Sometimes I choose not to watch the news.
Plagued by deceit, destruction and death, it isn't something I can stomach every day. Since the year started, I've been getting my news sporadically, some of it has been good, and some of it bad. Israel is bombing the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of civilians in the process. Sasha and Malia go off to their new school...
Two nights ago was the start of it.
A 65 year old man critically injured in a hit and run accident is still fighting for his life, three weeks later. His son is speaking out. You can see his pain. Willie McCargo was on his way to get a haircut for his nephew’s funeral. A 14 year old boy gunned down while delivering fruit to an elderly neighbor. How much tragedy can one family have to face, I wonder. Mr. McCargo had tire tracks on his shirt. "An animal deserves more respect than my father was given.." says his son. The police don't have any leads... (http://www.wbaltv.com/news/18428540/detail.html?rss=bal&psp=news)
Today, a facebook friend asked if I was attending the funeral of someone that went to my high school. I asked how he died... shot. I did a quick search.
"Family of Baltimore's First Murder Victim Speaks"
Mario Williams, 31, is killed while escorting a drunk patron out of Rumors Bar & Grill, an establishment in East Baltimore that he bought with his girlfriend a year ago. They were celebrating one year in a community which they'd already begun to support by holding back-to-school drives, toy drives, and giving away turkeys for the holidays. Apparently, a member of the community took it upon themselves to say thank you with a bullet to the back of the head. (http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story/mario-williams-murder-east-baltimore-rumors-1s/aeaIPVASW0-d1tMsceaidQ.cspx?rss=702)
I left local news and went national. The big story is the Oakland police shooting and the riots. In the age of cell phone cameras and streaming video... you would think...
I had to see for myself. Could it be? A cop shoots a man laying face down in a subway station in front of dozens of witnesses... There's something else to the story right... no. Not really. Oscar Grant was murdered on New Year's morning. 22 year old Oscar Grant, member of Palma Ceia Baptist Church since a child, choir member, part of the church's Royal Ambassador Program, protective younger brother, proud father.. shot in the back while another officer's knee was nestled in his neck. This isn't just an allegation. There's clear video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idJAr6NUy3E&feature=related). A week later, no charges have been filed and the officer has resigned.
Yes, I’m angry. And hurt.
Black on Black...
Police involved Shootings
In my circle of friends we wonder aloud. "What's wrong with people?" It's a way of life we think we're removed from... this is what happens when life is given little regard. No value. The question is, can you ever truly be removed from it? You're educated, have a career, friends, maybe more. But you also want to go out, have a nice time. Be social. Baltimore's almost in double digit murders and it's only the 8th day of January.
In 12 days, the first black president will be sworn into office. So many of us have such high hopes. I'm not at all saying that things won't change. I do believe that our society will improve. But there is a state of mind that needs to change first. A sense of pride needs to be born (or reborn) into a portion of people that have lost it. We have more than enough history to learn from and build on. We have to be better, but to get better we must see the value in ourselves and our fellow man.
There has got to be a way...
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4 comments:
Lanie, I couldn't agree with u more. We need to continue to pray for peace. The world is out of control!!!
Is it bad that this doesn't surprise me one bit? Am I so jaded about law enforcement that I truly beileve it's the norm and not an exception?
I know 99% of law enforcement really works hard to protect and serve, but you know what, I still have zero expectations of them if I need them. Any response would be a plus in my book. I'd rather cross the street than acknowledge any cop of any kind regardless of the situation (sorry for those with friends and family as cops...I've got them too. But I don't know your fam, so I'm avoiding them, black, white, or brown...doesn't matter). And I've had my ridiculous run ins with them that I could detail, but they are comparatively insignificant given the nature of this incident.
What a world! At the end of the day though, I can only control what I can and do me; and doing me involves being relatively carefree while embracing commitments and responsibilities, living, loving, laughing, being happy, and providing happiness to others. Evil doers be damned!
Do you realize that I just read your blog after not doing so for a while and I am mad at myself for missing out? You junk is mad vivid! A lot of ups and downs with you apparently lately. Either way I hope you are doing well.
Okay about your posting, I think we are witnessing one of the most severe moral declines in recorded history. We should blame those who voted for "W". We are loosing the ability to properly police ourselves which is essential for state to survive. The economy is reducing people to complete anarchy. Which is sad. Expect more bad news and hope and pray it doesn't reach one of yours.
I don't think you can ever really be removed from it, unless you grew up on a farm in rural middle America and still live there. I grew up with the girlfriend of the bar owner who was shot and went to school & worked with a guy who was shot and killed by the police in late 2008. I have been guilty of having a caviler attitude about watch my surroundings even though I live in the city, but as the murders are now outpacing the number of days in the year I am more and more afraid.
Mostly what bothers me about all this is the number of teenagers that are being killed in Baltimore. it has gotten way out of hand and while the media is focused on counting the numbers and theft by the "Mayor" the children keep dying. I feel hopeless and powerless about it all. I am so numb that the saying "the best thing I can do for the poor, is not to become one," is so fitting my attitude right now.
The whole Obama thing is WONDERFUL, but he cannot fix these problems that are so on a grassroots level. It's so grassroots that the "Mayor" cannot do much to fix it. People need to take more responsibility for themselves and their children. Of course this does not apply to the victims of the news stories you mentioned, but it does apply to those who committed those awful acts.
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