#INowCallThemEnemy

On July 7, 2016 I was walking in downtown Philadelphia, on my way to get something to eat so that I could rush back to the office and finish up my work for the day. As I was walking through City Hall I could not help but stop and gaze at this White man on bent knee, holding a sign that read, “Would Alton Sterling and Philando Castille have been shot if they looked like me?...... I am praying for our country.” I stood there for at least three minutes filled with a plethora of emotions. I was happy, sad, fearful, uncertain and angry all at once. It was the weirdest sensation. Although the sun was shining, I felt a sense of gloom interrupt my atmosphere. I could not explain every emotion at that time, but one emotion that stuck with me was the sense of uncertainty. Even as I write this today.

I was uncertain why a man who appeared to be homeless, who could have easily asked for money or food spent his time in the sun to pose the question “Would Alton Sterling and Philando Castille have been shot if they looked like me?” My instant reaction was to answer, NO. I would assert that the white man, who was on his bent knees, holding the poster thought the same thing as me. Of course, a white man who is usually equated to being the “most privileged person” would not be shot by the police based merely on skin color. No matter a white man’s socioeconomic status, how they look, or where they come from they are still White and a Male. I begin to appreciate this man, because he was delivering a message to the thousands of privileged white men that would walk through the center of City Hall. It was powerful. I also appreciated this man, because he recognized what many white men did not, his Privilege. During the Civil rights period, someone like him would have been easily referred to as a “Nigger Lover”, and with this I realized that he risked his privilege for the progression of a whole people. I thank him.

I began to register that white people who do not speak up against police brutality, celebrate the movement of #BlueLivesMatter in order to weaken the importance of #BlackLivesMatter and choose not to recognize their privilege; are essentially consenting to the demonization and demolition of all Black people. In other words, silence is consent to the violation of the Black body. Though, I was happy that this man was risking his privilege, I started to become angry at the white people I once called friend or acquaintance. How can they be a friend to a Black boy, but not stand with that Black boy when he and people that look like him continue to be oppressed by a racist and unjust system? I NOW CALL THEM ENEMY!

In the words of Malcolm X, “It doesn’t mean we’re anti-white, but anti-exploitation.” I am not anti-white. However, I am tired of white people who love Black culture, but hate Black people. It is time that we challenge white people’s loyalty, interrupt their comfort zone and pose questions about black issues. If they continue their silence after doing so, it will be clear that they are upholding the idea of oppression against Black People. I urge you to be cognizant of the people you surround yourself with, because someone could be planning for you to become the next hashtag.

#Trayvon Martin February 26,2012

#Eric Garner July 17, 2014

#Michael Brown Jr. Aug 9,2014

#Tamir Rice Nov 22,2014

#Walter Scott April 4,2015

#Freddie Gray April 19,2015

#Sandra Bland July 13,2015

#Alton Sterling July 5,2016

#Philando Castille July 6,2016