"Baltimore, Freddie Gray, and The Post-Uprising"
As I was running the channels on my TV trying to find a game or something to watch, a headline immediately caught my eye. On what is considered by myself to be my least favorite channel on TV: Fox News gave a "statistic" that was supposed to be made to shame all inner-city Baltimore and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Although, without this being said; I know every person will agree with me that Fox is just a channel for those with conservative and/or radical views. Further, their main purpose is to try to tear-down or make those in "inner-city" communities as well as those who champion for people in "inner-city" communities look stupid, kill the character, and make their very opinion look inaccurate.
Anyway, your probably saying well if you know that this is their views then why bring it up? These are people who argue against free "education" for crying out loud.
However, I bring up what the report/headline said because of the simple fact that this needs to be said. Anyway, the statistics was that Baltimore has had its highest killing rates in 43 years. Now, I know has had problems. However, for mainstream media once again to do inaccurate reporting; I feel it is up to me to bring clarity and commonsense.
First, I can not argue the statistic that was published by Fox and many other outlets. However, as someone who has at least some knowledge and a great amount of common sense; I can say this. Numbers don't lie, but actions don't lie as well. And, if I was a betting Young Brother; I would 9 times out of ten bet action over numbers. For actions are truly a look into the soul and root of a problem. Whereas, numbers are just statistics or letters on a page.
Therefore; in this posting I will discuss how I think we got to this point, the problem at hand, and who is out in Baltimore actively changing this statistic.
I believe it is Newton's Law that says "For every action, there is a reaction." Although, many may state that this notion was based on science; I will argue that to understand and/or dissect life you must use science. Now, if every action has a reaction; I can't help but at least connect the death of Mr. Freddie Gray to the record number of death we see in Baltimore.
Further, I think it was a great philosopher who said that "it is no one more powerful than a man who back is against the wall." A man who feels powerless. That one word in the last sentence has me constantly thinking: POWERLESS.
I can only think about how I felt doing Freddie Gray's Death; now image how powerless one would feel if it happened in your city. With no power to really change things, your mind becomes blurry, heck reality becomes blurry. To truly feel powerless is to feel like ones back is against the wall, it feels like not just one human beings; but life has stabbed you in the back. Therefore, when I see this statistic I see a city that is hurting beyond measure. A see wounds that can't be healed. And, last I see a system that maybe has a different name or statue,; but is all the same. It cares more about broken windows in stores; then broken, busted, and outdated "windows" in local "urban" schools. It boils down to caring more about the windows of capitalism and money; then the small (have to aid, before it closes), short windows of a innocent child that must be nourished by education and love before they too windows be broken.
I believe it was Frederick Douglass that said
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men"
Therefore, that's what I see when I read this sad statistic. I see broken men that feel powerless in a fight that has gone on for too long. I see broken people who because of the "system" were treated as less than a window (which is much less than 3/5 Human). I see a people who have been robbed of a precious necessity as education or more importantly a "carefree" childhood.
Therefore, this is the problem. Not guns, not the hot weather, school being out, not a instinct in "all" men to "survive." Although, these are strong contributions, this is not the true problem. The true problem is TIME.
Time has not healed all wounds, time has not brought equal rights or equal education. Time has not brought Us a piece of the American Pie. Because for almost the 500th year in a row, like the greatest poet of all-time so accurately stated (we are) "Refugees in America."
Therefore, time may have granted Us residence; but not citizenship. Time has yet to grant Us the right to be Black In America.
However, I guess I can't be totally unoptimistic. Because, out of every situation; one man or people arise out of the ashes of the fire. Out of the chaos of the storm. Out of the dirt from the very ditch that they buried, a people in. From that comes a group; who are striving to change the events at hand. The very events that the media vultures see no headline from anymore. From the very events that even "WE'' have forgotten about because we are now fighting a yet another fight, in a different city that has come about because once again the punishment is too high for simply being a "refugee." These brave men that have arise to clean up the disaster and chaos from events not even brought upon by Us. The brave group are the "300 Men March."
As always I response when we face tragedy, but I also celebrate when we are actively changing the community. The program and group that I want to highlight is a community organized group called the 300 Men March. I discovered this organized Grass-root group on Twitter. The group is a movement of Men and Women in Baltimore, Maryland united to fight against the very statistic that I stated in the beginning of this post. On their website they say, that "We are citizens, fed up with current accepted patterns of violence in our community. We exist to fulfill our mission. Our mission is to decrease gun violence."
This group is amazing because, they are taking the community into their own hands. They are not just talking about change, but actively trying to bring positive change. On their website it says they choose a different corner to deliver their message. This is a incredible group that needs to be highlighted and honored. The only other thing I wish is that I was in Baltimore with them right now. As I am writing this post, they are probably out their spreading the word and bringing about change.
I highlight this because, as I said someone will always come along to pick up the pieces that chaos and hate have worked so hard to destroy.
Powerlessness and inaction will be the victory for those who make it their mission to oppress Us. However, with hard work and visibility we can change any situation; turning it for advancement and better days.
Therefore, as I saw that very headline come across my screen; I knew that it was incomplete and inaccurate. I knew that for bees to attack you must first mess with their home. Baltimore has been messed with, Baltimore has been tarnished, Baltimore has been oppressed. However, what brings change and greatness is what you do in the face of adversity.
In closing, Prays as well as Peace to Baltimore; may your struggles never be forgotten and your change/equality come quick. Salute to the 300 Men March, may much success come from your actions. Last, RIP to Freddie Gray: Rest In Power My Brother.
