Discussion: Who Will Be Next?
April 16, 2021
I have to say, my heart is heavy. When I heard they killed another young Black male at the hands of another police officer, I asked myself, “Who will be next?” A 26 years’ veteran who has carried her gun on her right hip for 26 years, “mistakenly” pulls her gun instead of her Taser. According to the news report (Officer Kim Potter, part of the Brooklyn Center Police negotiation team. ... found her handgun is holstered on the right side of her belt, while the Taser is on the left side, according to a news ... Citing a criminal complaint, the release said the Taser is yellow with a black grip and is set in a straight-draw position, "meaning Potter would have to use her left hand to pull the Taser out of its holster.")
With no understanding left within me, now I find it hard to just breathe. What do we do as a race? We go to church for Bible Class and they carry nine (9) members out in body bags. (When the one responsible is arrested, the police stopped and bought Dylann Storm Roof a meal on their way to taking him to jail. We go jogging (Ahmaud Arbery) and a father and son kill us in the street. While this tragedy is going on, someone records it, instead of calling the police. We are home in our bed when the police break in and Breonna Taylor shot six times on both sides of her body. The bullets find their mark in her abdomen and chest, her arm and leg, and twice in her foot. These two officers fire 22 rounds in less than a minute. A F.B.I. ballistics report verified this.
After talking over this matter with some of my Christian friends, some interesting points came out and I’d like to share them with you. It was mentioned how one is raised (their foundation) and putting on a uniform years later doesn’t change that foundation, be it good or bad. Another one I hadn’t thought of was fear facing fear. What do Blacks see when facing a police and the police see when looking at us? Is fear clear from both sides?
(Written by: NewsOne Staff posted Sept. 1, 2020) In a video which went viral an undeniable example of the apparent double standard in law enforcement. The video shows a white driver angrily confronting cops and “spit on” one officer without even so much as receiving a ticket. We don’t have to think about the consequences had this been a driver of color. So, if you look like me, how you relate to me is an uncommon response from the look alike. If you don’t look like me, it frightens me. As we stand and look at each other, it is fear looking at fear.
During our conversation it was noted a Bill was introduced by Councilman Julian Jones COUNTY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND Legislative Session 2020, Legislative Day No. 17 Bill No. 73-20 Mr. Julian Jones, Councilman by the County Council, July 6, 2020. I don’t know if this was passed. (the purpose of requiring certain additional training of Police Officers; providing that certain persons are ineligible to be hired and serve as a Police Officer unless approved by the Chief of Police; defining and requiring de-escalatory techniques before a Police Officer may use physical force; defining and limiting the use of physical force by a Police Officer; prohibiting the use of chokeholds by a Police Officer; requiring a Police Officer to intervene and report when another Police Officer uses unnecessary or excessive physical force; requiring a Police Officer to render or call for medical aid in certain circumstances; providing for an early intervention system for Police Officers related to the use of excessive force; requiring certain data collection and analysis by the Department; requiring the publication and display of certain data and the reporting of data to certain federal and state).
I have to stop here because it shows it doesn’t matter whether we are in our home, in church, jogging, walking down the street (Trayvon Martin), with your children {Jacob Blake) or accused of giving a store clerk a fake twenty-dollar bill we are targets. I wonder how many of us have a counterfeit bill on us right now and don’t realize it’s fake?
We the staff of Friday at Sundown pray for and with another mother and another family.
Thank you to all who contributed to this article… Pastor Phil Miller, Cita Gray and my beloved Editor Anthony Spencer (who keeps me on my toes and a true blessing)
Thank you for joining me for Friday at Sundown. Remember… Just Breathe!
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Resources Corner:
Psychological Trauma
GirlVictorious: Life After Trauma is a blog geared at helping women lead a meaningful, full, and victorious life after going through trauma.
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline can help victims, survivors of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-7233. Chat w/an advocate on our website. National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org/
Aid for Military Veterans
In an attempt to cope with the pain of overwhelming emotions, sometimes veterans turn to unhealthy relationships, at-risk behaviors, or substance abuse.
Welcome Home is Celebrate Recovery's (CR) tool to help veterans stuck in hurts, hang-ups, and habits. (These statements are from CR’s Homepage). You are not alone! https://www.welcomehome.celebraterecovery.com