No more silence

My morning routine consists of my alarm going off precisely at 6:55 am and immediately I turn on my television.  There I turn to ABC and see the last second weather forecast for the day and prepare for Good Morning America (GMA).  This particular morning, December 4, 2014, I uncovered something that shocked me.


We are a nation incredibly divided on this issue and it is tearing me apart.

Take a second a look at the numbers again, this time focusing solely on the grand jury decision portion.  Half of America agrees with the grand jury's decision and the other half doesn't.  Fine.  But let's look at the racial divide.  60% of whites agree while 40% disagree...10% of blacks agree while 90% of blacks disagree.

We've all seen commercials or informercials where they say that 9 of 10 {fill in the blank} agree that {fill in the black}.  Why is that phrase so widely used?  Because usually we are led to believe that there will always be "that one person" who disagrees, but we are supposed to go with the over whelming majority right?

Lets forget the facts of Ferguson and whether justice was done shall we?  Why do you think that 90% (or 85% if you're trying to be cute) think that there is something wrong?  Probably because there is.  I'm not concerned on whether you think that justice is rightly administered, I have people that I hold a ton of respect to give split answers, my problem is the fact that this is such a racially divisive subject.

90% of blacks are saying that there is something wrong.  Let me repeat that: ninety percent.  And I hear some of my fairer skinned brothers and sisters indicate that in some way there is an overreaction?  There's no way that I can get on board with that.  I can't be silent anymore.

Through Trayvon Martin ordeal I was silent because I respect the court system too much.  This decision to not indict Officer Wilson did not surprise me.  What did surprise me was the backlash I received.  This recent incident with Eric Garner admit-tingly surprised me.

These issues have uncovered an issue that is continuously swept under the rug because it's uncomfortable.  That issue is that there is a huge stereotyping problem.

I've seen this photo circulate a ton and I refused to repost it only because it's missing the point:

Yes, there are exceptions to every rule.  But let us do an experiment.  To all of my white brothers and sisters out there, why don't you ask 5 people of color if they ever had a crude experience of being negatively stereotyped and how that made them feel.  Then ask them for another.  This post is to my white brothers and sisters.  No, we aren't crazy.  No, we aren't all overreacting.  Yes, there is a huge problem.
But I have hope that this can be rectified.  I have hope that we can look upon each other and see the real person underneath the melanin.  I have this hope and i will NOT let it die.
People are telling me that I'm wasting my time because the difference is too vast.  I'm sorry but I must disagree.  While none of my fairer skinned friends will not understand how it feels to feel like you're being condemned because of your skin tone, they can empathize and somewhat have compassion on it.
Jesus, my role model, was a man of compassion.  He had love for everyone, especially those that were different than he.  This is my plea to America.  Please understand that we, as a African American community, are deeply hurt by this issue.  We are consistently negatively stereotyped and it all comes from fear.  Please don't fear us.  Please don't be afraid of us...me.  I just want to be loved and loved back. But I can no longer sit back and be idle.  I can't and I won't.

-MJ

I Mourn...

I mourn because we are fighting like dogs on an issue that should unite us.
I mourn because another guy that looks like me is dead on the street.
I mourn because another guy that looks like me shows no respect to the police.
I mourn because more violence does not create more violence.
I mourn because everyone that looks like me is up in arms.
I mourn because half of those that don't look like me do not understand.
I mourn because there is sin rampant in the world and at times it feels hopeless.
I mourn because racism is still alive and kicking.
I mourn because these circumstances in Ferguson and Staten Island are dividing us.
I mourn because not enough of my Christian brethren are talking about the decisions.
I mourn because of poverty.
I mourn because of segregation.
I mourn because of the cycle of hopelessness that is continuously spinning.
I mourn because Dr. King's dream might not ever be realized.
I mourn because my family mourns.
I mourn because I'm tired of arguing/debating the validity.

I simply mourn because I am a black man living in the USA that doesn't feel united.