What It's Like Living as a Person of Color | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

What It's Like Living as a Person of Color

A personal and first hand account of what it's like to live as person of color

24
What It's Like Living as a Person of Color
WIkimedia

Trayvon Martin: shot and killed by George Zimmerman on February 26th, 2012.

Tamir Rice: shot and killed by Cleveland police (within two seconds of their arrival) in a park on November 22nd, 2014.

Eric Garner: Died after Staten Island Policemen put Garner in an illegal chock hold for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally on a side walk.

Michael Brown Jr.: Shot and killed by Ferguson Police Department after he was caught stealing items from a local convenience store. This shooting sparked national protests in and out of the state of Missouri.

Fast forward to 2016 and now, over 100 documented killings of unarmed black men and women by police in the United States have come to light. Over 100. Of those 100 plus killings it includes the recent shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and more recently the killing of Terrence Crutcher. Why do you need to know this? Because I'll be giving you a personal account of my reaction, my anger and outrage as well as what it's like to currently live as a person of color (trust me it's a lot worse than you think).

Why can't we get any justice? Why must we protest in order to be heard? I feel like I'm missing a piece to the puzzle here. Whenever people of color fight back, want equal opportunities or want to heard above everyone else we get shunned, we get bullets or knives in us to quiet us down because it's too much for some to handle even though we are following the law. We get pushed or looked down upon just because we aren't the same as everyone else.

I am front and center in all of these issues and sometimes I'm the victim. Anytime I'm out by myself, I'm genuinely scared. Do I have every right to be scared? Yes, because I feel like I'm being visually attacked. Whenever I see a policeman or police car, I try not to do anything "suspicious" (in this case it will be walking, selling cd's or simply just doing what other people do while they are out). When I walk into public places, I feel the daggers piercing me while I'm trying to shop. One time, I got followed by a security guard at a local Target a few days after the shooting of Philando Castile. I didn't buy the items because I had felt uncomfortable and not safe. Shouldn't I feel the opposite when I'm by myself? Shouldn't all people protected and not the people whom you choose? It just all doesn't make sense to me and it all doesn't add up. The men and women in blue should be protecting all of us, but instead they hunt us down even when we are obeying the law. Just recently I read an article that one of my facebook friends shared (I'm not sure how credible this article was) but it stated that officer who shot Terrence Crutcher is to be charged with manslaughter. The article also stated that the officers' attorney said that the officer "feared for her life because it seemed like Crutcher was going into his car to grab a weapon," even though he was clearly unarmed and not carrying anything on him all. Everyone always seems to come to this general consensus that If a person of color (black men in this case) looks suspicious or "fits the looks of a criminal on the loose" then they must automatically be a threat to officers and shot. I'm pretty sure that is how it goes now, right? Should I be careful when I reach into my backpack in public places? Yes. Do I ever ask myself, could I possibly be gunned down right now for just walking and minding my own business? Yes. I shouldn't have to reflect on these type of questions, I shouldn't have to think of these things at all. I should be able to go out and not be worried about getting dagger eyes or being followed by security. I shouldn't have to worry at all, but in 2016 I do. It hurts me, angers me and saddens me that I have to walk with such vigilance, that I have to constantly be aware of my own surroundings and be scared of the police. This is what it's like to live as a person of color in 2016. I can only imagine what new dangers lie ahead for us and the black lives matter movement.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

188549
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13880
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457091
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26164
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments