By Samuel Trotter Staff Writer
America, land of the “free and equal.” has always struggled to uphold the meaning of some of its most famous mottos. Historical violence varies and repeats itself; its occurrence however through time is no less tragic and shocking. The constitution grants the right to pursue happiness, yet America has always managed to maintain the most prejudice judicial system, especially amongst African Americans.
In 2014, it now seems that the right to live and breathe may be in question as well.
We all watch the news and society right now stands as a powder keg awaiting the right match to set aflame change in the judicial system. The lives of Michael Brown, Renisha McBride, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice have been taken away with a metaphorical license to kill. Police and citizens are getting away with killing young African Americans because of doubt, stereotypes, fear; and America is facing a wakeup call like never before because of cameras and 911 calls. But what good are cameras on police if senseless murders are being recorded and the cases are not being tried in a court of law?
Twenty-five years ago, writer and director Spike Lee depicted how racial tensions arose following a senseless death in the film Do the Right Thing, following the choking death of fictional character Radio Rakim.
Lee argues, “There is a bigger war on black males and that the Michael Brown case is tapping into that larger rage. I think there is a war on the black male and it’s tearing the country apart in my opinion.”
The black community underwent extinction long ago, not as a race but as a people without a voice. Where are the Medgar Evers, Thurgood Marshalls and Johnnie Cochrans?
Our voices must now be heard beyond protests, marches and slogans; they must be heard in the courtroom. Fighting a judicial system that is designed to protect police when they mistakenly or purposefully kill young African Americans cannot be summarized into a slogan, “Black lives matter” — the phrase that was given birth soon after the court hearing for the case of Michael Brown and Darren Wilson. However, white America respects the constitution and the laws. What we should be fighting for is true unification and equality in the American judicial system.
