Police Brutality

Me and Keisha

Two years ago I met Nickeisha Gaynor at an event for me at Stony Brook University. She introduced me at the ceremony. At the time she was writing a paper on Mass Incarceration regarding gangs and police brutality. She reminded me about all the athletes lately protesting against police brutality. She worries that her generation, is not as active in learning about the politics of our time. In her hope to change that, she sent me this essay and I remembered about the incredible video she did a couple of years ago, "The Right To Grow Up."



Police Brutality-- Taking Advantage Of "Self Defence"
by Nickeisha Gaynor


Stop Police Brutality! Black lives matter! We've cried it. We've protested it. We've churched it. We've pleaded for it to stop. In fact, we have not only done this peacefully, but we have also ensured it was done lawfully. We have abided by the rules and regulations in return for what we had asked for--and end to police brutality. It is evident that changes like this take time, but it’s sad to say, it’s been too long now. As a family, we need to protect ourselves!

Let us take a look at the current situation that just occurred in Baltimore. How many people do we actually hear focusing on the death of Freddie Gray? I guarantee you that we are all aware of the riots and the lootings in Baltimore, but hardly about Gray, the 25 year old African American, who’d suffered multiple fractures and a broken spine while detained by police officers. It is as if police brutality is normal nowadays. We protested on this matter before, yet police brutality continues. We watch our brothers and sisters die off one by one, and all we hear is “it was self defense.” If police officers can use that line, why can’t we? We are being targeted by a higher power, isn’t it fair for us to do whatever we can to protect ourselves and call it “self defense?”

Now gangs in Baltimore have decided to put their differences aside and come together as one and still, the main issue of police brutality was ignored. They want Blacks to fight back. They wanted them to make themselves look bad just so they may use that as the opportunity to justify their reasons for their actions. Well, it worked. Stores were vandalized by protesters and it only got worse from there. What did you think the news reporters were going to show? Not the peaceful protest that took place prior, but the violent acts that occurred after. That is the problem. We will never be seen when we peacefully ask for a change, but will always be seen as animals that needs to be tamed.

We need a new tactic, not to end up begging and pleading for help from the government, etc., but for us to keep on coming together as a family, not only for protesting, not only for church, not only for school, not only for work, etc., but in everything we do. We seriously need to regain our original identity, because we were once known for our hands on work, and now sadly, for our hands on guns. We need to unify once again and yes, we need the gangs in our community to keep on coming together as one also. We need to protect ourselves!

Someone is asking if I’m serious about the unification of gangs. Let us take this time to start reminiscing on what gangs use to be like when there was unity. I recently saw a post on the internet that stated, CRIP: Crip stands for Community Revolution in Progress. Now, I am not sure if that was the original meaning being CRIP, however, because the originality of their aim was to protect our community nothing more nothing less, I support it. It was also said that BLOOD: Blood stands for Brotherly Love Overcomes Our Depression. Realize that their goal was to overcome oppression not to cause fear nor stir up aggression? That’s what gangs were all about, of course when there was unity. Thus, it’s very clear that with unity, we can make ends meet!

Intriguingly, the difference in this generation is that ever since we have obtained our freedom, everyone is more to themselves. I know it will be hard to break out of this habit, especially with today’s entertainment industry encouraging us to be drug addicts, self centered and materialistic. Some may think otherwise, but let us think about some of these rappers we listen to. Rick Ross for instance. Hopefully we all know of him. If not, Rick Ross didn’t only go to college with a football scholarship, but he also had a clean reputation going on for him. He was a correctional officer. Evidently, in order to get that job, his record had to be completely clean, thus, it can be implied that he never sold drugs, nor had any criminal involvement. Ironically, his music videos portrayed that he did... why?

Food for thought: Radio stations and record companies would more likely replay a song that consistently portrays pain, gambling, addiction, and money. Rappers nowadays realize this strategy, and use it to their advantage to make easy money. Whether or not the music industry is aware that they're manipulating us, they actually are. Still don't believe me? Let's take a look at the type of songs we are listening to nowadays: "I'm in love with the coco!" This is the most explicit example one can give. Those are the songs that are constantly playing and are constantly being listened to. We not only sing along to these types of songs when we hear them, but we also sing them with confidence--which shows a form of support towards those types of lyrics. We may emphasize that these are just songs, but they're instilling this idea in our mindset that criminal activities and drug use aren't problems or an issue. Thus, we need to turn those music off and let these entertainers know that they’re also encouraging police officers to target minorities even more. We have been brained-wash. It is now time that we wash the filth out of our minds and start to think clear once again, so we can unite in peace to end this rubbish.

Furthermore, I strongly believe we should encourage the gangs in our community to help protect us. I suggest this because I was recently assaulted near a bus stop by a homeless man. He tried to rob me. Normal people stood by and watched. I was wrestling this man for around 2 minutes straight, but it felt like it was for hours. Let me reiterate the fact that "normal people stood by and watched.” It was both ex gang members and gang members, who had stepped in and help me detain the robber, until the cops arrived. These gang members weren't affiliated with each other, yet they still came together to help me. This situation itself let me realize that gangs do have the power to help save lives despite their differences. They are bold. Fearless. Strong. If only they used their strength for good? I believe we need to let them realize that their gangs aren’t their only family; we are all in this together. We need to be in this together!

In due time, we will gain justice. We just need to gain back our love in our communities, reclaim our safekeeping and become the hard working people we once were. It is time that we stop being too dependent and let us start being builders again. We all have a great amount of responsibility to take on, I know, but when we do take it on, we will surely have great power to not being fearful. I will be honest with you all. I strongly doubt that police brutality will come to an end, thus, once again, it is up to us to protect ourselves. Can we fight back if cops are in the wrong? If a black man is getting beat down by police officers wrongfully, he should be able to fight back and call it “self defence”. Many of you may assume I’m pro-violence because I am suggesting we fight back, but I’m quite the contrary. I’m in favor of self-defense, and I hope you will be too. It’s now time that we unite and help protect ourselves! Not stir up trouble, but let the government recognize that though we need police officers around, we also need to put our foot down! Police officers can get away with violent behaviors by simply calling it self-defence. A black man fighting back pays with his life or serve imprisonment. If you have not gotten anything from what I have said so far, I would like you to get this: “Self-defence” should not only be for the privileged, but also for the disadvantaged!