Response to the Grand Jury
On November 24, myself and the rest of the world heard the news that Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted for the murder of Black teen Michael Brown. Had Officer Wilson been indicted, a trial would commence allowing him to be judged guilty or not guilty by a jury.
I sat and listened to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch open his remarks with words that already seemed apologetic. I already knew but I was waiting to hear the words from the horses mouth. "There was no evidence revealing probable cause to indict officer Wilson." My heart sank low as I saw the reaction of Ferguson on the tv screen.
Officer Darren Wilson is a free man, and I am hurt. I am angry. Was justice served here? No it was not. Are our law systems flawed? I cannot say because I do not know the law. Just because I watch SVU doesn't mean I know the ins and outs of our judicial system or proper police protocol.
What I do know is that Michael Brown should not have been murdered in cold blood. There is no way Darren Wilson could've been threatened by an unarmed Mike Brown who stood 100 plus feet away with his hands up.
We were here last year with Trayvon Martin. We put faith in our justice system to defend the life of a young black man who wrestled until his last breath. Last night we put faith in our justice system to defend the life of a young black man who surrendered until his last breath.
It seems as if whether we fight back or not, black lives do not matter in our court rooms. We are learning that an African American can die in vain without justice.
I am hurt, because I watched a mother scream in agony while she heard the news that her son's murderer will be a free man. The same blood that runs through her veins has stained the hands of Officer Wilson and he is free. This is painful to think about.
What I am most angry about is the response from our own people.
"If we must change, we must change ourselves. Pull up your pants, go to school, stop listening to rap, get your act together."
How someone chooses to dress doesn't not determine whether or not they deserve to be shot down! Wearing a suit does not mean you are immune to the conditions of being black. Educator, professor, philosopher Dr. Cornell West was arrested during the Ferguson protests, Malcolm X and Dr. King wore suits everyday and were both murdered. Everyone deserves to live! Stop giving us a manual we must abide by in order to stay alive! There are no terms and conditions we must follow that guarantees our right to live! You are sending the wrong message!
Who are we to tell someone how to live to stay alive. People are climbing the Brooklyn Bridge, shooting up movie theaters, murdering their entire families, waving guns in the air in open public, BREAKING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE and are STILL breathing. While black lives are holding hair brushes, talking in staircases, holding cans of juice, whistling at women, standing with their hands up and are all dead. This is not right!
I've had a heavy heart since last night. I've been trying to find the silver lining in this situation. But I am deeply saddened and angered by the Grand Jury's decision.
That's all I have to say.
What were your reactions to the Grand Jury's decision? Comment below!
- Evelyn
I sat and listened to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch open his remarks with words that already seemed apologetic. I already knew but I was waiting to hear the words from the horses mouth. "There was no evidence revealing probable cause to indict officer Wilson." My heart sank low as I saw the reaction of Ferguson on the tv screen.
Officer Darren Wilson is a free man, and I am hurt. I am angry. Was justice served here? No it was not. Are our law systems flawed? I cannot say because I do not know the law. Just because I watch SVU doesn't mean I know the ins and outs of our judicial system or proper police protocol.
What I do know is that Michael Brown should not have been murdered in cold blood. There is no way Darren Wilson could've been threatened by an unarmed Mike Brown who stood 100 plus feet away with his hands up.
We were here last year with Trayvon Martin. We put faith in our justice system to defend the life of a young black man who wrestled until his last breath. Last night we put faith in our justice system to defend the life of a young black man who surrendered until his last breath.
It seems as if whether we fight back or not, black lives do not matter in our court rooms. We are learning that an African American can die in vain without justice.
I am hurt, because I watched a mother scream in agony while she heard the news that her son's murderer will be a free man. The same blood that runs through her veins has stained the hands of Officer Wilson and he is free. This is painful to think about.
What I am most angry about is the response from our own people.
"If we must change, we must change ourselves. Pull up your pants, go to school, stop listening to rap, get your act together."
How someone chooses to dress doesn't not determine whether or not they deserve to be shot down! Wearing a suit does not mean you are immune to the conditions of being black. Educator, professor, philosopher Dr. Cornell West was arrested during the Ferguson protests, Malcolm X and Dr. King wore suits everyday and were both murdered. Everyone deserves to live! Stop giving us a manual we must abide by in order to stay alive! There are no terms and conditions we must follow that guarantees our right to live! You are sending the wrong message!
Who are we to tell someone how to live to stay alive. People are climbing the Brooklyn Bridge, shooting up movie theaters, murdering their entire families, waving guns in the air in open public, BREAKING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE and are STILL breathing. While black lives are holding hair brushes, talking in staircases, holding cans of juice, whistling at women, standing with their hands up and are all dead. This is not right!
I've had a heavy heart since last night. I've been trying to find the silver lining in this situation. But I am deeply saddened and angered by the Grand Jury's decision.
That's all I have to say.
What were your reactions to the Grand Jury's decision? Comment below!
- Evelyn