Sincerely,
The Brown Brother
As I was running the channels on my TV trying to find a game or something to watch, a headline immediately caught my eye. On what is considered by myself to be my least favorite channel on TV: Fox News gave a "statistic" that was supposed to be made to shame all inner-city Baltimore and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Although, without this being said; I know every person will agree with me that Fox is just a channel for those with conservative and/or radical views. Further, their main purpose is to try to tear-down or make those in "inner-city" communities as well as those who champion for people in "inner-city" communities look stupid, kill the character, and make their very opinion look inaccurate.
Anyway, your probably saying well if you know that this is their views then why bring it up? These are people who argue against free "education" for crying out loud.
However, I bring up what the report/headline said because of the simple fact that this needs to be said. Anyway, the statistics was that Baltimore has had its highest killing rates in 43 years. Now, I know has had problems. However, for mainstream media once again to do inaccurate reporting; I feel it is up to me to bring clarity and commonsense.
First, I can not argue the statistic that was published by Fox and many other outlets. However, as someone who has at least some knowledge and a great amount of common sense; I can say this. Numbers don't lie, but actions don't lie as well. And, if I was a betting Young Brother; I would 9 times out of ten bet action over numbers. For actions are truly a look into the soul and root of a problem. Whereas, numbers are just statistics or letters on a page.
Therefore; in this posting I will discuss how I think we got to this point, the problem at hand, and who is out in Baltimore actively changing this statistic.
I believe it is Newton's Law that says "For every action, there is a reaction." Although, many may state that this notion was based on science; I will argue that to understand and/or dissect life you must use science. Now, if every action has a reaction; I can't help but at least connect the death of Mr. Freddie Gray to the record number of death we see in Baltimore.
Further, I think it was a great philosopher who said that "it is no one more powerful than a man who back is against the wall." A man who feels powerless. That one word in the last sentence has me constantly thinking: POWERLESS.
I can only think about how I felt doing Freddie Gray's Death; now image how powerless one would feel if it happened in your city. With no power to really change things, your mind becomes blurry, heck reality becomes blurry. To truly feel powerless is to feel like ones back is against the wall, it feels like not just one human beings; but life has stabbed you in the back. Therefore, when I see this statistic I see a city that is hurting beyond measure. A see wounds that can't be healed. And, last I see a system that maybe has a different name or statue,; but is all the same. It cares more about broken windows in stores; then broken, busted, and outdated "windows" in local "urban" schools. It boils down to caring more about the windows of capitalism and money; then the small (have to aid, before it closes), short windows of a innocent child that must be nourished by education and love before they too windows be broken.
I believe it was Frederick Douglass that said
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men"
Therefore, that's what I see when I read this sad statistic. I see broken men that feel powerless in a fight that has gone on for too long. I see broken people who because of the "system" were treated as less than a window (which is much less than 3/5 Human). I see a people who have been robbed of a precious necessity as education or more importantly a "carefree" childhood.
Therefore, this is the problem. Not guns, not the hot weather, school being out, not a instinct in "all" men to "survive." Although, these are strong contributions, this is not the true problem. The true problem is TIME.
Time has not healed all wounds, time has not brought equal rights or equal education. Time has not brought Us a piece of the American Pie. Because for almost the 500th year in a row, like the greatest poet of all-time so accurately stated (we are) "Refugees in America."
Therefore, time may have granted Us residence; but not citizenship. Time has yet to grant Us the right to be Black In America.
However, I guess I can't be totally unoptimistic. Because, out of every situation; one man or people arise out of the ashes of the fire. Out of the chaos of the storm. Out of the dirt from the very ditch that they buried, a people in. From that comes a group; who are striving to change the events at hand. The very events that the media vultures see no headline from anymore. From the very events that even "WE'' have forgotten about because we are now fighting a yet another fight, in a different city that has come about because once again the punishment is too high for simply being a "refugee." These brave men that have arise to clean up the disaster and chaos from events not even brought upon by Us. The brave group are the "300 Men March."
As always I response when we face tragedy, but I also celebrate when we are actively changing the community. The program and group that I want to highlight is a community organized group called the 300 Men March. I discovered this organized Grass-root group on Twitter. The group is a movement of Men and Women in Baltimore, Maryland united to fight against the very statistic that I stated in the beginning of this post. On their website they say, that "We are citizens, fed up with current accepted patterns of violence in our community. We exist to fulfill our mission. Our mission is to decrease gun violence."
This group is amazing because, they are taking the community into their own hands. They are not just talking about change, but actively trying to bring positive change. On their website it says they choose a different corner to deliver their message. This is a incredible group that needs to be highlighted and honored. The only other thing I wish is that I was in Baltimore with them right now. As I am writing this post, they are probably out their spreading the word and bringing about change.
I highlight this because, as I said someone will always come along to pick up the pieces that chaos and hate have worked so hard to destroy.
Powerlessness and inaction will be the victory for those who make it their mission to oppress Us. However, with hard work and visibility we can change any situation; turning it for advancement and better days.
Therefore, as I saw that very headline come across my screen; I knew that it was incomplete and inaccurate. I knew that for bees to attack you must first mess with their home. Baltimore has been messed with, Baltimore has been tarnished, Baltimore has been oppressed. However, what brings change and greatness is what you do in the face of adversity.
In closing, Prays as well as Peace to Baltimore; may your struggles never be forgotten and your change/equality come quick. Salute to the 300 Men March, may much success come from your actions. Last, RIP to Freddie Gray: Rest In Power My Brother.
Sincerely,
The Brown Brother
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