I Am NOT Mike Brown

I'm enraged. I'm vexed. I'm one of thousands of Black Americans frustrated by the undeserved injustice served on our plates of humanity.  I am one that shares the dark, daunting thought that makes one contemplate: "who will be next?".

I'm disgusted by the blatant disregard law enforcement (or anyone else) has for the black race. I'm saddened that the system that was built to provide liberty and justice for all, only seems to lavish it upon some.

But...I'm not Mike Brown. We are not Mike Brown.

We are people with a responsibility to honor Mike's life, not only with a pursuit for his justice;  but through the implementation of lasting change that will penetrate our culture and unify our community. We have the responsibility to ignite flames of change that will transcend this present moment of despair; change that will inspire the legacy Mike Brown was robbed of a chance to build.

The nationwide rallies and protests are commendable, and proof of our strength under pressure. The uproar gives voice to our  frustrations and places a demand on the law to crown our efforts with justice. But, if we are given the results we expect and so rightfully deserve,  what happens next?  Will it be back to community as usual?  Will the next community effort only be initiated after innocent blood has been shed?

In observing all that is happening presently and reflecting on how many times we've been here as a race and a nation before,  I seem to find one thing consistent: today's communities are full of aftermath activists. Our concern and fight for change is only activated by unfair treatment and injustice. That has to shift urgently or we grant continuation to this vicious cycle.

I imagine how much more reverence and fair treatment we'd receive if our voices were just as loud on days we weren't standing face to face and toe to toe with oppression. We can't escape evil altogether; but we can make it think twice about visiting us or gunning down another young soul.

The goal here is not to stir up controversy or come off as insensitive,  because I carry a piece of this pain just like so many others.  However, I am endeavoring to raise awareness about what activism and community building can do when it's constant and not situational.

All I'm really saying is: it's time!

It's time that we stood tall on the shoulders of our ancestors and the courageous civil rights leaders of the past. It's time for a civil rights movement that is ever moving and never void of momentum.  It's time for the reclaiming of our dignity and value.  It's time!