For those of you who know my Dad, he loves to lecture. It drives us crazy most of the time. 90% of the time, Tony Coleman is speaking the truth and teaching a valuable lesson. I remember being in the car with him and my brother growing up....it always seemed like the time he would educate us on "race". I remember getting frustrated and angry with him often during these talks. He would tell my brother that being a Black Male, life was going to be different for him. Harder. That Anthony was going to experience prejudices along the way that he wouldn't understand, that would frustrate him, but he had to rise above. My Dad, being a retired Police Officer, would always emphasis to Anthony, "No matter what, always say yes sir and no ma'am to a officer. Always." Anthony would always throw in a "but Daddy", just to be cut off by my Dad with a, "Always, Anthony. Always."
Dad told Anthony the inevitable would happen, he was going to be racially profiled at some point in his life. Simply, because he was a black male. I remember these conversations, vividly, because they made me so angry.
I was angry not because of what my little brother, who I love more than anything, was going to experience...but mad at my Dad. I didn't want to believe that the world we lived in was that messed up. That people could be so cruel. That race, indeed was a factor and did matter. As a 12/13 year old, I couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that people were treated differently, after all these years, because of their skin color. Heck, at almost 28, I still can't quite understand it. That was the innocent, naive and adolescent me not wanting to face reality. More so, hoping that wasn't reality.
I didn't want to believe that the same people I shared my Elementary and Middle school hallways with, could quite possibly, think the way my Dad preached about. It couldn't be true.
And then...I grew up. I saw some of the evils in this world. I experienced many of those same prejudices my parents warned us about. I've been stereotyped. I've seen Anthony and Mikey's struggles that have come with being black men. (And anyone who knows those two, knows how amazing they are. Two of the most respectful and educated men I know).
Those Elementary and Middle School classmates became my High School and College classmates. They weren't innocent, naive, adolescents anymore either...
I say all of this because it literally breaks my heart to read these comments. Comments from people I have walked the hallways with, shared a beer with in college etc. I've never really got too emotional over silly things people post on Facebook or Twitter. Some people are just ignorant and have hate in their heart. For some reason, today, reading over these comments, I teared up. I shocked myself.
No need to repeat and share those comments. I am also not here to share my personal opinions on the matter, but I will say this....if you believe Officer Wilson should have been indicted, fine. If you believe Officer Wilson should not have been indicted, fine. My issue is the lack of compassion. Ladies and Gentlemen, a young man lost his life. Can we just take a moment to think about that? Before we post anymore insensitive comments regarding the Grand Jury's decision, remember that. Remember that there is a family grieving over the death of their son/brother/cousin/friend/etc.
I can't help but wonder, if something so unfortunate were to happen to my brother, or my cousin, or my nephew...would these same "friends", or people I roamed these hallways with, shared beers with...be making these same, hurtful and insensitive comments?
I cannot thank my parents enough for raising me the way they did. A great education, strong family values and morals, constant life lessons and all. I just have to always remember, not everyone is as blessed as me. Not everyone has the same family support. Not everyone has access to good schooling and education. Not everyone was raised the way I was raised.
