Sanctity of Life

"Either they don't know, don't show, or don't care about what's going on in the hood" That quote from Ice Cube's character Doughboy from Boyz N The Hood couldnt be anymore relevant then as it is now almost twenty years later. The major difference is that this time we can say this about the police that are killing us.

It is not a matter of black on black crime but a matter of being unjustly exterminated. What has happened to our community and society when we are so desensitized to death and police corruption that we are more concerned with who Lebron James is playing for or Lil Wayne's prison stent. Where was the justifiable national outrage in regards to the verdict over Oscar Grants death and a lack of true justice for him and his killer.

At no point is it ok that this young mans life is only worth two years but sadder than this verdict and sentencing is that Oscar Grants life seems to not even be worth ourtage. It's only important to those that knew Oscar. They knew his laugh, his touch, his mind, his anger, his love, his joy and treasured his life. Since when is the disregard for human life so overlooked?

I remember when Michael Vick was on trial for the dog fighting ring. People were outraged that dogs were killed. Peta was protesting and this man was ostricized publicly. I said then there are too many important things happening that the outrage over some dogs is completely out of perspective. When PEOPLE are dying every day. Why is a dog being killed more outrageous than our police exterminating us at their will. Walking away with slaps on the wrist.

How is drawing a weapon shooting some one in the back thats already subdued involuntary? I am not sure about anyone else but thats not involuntary to me. Nothing anyone can say no circumstances can change my thought on this. Its not involuntary!

"Scared now, ain't you? I like that. That's why I took this job. I hate little motherfuckers like you. Little niggers, you ain't shit! I could blow your head off with this Smith & Wesson and you couldn't do shit. Think you tough? What set you from? Look like one of them Crenshaw mafia motherfuckers." This quote from Boyz N The Hood came from a police officer. Now 19 years ago if this was the mindset of the police I can only imagine what they are saying and how they are feeling now.

Now I realize that this is a movie...but understand that Art often imitates life. These words feelings actions and situations are a direct reflection of the attitude of police officers. I think this is evident when you see the increasing number of murders at the hands of our police. So now twenty years later we are still trying to figure out why we are dying more rapidly at the hands of our police. Not just in one city but all over.

Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, Ayana Jones, Kiwane Carrington, Tarika Wilson and countless others, laid to rest by our officers of the law. No one is concerned with the lives lost only about the supposed danger to the officers. How much danger does a woman with six children (one in her arms) pose to a police officer? How much danger does a man laying face down on the pavement pose to a police officer? Why are we not concerned with the lives of these people that are being taken needlessly. They live and love just like we do.

But I guess its more relevant to your lives who is beefing with who in the rap game, whats happening in sports, and reality tv. Who is sleeping with who and for how long. These are the important issues of today not fairness justice equality and respect for life.

My heart is burdened and saddened by how easily we as a people overlook or dismiss the sanctity of life these days. I sincerely pray those with blind eyes deaf ears or closed minds are never adversely affected by a senseless and forgotten murder at the hands of those hired to protect us. When the people we are supposed to trust to safeguard our lives are the very ones killing us who can we trust?