Written by Ellen Banks.
What can we do?
February 26, 2012: The murder of Trayvon Martin.
It was my freshman year of college and I was having the time of my life. I did not have a T.V. and I did not entertain myself with the small one that was in the lounge, so it was not a surprise that I did not hear about Trayvon Martin. I remembered listening to Michael Baisden speak about the case. It was two weeks later and it was still the topic of discussion. When I arrived back to college, the Black Student Union made it their mission to bring the college together and bring awareness to the issue. It felt good to be part of something so important and needed.
Fast forward to 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Each year we have lost innocent victims to police brutality and each year they are not held accountable. We came together; whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, gay, straight, bisexual, female, male, poor, wealthy, Christian and Muslim, but yet, nothing seems to be working. We have held peaceful protest, rioted, spoke to our local, state and federal governments, boycotted Black Friday, but still, STILL we are seen as worthless.
So I ask, what can we do now? Do we continue to fight? Do we stay silent? Do we get revenge? Not sure. A Facebook friend suggested that we hit them where it hurts the most: their pockets. We boycott the business, the vacations, and foods that were not made for us. We let them know we longer stand for it. We are better than them and soon enough, we will run America. America needs us. Who else will fight for a country who never fought for them back?
I hope I live long enough for POC to be the majority of the Fortune 500 companies, long enough to see our little boys and girls become cops and protect and serve like they were sworn to do. I hope I live long enough where future generations will not be afraid to raise a black and brown son in America. I hope and pray that I live long enough to see a different and better America. It begins at home. Teach your children about tolerance, love, and peace. Tell them about the real history of America, no matter how gruesome it is. We have a long way to go, America. Help us not hate this country.
This is for all the innocent victims of police brutality and for the victims who never got the justice they deserve. We love you. We're fighting for you. We will never forget you.
Disclaimer: the above is the author's opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ray Ross or AmbitionWasteland.com