Understanding

While perusing social media today I came across an article discussing the murder of Daunte Wright. The focal point of the story was the resignation of the officer that shot him and the investigation into how the “deadly accident” occurred.

I have a habit of going through the comments after reading a post – it’s my belief that they afford me a glimpse into the mindset of people from varying backgrounds. There’s so much more to the world than the Philly state of mind – ha, that’s funny considering………..

Stepping away from the feelings of an angry black woman for a moment, I can vehemently state that my heart breaks for the mother grieving the loss of her child! The death is devastating for her – the circumstances surrounding the loss are unbearable. While her heart is shattered into pieces, the bloodshed of her son has sparked debates on if he should have resisted and if his record justified the shooting.

Disclaimer: it is my belief that no one should ever be pulled over for a traffic violation and end up dead! If this statement bothers you my thought tonight isn’t for you!

In recent months we’ve seen a mass shooting in Georgia and another in Colorado, in both instances the shooters were apprehended. In the not so distant past we’ve had people killed in churches, and again arrest were made. We’ve also seen a marathon bombed, and yup another arrest – but for some odd reason traffic stops keep ending in murder?!….

I want to understand, but not at the expense of a grieving family. I want to understand, but not at the expense of riots and city wide destruction. I want to understand, but not at the expense of accepting this as a way of life.

One of the comments I read said: Daunte had an outstanding warrant for a gun charge, knowing the threat the police reacted accordingly.  I questioned if the outstanding warrant was a threat – because a cop was killed in Colorado and the killer was arrested. I want to understand!

Another comment spoke to police being human and possessing a degree of fear that makes them vulnerable – I’d imagine the insurgence on the Capitol being a tense situation. I want to understand!

I get it! I know why I don’t understand!My level of understanding is compromised by the lack of understanding shown towards life loss, black lives loss. This can’t be life and until change is realized, I will never understand!

LORD GIVE ME A SIGN

The world received word that Earl “DMX” Simmons passed away and it hurt. The Gen X and Millennial generations felt a pain that could only be soothed by the sound of his voice, so they turned to his music.

If you grew up in Philadelphia during the years of the “Greek Picnic” you’re not a stranger to the ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem”. It was released in 1998 but has the same relevance today. “Stop, Drop, Shut em’ down, open up shop. Oh No” …… that’s all it took – that’s all it takes.

Throughout the years DMX gave the world multiple hits, his raspy voice and signature growl spoke of the demons he battled, demons that ultimately became too much for him to overcome: it hurts because we witnessed the struggle from the sidelines and prayed for him to win.

We’ve been in this space before, the area of losing greatness to battles against addiction – some we watched unravel, some suffered in silence, each one stung.

When Whitney Houston passed away I questioned how many of us have relatives in the midst of the struggle that we’ve turned a deaf ear to. When her daughter Bobbi Kristina died I asked how many times are we going to post “RIP” without acknowledging addiction is real.

Gerald Levert, Michael Jackson, Prince, Rick James, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, etc .. etc .. we’re continually being robbed of talents the world benefitted from – and then there’s those without name recognition.

We have to stop viewing addiction as a choice and start treating it like an illness! Until we do this families will continue to lose a link, RIP will continue to trend on social media, and we’ll continue to feel the hurt caused by the loss of sons and daughters, known and unknown.

I took time off to grieve the loss of an icon. For solace I went to “Lord Give Me A Sign” – in the words of DMX, “I really need ta’ talk to you Lord – Since the last time we talked, the walk has been hard
Now I know you haven’t left me, but I feel like I’m alone” …..