Burdened Urban

Why is it when you go into a lower income”urban” area you see at least 2 or 3 cop cars while your just passing through?!   I’m sure that if you were to pass through a wealthier less diverse suburban area the amount of law enforcement would be scarce.  I remember days in my neighborhood were i would see sheriffs riding their bikes with bullet proof vest on and a gun on their hip sitting comfortably in the  holster.  Many times these sheriffs would be there pulling people over for no particular reason, issuing tickets for minor infractions , and harrassing young black males. There were many things that happened in my neighborhood and neighborhoods like mine. But there is one time in  particular I remember. It was  these boys that the police had laying face down on the neighbors lawn. The boys had not done anything but attempt to walk to the corner store after night fall.  The only reason I believe these boys were let go and not further harassed is do to my mother standing out side of her house to make sure that they did not get hurt any further.  Regardless of the many times the police told her to go back in her house. I can almost guarantee if they had been of another more excepted ethnicity they would have never gotten harassed the way they did.  I also have friends that have been bothered countless amount of  times because of the color of their skin.  I know that the racism is do to lack of understanding or just blatant ignorance.  But something has to change.  Why do I have to tip toe around the dominant society?!  While they get the freedom to always be theirself?!  I want to experience a life like that also.  Living carefree and opinionated with no restraints or filters.  I don’t want to  feel odd or uncomfortable every time there may be a chance the person I am talking to may not like me purely based off of the color  of my skin.  I understand everyone does not have that negative view of black people.  But the truth is,  you never really know who has your back until their’s  is put up against a wall.  

 Another thing,  “why do we have police in areas patrolling people they are incapable of relating to?!”   That is when you experience the biggest and potentially the deadliest situations.  If you haven’t experienced or lived through misfortune like the people of the community your serving,  How are you going to have any interest in making it better? 

 Misunderstanding  sometimes plays a big role in the reason that so many brutal and horrific things happen in lower income neghborhoods. That isn’t the only reason for these deaths there are other factors. Like the lack of background checks. They should be done on  police and sheriffs who patrol lower income areas,  and stop giving that job to just any ol’ body.  We want to live and feel safe too.  Instead of being in constant fear that we’re one pull over away from the end of our lives.  

 Many times it seems like we  have been labeled the burden of mankind. But you and I know that isn’t true.  I deserve the same amount of respect that you would want me to give you.  I know that all Caucasians aren’t racist I’m just speaking to the ones that are. Just give me that chance at living abundantly as you and your family have for hundreds of years.  Stop trying to dim my light because you can’t understand my shine.