The police department has yet to hold a press conference or make significant statements in Baton Rouge. However, we do know the following:
- There are multiple videos of the incident (Store surveillance, Police Body Cam and Citizen Footage)
- The Baton Rouge Police claim that the body cams fell off in the altercation
- The Baton Rouge Police, as reported by the store owner, stole the footage from the store as well as the recording system WITHOUT a search warrant
- Just a day or two ago in Florida a man at a gun range accidentally killed his son, but he was not killed in a confrontation with police
- Another Black body lays in the street
- White people aren't doing enough
From what we know already, we can be sure that if this were a white man, there would be a different outcome. White people and law enforcement in this country hate Black people so much that they are willing to ignore all of the obvious signs of a cover up. Time and time again, they kill us and then spread lies about us. But what has been the common theme? Black people just trying to survive and a law enforcement agent or random white guy with guns shoot us like it's hunting season.
Why is it that we are begging and pleading to be left alone, yet they continue to target us? Why do you hate us so much? What are Black people doing that is so horrible that you have it deeply ingrained in your mind that we should suffer at your hands. Not just killing one or two of us at a time. You are destroying families and bring great sorrow to our communities. Then you go to the ballot box espousing family values as your reason to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Why is it that White people have this deep hate in their hearts? Why are White people angry that Black people aren't willing to sit back and be abused any longer.
White Allies, it is not enough to say how awful it is that these things keep happening. It's not enough to talk in groups with your friends or "Like" inconsequential social media posts. It's not enough to join an organization that works with urban youth and then blame them for not wanting success for themselves. White Allies, you must listen to the community and play your part in changing the system. This means that you might has less opportunities, because the pool of candidates is enlarging. It might mean that you have to get into monumental and uncomfortable arguments with your family members to challenge their thoughts and actions. It might mean that you have to start initiatives at your companies and organizations and in the government that upends the system of privilege you have enjoyed. You have a role to play and you must do it if you want to call yourself an ally to our community.
White Allies, it is time to stand up and fight. You see how the system treats us. Your silence is consent. White Allies, be silent no more. Raise your voices and fight for disrupting and improving the system. Black people are not animals, don't treat us like it anymore. Or we can show you what vicious is!