The day #Ferguson changed the conversation

Life has changed for so many. 

Yes, this can happen anywhere. But I can currently only speak on what I’m experiencing in my city on the tenth day of injustice. 

Also read “Courage will not skip this generation” and “The other side of Ferguson“.

 

 

At the heart of this situation is the Brown family whom no longer have their loved one to talk to and hug on. There’s an “exclusive yet growing group of parents and relatives who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence;” this from Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin. She knows all too well the pain this family is enduring at the moment. [Read more here.] 

The family has shown up to many peaceful protests, rallies, and forums in which they expressed their thanks for those coming together in seek of justice and a change in our country in so many ways.

 

 

 

“We need to have more of a national conversation,” spoke Brian Williams of NBC’s Nightly News in an interview once in the city limits.

 

 

This murder occurred in part of a district where I graduated high school.

From 1997-2000 I attended McCluer North High School, 5 miles away from what’s being called “ground zero.” During these years, McCluer South had not yet built it’s foundation and the residents of Ferguson, Florissant, Kinloch, and Berkeley attended school together. That was my stomping ground for years.

In addition to that, I grew up, for the most part in and around the Normandy area, 3 miles away from “ground zero.” My family in this immediate area are having to reroute their travel plans from day to day depending on the atmosphere of the area and can often hear choppers traveling into Ferguson while fearing the possibility of looters coming closer to their street. How often do you have to avoid an area because tear gas is being thrown and major streets are cut off? This is a first for me. But please know, I’m not making this about me.

 

While I totally understand some in other cities may not feel as directly affected as those of us just a few miles from “ground zero” in ‪#‎Ferguson‬, I must say this isn’t a time to practice silence. This has changed so many of us and we will never forget this experience.

It’s a-okay if you’re quiet on social media sites for your personal reasons. Being vocal online isn’t the end all. “Tweets that aren’t connected to a movement can lead one to falsely believe they’ve done enough. I need to put my money where my tweets are, ” said Talib Kweli via twitter on Aug. 17 (He says he will be here today!)

 

My kinda-jumbled notes from the Peace Rally at Greater Grace on Sunday, August 17.

I get it that some are tired of talking about this, but how can I remain silent when this has been on my television or computer night after night since August 9?

…and when I’ve been there helping countless others clean after agitators caused harm?

…and when I’ve assisted my family and friends with donations to the area?

…and when I’ve peacefully protested and participated in rallies with local and national leaders and regular folks like me who just want to see justice?

…and when I’ve watched local news get cut off by major corporations (Charter Communications and Dish Network) to neighborhoods amidst the tragedy, therefore preventing them from staying up to date except by social media?

…and when I personally know people affected by the main streets which are at times arbitrarily cut off not only in Ferguson but in surrounding counties as tear gas is thrown on front lawns, (how often do you have to change your route to and fro’ due to hundreds of police and protesters taking over the street)?

…and lastly, how can I remain silent and just move on as if nothing has happened when school has been cancelled for some in the area for the rest of the week!?!? The educator in me is sad but I understand a violable situation isn’t safe for children.

What can we do, you ask?

 

Be part of the solution.

Everyone wants solutions, but we must be prepared to take the steps to get to better.

Go to your district reps to request police canvas, drive, and walk the communities. They need to be involved in the neighborhoods in which they work, have sensitivity trainings with the police officers, and should be involved in the schools.

Speak up in meetings to organize a change in your community.

Be active in mentoring youth on an ongoing basis.

Help get the community involved with each other. 

Educate our youth on the law. (Heck, shoot me a few links in which to gain more knowledge!)

Act upon your right to vote and take others with you!

That’s my little brother y’all!! #proudmoment

Speak out to organizations you support and ensure they’re getting into the streets and working with the community (be it church, secular foundations, or whatever).

Parents, PARENT. [and consider this]

Teachers, TEACH.

Preachers, PREACH.

 

BE SEEN.

This isn’t a matter in which we can remain silent and wait for it to pass over.

Got some time??

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5kIVZ3vbYc&list=UUUG9eopZYuH6Rhp1QEXrymg’]

Start this one somewhere around the 5th minute to pick up where you left off.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpyWI2Ad9A&list=UUUG9eopZYuH6Rhp1QEXrymg’]

Be the change you want to see in others and let’s hold one another accountable. And please know, while this is disheartening and many are losing sleep in and around this area due to working excessive hours (police, news reporters, avid activists, etc.) and others souls cry out for the family of Mike Brown and the lack of justice for those wronged everywhere, SOME GOOD HAS ALREADY COME OF THIS TRAGEDY.

 

People pulled together and cancelled plans to clean the streets of Ferguson.

 

Tibetan Monks in support of the injustice for Mike Brown. 

 

Jesse Jackson showed up on Ferguson Rd. Friday, Aug. 15 during a peaceful protest to speak to the people and he did a quick interview with news affiliate present at the time. 

 

Several hundred waited outside of Greater Grace in St. Louis for a peace rally, while hundreds more packed inside (I got there 30 minutes early and it was already standing room only).

 

Day 9. Unity.

 

 

There will come a time when the national media and celebrities shedding light on the issues go home.

Life will go on as usual for some.

HOWEVER…

The family will still grieve.

People will still need jobs.

Children will still need ways to remain active. 

Political decisions will still require your discernment.

What will you do then?

‪#‎staywoke‬

Photo credits: myself, Iamhandsome Rob, Adrian O. Walker, Vandalyzm, @Nettaaaaaaaa, Robert Cohen, live stream feed from Argus Radio.

PS. I may be silent on here for a spell. I will get back to posting as usual very soon. Just need some processing time. You have to know when you have a lot on your plate. 🙂 Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. And please remember: