Existing Shouldn't Be A Crime

The country is on fire. Literally, and figuratively; because the people with the privilege think of Black people as unworthy of care and life.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should know by now that George Floyd was killed by a cop over an alleged counterfeit $20 bill. He died over $20. Fun fact. I personally know someone (White) who tried to buy food at McDonald’s with a $20 bill that happened to be counterfeit. They didn’t know until the cashier told them and gave them the option to pay with a card. Guess what? They’re still alive.

Why did he have to die over $20? Why is it ok to call the cops on us for just existing in our skin? And if you don’t think it happens, here’s a list:

• BBQ Becky called the police on a Black family having a cookout at a park
• A Black college student at Yale had the university police called on her because she was taking a nap
• While checking out of their AirBnb, these Black friends had the cops called because the neighbors thought they were robbing the place
• While bird-watching in Central Park, Amy Cooper thought it would be a good idea to call the police and LIE about being threatened by a Black man because he asked her to leash her dog
• Two Black men were arrested for sitting at Starbucks for a business meeting
• Permit Patty called the police on a Black 8-year old girl selling water on a hot day
• Tamir Rice, a Black 12 year old, was killed by police at a park where he was playing with a toy gun.

This is just a drop in the bucket. If you think calling the police was justified in these situations, replace the word Black in each of these situations with the word White. If you think they’re now ridiculous, congratulations. You’re a part of the problem.

When do I explain to my son that he has to be careful? He’s only six. His biggest concerns should be about Minecraft, and how much screen time he can weasel out of me this summer. Instead, my husband and I are going to have to sit him down and explain to him how to handle the police. I can already hear him - “But the police are supposed to help you when you’re in trouble.”

They are, baby. But they aren’t here to help people like us.

Think about this. Do you have to teach your sons about how to handle police interactions? Do you worry about getting pulled over? What about walking around with your gun on your hip or in your car? Do you have to do things to diminish yourself so that you aren’t seen as a threat? If not, you’re a person of racial privilege.

Now, how do you use that privilege to help the people who don’t have it?

1. Speak up when you see injustice. Don’t just walk by. Question the police. Use your voice.
2. Believe us when we say that there’s a problem. Don’t dismiss us by saying “all lives matter.” We don’t think we matter more. We just want to matter as much as you.
3. Put your money where your mouth is. Support us financially in this fight. Your privilege alone allows you to make more money than we do for doing the same work.
4. When the madness dies down, continue speaking up. People will listen to you!
5. If your organization doesn’t have employee resource groups dedicated to raising awareness of minority groups, advocate for those to be developed and participate in the groups as an ally.

Listen, we are tired. Being Black in America is exhausting. We don’t want to be exhausted. We just want to live.