Righteous Anger?

My Day
By Dr. J. Ester Davis

Bridge Too Far Roll Call:  Christian Cooper, Amaud Arbery, Bothem Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, Johnathan Ferrell, Remisha McBride, Stephon Clark, Jordan Edwards, Jordan Davis, Alton Sterling, Alyana Jones, Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Charleston 9, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Corney Jones, John Crawford, Terrence Crutcher, Keith Scott, Clifford Glover, Claude Reese, Randy Evans, Yvonne Smallwood, Amado Diallo, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, George Floyd. 

Adding Ennis Cosby, who was murdered in 1997.  He was shot in the head by Mikhail Markhasev and the murder is still an open wound among some journalist in the Los Angeles area.  There are mounting theories backed up with evidence to this day as to whether it was a failed robbery or an admitted murder of a ‘n—–‘.. Quote.  Unquote.

African Americans over fifty seriously have to think about righteous anger.  It has been thirty(30)years since Rodney King, where the numbers of blows to his body by several police officers were counted. The assassination of Dr. King was in 1968 where over 6,000 troops were deployed after his death.  There are stories. And stories. And stories over so many years.  There are maids, chauffeurs and maintenance workers who have gone to their graves with stories inside.  There are funeral directors, grave diggers, clergy who are alive and/or sleeping in their graves with stories too unbearable to think about and recall.  There are mothers, teachers, barbers and beauty stylists, shine kings with stories too vivid for words to adequately describe about open murder/abuse of black men.

As African Americans, we have two pandemics in our midst.  Racism and COVID-19.  Which one is the deadliest? Or are they conjoined at the hip. In the case of Mr. George Floyd, as loudly sad as it is, is a movie we have seen too many times.  The credits are the same. The starring roles are the same. The District Attorneys are hidden from view. The carefully toned scripted sentiments are the same. The color of high ranking authority is the same. The media coverage is a re run with a mask on this time around. Phrases like “I can understand/feel the pain”.  “This must stop!” “So frustrating”.  “What are your thoughts”.  “We are all in this together”.  The worst statement ever.  The issue is not the number of arrests made in each American City.  The issue is not the protesting, looting, and breaking of police windows.  The issue nor answer is a curfew. But we spend hours spinning the same subject about the protesters on the streets while omitting the protesters in government buildings and corporate headquarters.

On Friday evening, Day Two of the protests in Dallas, I went Downtown Dallas, Main Street District.

The very first thing I noticed was ‘huge news’ in my notes. An unmistakable multicultural march.  Diversed is what America is today.  That is a powerful American Portrait to the world. And the world is watching.  I talked to two groups of youth downtown for the march. They mainly lived in the metroplex cities, from Cedar Hill to Allen, Texas. And from Texas A&M Commerce to Grapevine.  Not out of state as is falsely emphasized too often.  Their answers to my questions were polite and filled with purpose.  But the main event unfortunately is always predominately the death of a black man.

I have discussed the issues.  So, what is the proposed solution.  There are two solutions.  An Executive Order by State Governors to ban all choke holds by American Police swore to serve and protect.  And with the two credible autopsies results announced to the public, indict all for first degree murder of George Floyd and move to trial.  These are the issues in one breath.

Esterdavis2000@gmail.com
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