Wake Up! We Are All the Same
What will it take…
I have been prompted by Henery X (long) and then nudged by Trista Ainsworth to share my thoughts.
Henery wrote his article prior to the riots and Trista since.
What interesting times we live in. As if a pandemic wasn’t enough, let’s add another senseless death of a black man by a police officer into the mix…
…and not by gun, but by suffocation. Just as those struggling with the virus. Gasping for air, unable to breathe.
I can’t believe that George Floyd is another victim — how in this day and age is that even possible?! Whiskey — Tango — Foxtrot.
My father was a retired Chicago police officer working the youth division. On the force for 27 years. I was raised by a police officer, but I was never a “Cop’s kid”. Never even heard the term until I was older and was accused of being one.
Labels and judgments…
I was raised by my parents to be respectful and to never embarrass my father. I wasn’t the kid who did wrong and then my dad got me off. To me, that’s just wrong.
My father was someone who looked to serve and protect — and did just that. He would share that IF ever in danger IF an officer had to shoot, it was to wound — not to kill. (my dad never shot anyone- he worked with peace)
A shot to bring them down (again IF needed) for the arrest where higher powers and a court system would decide the punishment.
We seem to be missing that step…that big important step…
My dad didn’t judge color or gender. In fact, in the late 1960’s he started a basketball team for black girls at a west side high school. There was a lot of focus on helping the boys, my dad wanted to help the girls.
Give the ladies a chance to shine. And they did! Made it to a champion game.
I have shared in other articles that we are all the same. We are all drops from the same body of water. When are we going to start treating each other with respect?
You can say that it’s Black Lives Matter against Blue Lives Matter. Though I just stated we are all the same, to pool everyone together into two groups is just not right. There will always be a few ‘bad seeds’ surrounded by many, many good people.
Labels and judgments…
To me, it’s not race or employment but ignorance that should be the focus.
My heart goes out to George Floyd’s family, community, and the other black men that fear they could be next…
My heart goes out to all the officers who, like my father, are looking to be of service not of destruction, as they fear for their safety.
My heart goes into spreading the word of ignorance and how we need to stop this insanity!
My hope is that police departments will have a better system for screening their candidates. And also support their employees who have issues. Get them off the streets and in programs for help, when needed.
The system is broken — my heart goes out to so many…
With tears in my eyes, I ask — What’s going on….
We’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today…
Here is Henery’s insightful article:
And Trista’s heartbreaking article:
Until next time ~
Sending you light love — and peace…
Be Well,
