RAPPERS IN REAL LIFE: Sean Bell

This is one Blog that I wish I never had to write. In a lot of ways I feel like it is too late. Perhaps that is being pessimistic, because I know that the past cannot be changed, but the future can. I could snap off and say things closer to how I feel, instead I am going to channel that energy into a different place. I once told Dr. Hardy, A black doctor of philosophy at Tennessee State University, that I would not take his advice and pursue a degree in Philosophy because I felt like I wanted to be able to do more than speak about what I thought. Today I realize that speaking out is a more important first step than what I gave credit. I'm taking you back to school with me today.

I feel that the comments made at the press conference held by NYPD following the verdict was disrespectful to the family of Sean Bell. I feel that the officers, except for one, showed no remorse for their actions and were even celebrating their fabricated victory. I do not feel that justice was served today.

The not guilty verdict that was recieved today in regards to the Sean Bell Case is another episode in the Groundhog's-day-like events that loom over the head of blacks and other minorities. Police brutality and racial profiling is not somethign new to our community. We've known for far too long to be suprised. We burned the city down when they acquited Rodney King. We were outraged when they shot Timothy Thomas in Cincinnati, we were upset when Dialou, who was unarmed, was shot by police 41 times. The same fate fell to Tim Stansbury,and Patrick Dorismond. All of these men are on a growing list of black men who lost their lives due to the "alleged" use of excessive force. I have personally have had a number of encounters with police because I caught their attention, caught being at the wrong place at the wrong time, driving a car that looked suspicious, or just looking suspicious myself, as I was told by police. I am often confronted by the officer, only for them to give me a ticket as a way to "inconvience me" because apparently I am making them work more than they want to, gave them some attitude, and thats their way of getting back at me. From the moment I see blue lights in my rearview, I know that the car behind me is not there to make sure I am doing okay. It's not just me. I am not the only one in my "Boyz in the Hood generation' that has had these experiences. I am blessed that all I have to do is pay a fee. Sean Bell paid with his life. Timothy Thomas paid with his life. Amalou Dialou paid with his life.

Of course, I am black, and I am Priveledged to have a voice in the conversation of our culture. However, it is more than apparent to me that this is not about race. it is about Human rights. I will not make this about being black, and allow people to use that as a device to seperate people. In todays society, prevalent with technology and controlled by the rapid transfer of information from one party to the other. I will not allow this to be tinted with racism. THIS IS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. Not Black rights, not arab rights, not hispanic rights, HUMAN RIGHTS.

If I play devils advocate for a moment. Lets say, that these officers were in fact in fear of their lives. lets pretend that Sean bell and his two friends all looked like DEEBO from "Friday". It still does not take 51 shots to slow down three unarmed people. Particularly for highly trained detectives (not rookie cops), it is hard to believe that the use of their pistols was the only way that they could defend themselves. One officer shot 31 times by himself. No handgun will give you 31 shots from one clip, so this officer reloaded while the other ones kept firing. At what point did any of the officers realize that no one was shooting back at them? How many shots is considered to be excessive force upon an unarmed man?

I am upset that these types of events keep happening. I am not alone. I remember the most famous quotes of former Tennessee State University president James Hefner. I am paraphrasing, but in many of his speeches, he would say...

"Every morning in Africa, a cheetah and a gazelle awakens under the sun. The Gazelle knows that he must run faster than the fastest cheetah, or he may not awaken the next day. The gazelle also knows that he must run faster than the slowest gazelle or one day he may be eaten. The cheetah knows that he must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or he may not awaken the next day. he also know that he must run faster than the fastest cheetah, or he may never eat."

Everyday I awake in america. Sometime I feel like a cheetah. Sometimes I feel like a gazelle. But I will never stop runnning. I run by being educated. I run by working hard. I run by taking ownership of my circumstances. I run by taking responsibilty for my actions. I run by helping to those who are helping themselves first. I run by using my voice, presence, influence to aid in the betterment of a people, rather than the swelling of my pocket. Most recently, the Pope Bendict of the Catholic church was in the U.S. and he gave a few words that touched me that I will hope to leave you with.

The burden that man carries is to make life on earth as it is in heaven. I urge you as my reader, to help me carry this burden. Please send a message to my inbox with your email address so that I can keep in touch with you outside of myspace, I will keep you up on the lifestyle, and the positivity that will inspire it...