I cannot remain silent in the wake of the unconscionable attacks on our black men and women under the guise of legalism! Many of these attacks have led to the premature deaths of innocent people. I never thought that I would reach a “tipping point” in my life where I would react so negatively toward some of our law enforcement agents. These agents have pledged to uphold this country’s laws, but they have despicably and maliciously used their badges to perpetrate atrocious acts against innocent blacks and other minority groups. Why would a law enforcement agent stop a car with a broken taillight, and repeatedly shoot the car’s occupant without provocation?
I feel particularly vulnerable during these difficult and trying times. Not only are we domestically and internationally susceptible to life-threatening dangers from ISIS, but we our faced with life-threatening dangers from law enforcement agents on the streets of our own cities and towns.
National and international tensions are high! In tandem with our need to be vigilant when traveling domestically or internationally, the Nation’s political future does not look promising.
Something needs to be done to address the blatant murder of our black men and women. “Black Lives” must matter, and it is encumbered upon our citizenry to make sure that “Black Lives” and all lives are safe. This can be accomplished, in part, by ensuring that perpetrators (cloaked in the color of blue) who maliciously murder our black men and women are fully prosecuted by honest, truly judicious, and unbiased justice systems regardless of the perpetrators’ political, social, or financial status!
Yes, “Black Lives Matter,” and all lives matter. We need to remember and sincerely live the fundamental foundation of the Constitution, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves…” The word “We” in the Constitution needs to include black people, brown people, yellow people, red people, white people, and “all people,” because all are precious in God’s sight. This country needs a new mantra … Let’s start taking care of each other.
Dr. David Richardson, Sr.
Dr. Hyman's African American Culture Review 