way to treat human beings.
I was not planning on talking about this topic this week but it had to be said. We can post all the images we want online but we are cowards if we don't stand up to this stuff when it happens in real life. I am so happy that this man is still alive and able to sue. He shouldn’t have to be in that position but you know what he’s probably one of the lucky ones.
It upsets me that this is every day. If we espouse the idea that the ‘Americas’ are a place of freedom and opportunity then that idea should be afforded to everyone. Last time I checked we are all human beings, why don’t we treat each other like that and have some respect for each other’s human decency. We can all do better in this department.
I don’t have anything else really much to say. Let’s just try and treat each other better and speak up when we see something that doesn’t feel right. Even if it’s scary. I really don’t care. We don’t have any excuses. This shouldn’t be an average Saturday. This is a human rights issue.
Here is the link to the American BLM site along with the BLM card. I also have the link to the Canadian BLM site here as well as the Canadian BLM card. If you want to help out check those resources out.
But more importantly, just be aware and active in your community and understand how this issue is addressed there. You can’t buy your way out of this problem. Real change won’t actually happen unless you speak up in real life. So give that a try too. It matters just as much.
Hope you’re having a great day otherwise. Let’s keep pushing for change even if it is the tiniest bit.
Original Stock Photo by Jakayla Toney from Pexels,
Edit by me.
