A year ago today, my grandson Jeremyia was born. He is a happy baby who is always smiling. He enjoys making his parents chase him while he runs around. He has a ton of toys and loves to play.
As a grandmother of a Biracial boy, my birthday wish is that his life will be considered important to everyone not just his family. He faces two dangers once from any cop who is nervous about his race. He may also run into a real bad cop who has killed before. When a cop kills the public will often say he should have complied although video tends to show that the officer did not give adequate time to comply before the person is shot.
The public also tends to believe you are a Criminal when most of the time they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. My wish for JJ is that by the time he is a teenager the police have received better training and are patient enough to give a person time to comply. My hope is that big Cities and small towns alike are sued so many times that abusive officers are fired and proper training for others are extensive training. I also hope Community-police relationships have developed that trust between the two reduce the problem of nervous cops shooting innocent people.
The public also tends to believe you are a Criminal when most of the time they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. My wish for JJ is that by the time he is a teenager the police have received better training and are patient enough to give a person time to comply. My hope is that big Cities and small towns alike are sued so many times that abusive officers are fired and proper training for others are extensive training. I also hope Community-police relationships have developed that trust between the two reduce the problem of nervous cops shooting innocent people.
The second part of my wish is that Community Violence is reduced to the point that it becomes so rare that he doesn't have to be terrified to leave the house. He will be able to attend parties and hang out with his friends without concern that someone shoots up the place. My wish is that he doesn't start losing his friends until he is in his late 40s like everyone else outside of the ghetto. I hope that people who shoot others are caught through people reporting to the police what they seen instead of thinking "its not my business".
The one part that shows up for both police and Community is the relationship between the police and Community. Once it becomes strong then people reporting what they know or see will be reported. Once young men realize that they are going to Prison if they hurt someone people will snitch on them and they will be held accountable. I'm also praying that programs for the youth in at risk Communities will help the young people stay out of the drug trade and that they are taught conflict resolution.
The one part that shows up for both police and Community is the relationship between the police and Community. Once it becomes strong then people reporting what they know or see will be reported. Once young men realize that they are going to Prison if they hurt someone people will snitch on them and they will be held accountable. I'm also praying that programs for the youth in at risk Communities will help the young people stay out of the drug trade and that they are taught conflict resolution.
My grandson deserves a full and happy life to make his mistakes and learn from him. I don't want him to ever think his life doesn't matter.
No comments:
Post a Comment