| Everyday observations that normally would have been ignored continue to make the news feeds. Why? To remind us how quickly the realities of injustice can happen to anyone, anytime, and any zip code in America. Last week, another eye witness from California video taped a routine traffic stop with a police officer. Thankfully, it did not end with shots fired, death, or a #anewhashtag. The parents were told they were dismissed in order to question the driver. But they were adamant about standing with their son, who did have current license, registration, insurance, and was not on probation nor did he have any outstanding warrants. The incident appeared to escalate when the Mother asked the police officer to simply give her son the traffic ticket. Her persistence was not received well. When the Father added ” Were not all on parole or probation and we own our house”, the family was detained until back up arrived. Thirty minutes later, with more neighbors watching, it would take another police officer with a more peaceful approach, (good cop) to dismiss his colleagues and resolve what could have been a minor issue. Maybe… I admire the resilience of the American Black Man. Everything about his history of oppression suggests for him to quit, stop, give in, lay down, conform, shut up, deny himself, run, hide, or die in his soul. Yet, he pushes forward. Often surviving under the worst circumstances, no human being should ever be expected to endure. From serving half-of- a-life-time for crimes never committed to last hired, first fired or never hired. My GOD. What is it about this human man? Why does he continue to be identified as the main one to fear? How did he become “The Envy of the World? (Ellis Cose 2003) American Black Man keep standing with honor, dignity, integrity and strength. You are not perfect but you are so loved. Today I am honoring the American Black Man. I am standing for my grandsons, Darius, Damien, Will, Julian, Trey, Mr.Mason and in memory of CFH. FC Hickombottom  ReplyForward |
Last Name Hickombottom 