I have had the unique opportunity to serve as a commentator on CNN/HLN and other television networks and radio stations on legal cases and social issues that are of particular interest to the plight of African-Americans and more particularly African-American men. Presently, I’ve been offering my thoughts on the death of Michael Brown and the unrest in Ferguson, MO.
I’m passionate about my views and my opinions because I’m passionate about my community. Actually, I’m frustrated, in pain, physically and emotionally exhausted. Yearning for understanding and change. Sometimes, I yell. I’m ok with that.
Others are not. You should see my Twitter feed, comments to my Instagram and Facebook posts. All kinds of people (I think I know which people) who think I need to stop yelling, to shut up, to sit my butt down, to stop being such an “angry black woman.”
Whatever! That’s my answer to that.
Stop telling me I’m yelling, just because you are not listening. Instead you are trying to make me the stereotypical “angry black woman” so you don’t have to deal with the real issues. You know, those real issues like racism, police brutality, economic warfare?
What’s the point of my going on television or radio and not saying what I really feel? That would just be a waste of my time.
A few days ago, I was sitting on a plane…in first class. I got upgraded. I’m thankful. I needed a drink.
I’m mentally, physically and sort of psychologically drained.
Because of Ferguson.
Because of Staten Island.
Because of Sanford.
Because of Fruitvale Station.
Because of Bensonhurst.
I’ve been in this state for awhile.
I turned on my headphones to listen to some songs I go to for peace. Songs by Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Alanis Morisette, Shania Twain, Yolanda Adams, Whitney Houston, Notorious B.I.G., Nancy Wilson. I began to silently belt out one of the songs which makes me sit up a bit and probably sway ever so slightly. I’m aware of the white gentleman sitting next to me that begrudgingly got up to let me to my window seat, who grunted when I said “Hello, how are you?”
He avoided any humanly possible contact with me the entire flight. It’s ok, I get it. He’s not listening. That’s why I want to yell…to get his attention, to wake him up. To remind him I’m allowed to sit here, right next to him…with the same benefits afforded all people sitting in first class.
I really want to ask him if he’s been watching the coverage of the situation in Ferguson, MO and the killing of Michael Brown. If he has a son? If his teenage son ever shoplifted from a store in their town? Did the shop owner call him, his Dad, to come get him? Or the police? I want him to know Michael Brown’s life meant something to a whole lot of people, including me. So did the lives of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Oscar Grant, Yusef Hawkins and countless others.
I do believe that one encounter, one conversation, one mindset change, starts the process.
That one conversation may get a white person to take a second view of black suffering, heck for some…a first view. That conversation could very well be the first time a white person has a candid conversation about race with a black person and vice versa. I don’t mind being the one to start that process.
Stop yelling Mo! No thanks, I’ll keep yelling until images of dead black boys stop flashing across my television day after day, week after week.
Stop yelling Mo! No thanks, I’ll stop yelling when police departments made up of officers that do not reflect, care or concern themselves with the citizens they are to serve…start taking measures to diversify their population, train officers and change their inherent bias attitudes.
Stop yelling Mo! No thanks, I’ll stop yelling when the laws of this country are made for all and enforced equally.
Stop yelling Mo! No thanks, I’ll stop yelling when respect for black life equals the same respect given to white life.
SO, STOP TELLING ME TO STOP YELLING…JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT LISTENING!
Disclaimer:
1. This does not apply to all white people.
2. Black people have to take personal responsibility for themselves.
3. Black on black crime exist, so does white on black crime.
4. This article is not really about yelling, it’s just a term.
5. Yelling is relative to who’s listening.
6. I’ve never talked softly.
7. I saw the looting, that’s not the issue.
