"THE STIGMAS CREATED THE VERDICT"

BY AL KING


These are my views as a Black Man, Father and Civilian that I will be honest in sharing in this passage. I have sat back and taken in the many different stances that have been taken in light of this very unfortunate occurrence. I want to extend my heartfelt prayers and condolences to the Martin family as they deal with this very sad outcome. Each of us has been touched by the murder of Trayvon Martin and the verdict that ensued. It could have easily been your son or relative placed in that very same situation which is a very real and actual testament of the times we live in. We can voice that the result of this trial was unfair and no justice was served which may very well be the case but moving toward a solution is imperative. We need to wake up.   But let’s be clear that the STIGMAS surrounding the Black Male is what substantially shaped the outcome of this trial. The magnitudes of these stigmas that are attached to the Black Male have dictated so much in the lives of each colored individual.

 

We can choose to ignore the obvious but the reality is we have become spoken for before we can even say a word in our defense.  Any Black Male will be subjected and scrutinized on these stigmas that continue to be affirmed based on the actions that support them. There is no benefit of the doubt or fair judgment being exercised. The judicial system is a playing field for these stigmas to be used against any Black defendant, easily defeating the mantra of “innocent until proven guilty.”  Each day he is forced to accept the repercussions of these stigmas by being profiled; to the extent of driving a car, shopping in a store or simply walking down a street. You would have to be a complete fool to not take this fact into consideration if you’re a Black Man living in America. We are perceived and judged by what has already been pre-set in the minds of everyone that is non-black. Unfortunately, the benefit of the doubt is just not something that we are obliged to receive.

 

Society views the Black Male as a violent source because we have lessened our expressions in the form of violence. In our own elements we kill one another over things that are not worth taking it to that extent, appearing to have no respect for the life of another and even our own. Based on the history of how we treat one another, it’s interpreted that we are all physical, non-loving, uncivilized beings that kill one another for no reason. The constant embrace of ignorance, violence and mischief in our communities or backyards so to speak don’t help the perceptions of those outside of the Black Race. The outcome of this conduct is rooted to a normalcy that we have chosen to embed in our mindsets and practices. Using hate and shunning love plays a very integral and damaging piece to this puzzle.  That hate that’s constantly spewed is why we choose to destroy one another for petty reasons but we want everyone else to respect us.

 

Let’s not wait for something to happen and then act like we want it to stop when we are not being pro-active to begin with. Problems can be reduced by taking a pro-active approach which is something we fail to grasp. Being motivated in a different way will be conducive to the changes we desperately need. I think as parents, we need to teach our children that these stigmas are prevalent and show them how to deal with them. We are only curtailing the truth and what’s a part of the reality we are faced with each day by acting as if these things aren’t there. For example, Black Men are profiled period. It does matter what you wear, drive and the times you are out in public that can very well dictate your destiny. If we choose to act as if this is not the world we live in, we are only doing a disservice to our own understanding and safety. Having a pro-active stance eliminates possibilities. Why are we people that only react instead of creating solutions before they become problems? Then when we are spanked with these incidents that force our hand there are temporary outcries filled with rage, resentment and emotionally charged acts up that only last until the smoke clears.  

All along, we are more than equipped to deter things from happening by taking the necessary steps that will promote a difference. We can accomplish more by doing better. Seeing where we can work on what has become a factor in what only transforms into the regressive nature that we carry from one incident to the next. Must I also remind you that we are the same people that sensationalize the people that destroy our communities by making them martyrs. We are the same people that fail to rally for the things that can uplift and empower us a whole but come together and form consortiums of negativity.  Again, wake up. Once people close their doors they are less inclined to be concerned about what goes on outside of it until it directly hits home. As a parent, this has provoked a lot of concern. A concern where you can’t teach your children to not be a victim of violence solely based on the color of their skin.

 

How many of us are going to rally for the presence of LOVE? We must demonstrate that we can love and co-exist with one another without using violence as the answer. Deplete these stigmas so that our future children are given the opportunity to prove themselves without being judged. We can blame the judicial system for failing us of justice but does that deplete the fact that we are a very troubled race WITHIN? Can we continue to have no regard for the life of our own and expect others too? Black on Black crime is just as prevalent today as it was thirty-years ago. If we continue to lose our youth, wouldn’t it be safe to say that the Black adult will become endangered species?  Where will the wisdom come from? Who will the mentors mentor? We must work on changing how we treat one another in order to make changes. Sadly, the lack of love has created a culture, trait and characteristic to bring bodily and gravely harm in a split second to one another. We must wake up!