I live in Charlotte, NC and I simply do not have the words to express how I’m feeling about the death of Keith Lamont Scott and the riots that have ensued afterward.
I’m a white woman. I can’t know how people of color feel at this moment. I know I’m sickened, saddened, and terrified by the travesties that have been happening. I know that I am sick of the killings and the hate. I know that hate breads hate and this is something that will continue until we learn to love and respect one another. I know that the riots are not just about the death of Scott. This has been a long time coming.
One of the best articles I’ve read about this event can be found here: Charlotte protesters say they are sick of “letting things slide”.
This article says much of what I would say if I had the words. Please take the time to read it.
We as a nation need to embrace one another and learn from these travesties. Please let it bring us together instead of pushing us further away. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening. I see this growing bigger. I see more hate filling the air. I see a time when whites who love people of color have no idea what to say or do to help. I’m one of those people. I want to help. All I can do is try to let it be known that I will not be silent any more. I will not stand for these killings. (I’m not just talking about the killing of Scott). I will not turn a blind eye on the inequality that is being forced on people of color. I can let people know I care.
Stop Killing
Stop Hating
Start Loving
Start standing up for what you believe.
Picnic with Ants 
Absolutely agree!
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I totally agree that there is racial profiling and violence targeting blacks, homosexuals, other so-called minorities. There IS no excuse for remaining silent about that, “letting it pass.” It is real and it is horrid.
Still, we are targeting the part of the iceberg we can see, missing the reality of what lies below: why is cruelty of ANY sort supported in police work – what is WRONG with police training that the “end justifies the means” incidents are rampant, regardless of prejudice? It begins much further up – with politicians that need to GO.
In any case, the Charlotte protestors succeeded in one respect: I, for one, am no longer considering a move to that city. I don’t care to live ANY place where problems are swept under rugs so that towns can wear a prettier face. Now that I have seen Charlotte’s ugly underbelly, I doubt I would be comfortable there for a single day. I am sorry that you are. effectively, trapped there as a result of your recent move – as I am currently trapped in Cincinnati.
There is so MUCH wrong with our world today, but we must insist that anyone tasked to serve and protect actually DOES that. Scapegoating or punishing one officer or several, deserving or not, won’t force a break in the closed circle of “protect your buddy and your job” that goes all the way to the top.
It makes me nauseous. Literally.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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