(That’s what they told you today. In other words, you still a slave)
Lee Harvey Oswald murdered the then president of the United States of America in 1963, Byron De La Beckwith Murdered Civil rights activist Medgar Evers also in 1963, James Earl Ray Murdered Civil rights legend Martin Luther King in 1968 and Derek Chauvin Murdered George Floyd in 2020.
All of these murders had far reaching consequences and their impact on history is practically immeasurable. But the Murder of George Floyd just hits differently.
I do not know what it is, but the image of that so called officer of the law so nonchalantly murdering brother Floyd just lands differently. I too was horrified when I saw the murder of Eric Garner, it immediately took me back to 1992. In 1992, the Rodney King beating by 6 LA policemen were caught on camera, yet the officers walked free. I remember listening to Dr Dre’s the chronic album at that time and hearing the sound bite on the song “The Day the (N words) took over” where a man can be heard giving his response to the not guilty verdict for the police that nearly killed brother King. He exclaimed “that’s what they told you today, in other words you still a slave”. The words hit hard. The truth hit harder. It told us in 1992 Black lives did not matter and no matter how much evidence you have your life is worthless in the eyes of the law!
What followed that non guilty verdict was some of the most destructive riots the city of Los Angeles has ever seen.
Back in 1992, that verdict set about a chain of events that temporarily brought a halt to gang warfare, created revolutionaries in the hood, and shook Black youth to the core world-wide.
So why didn’t the hood respond in a similar fashion when Eric Garner is choked out and murdered by the NYPD in 2014? Trust me the “I can’t breathe” slogan began there as they were Eric’s last words. Or even before that when Oscar Grant is shot while in handcuffs and lay prone on the floor in 2009?
Truth is I do not know. The world should have gone into meltdown for Sandra Bland found hung in her cell after being detained for failing to use her indicator while she was driving. Ok What about Marlene Pinnock who was subject to a vicious UFC style ground and pound by a police officer by the side of a busy LA highway.
How didn’t we all collectively tare the roof of this sucker after seeing these injustices?
Well, I do know this.
Part of the problem is that for many of you this type of social injustice is not and has not been on your agenda. The fact that many of the names I have mentioned during this article are unfamiliar to you should be an indication of how little you know about issues that have shaped the black communities you interact with.
When exactly did Black lives start to matter to you?
Say the words again.
“That’s what they told you today. In other words, you still a slave”
Tamir Rice shot and killed seconds after policeman Timothy Loehmann arrives on the scene. Tamir had a toy gun. Damn when did a child playing with a toy gun deserve to be killed with an attempt to arrest or bring about resolution. Dylann Roof murdered 9 Black people including children at a church that had shown him kindness and welcomed him in only days before. The 21 year old was apprehended without being wounded and taken into custody after briefly stopping to get him a bite to eat from a local fast food restaurant. How come Tamir Rice could got killed without so much as a conversation or a request to put down toy gun?
“That’s what they told you today. In other words, you still a slave”
Philando Castile, murdered in front of his girlfriend and child as broadcasted on social media of having a licenced firearm stored correctly in his vehicle during a car stop my Jeronimo Yanez of the Minnesota police department. Brother Castle had five bullets pumped into him at close range after disclosing to the officer that he had a licence weapon in the car. The officer walked free following a trial.
Oh, let us not forget Botham Jean, murdered in his own home by policewoman Amber Guyger after mistaking his apartment for her apartment which was located on a different floor in the building. I know what you’re thinking. What the actual Hell! Really! Yes Really. This actually did happen.
“That’s what they told you today. In other words, you still a slave”
Breonna Taylor murdered in her bed as she lay sleeping in March 2020 by plain clothes Louisville police. Six bullets hit Sister Taylor and killed her. The police forced entry into her home searching for a man they had already apprehended and had in custody. Sister Taylors boyfriend returned fire against his unidentified attackers and non-fatally wounded one of the attackers. He was initially charged with attempted murder of the officer, but the charges have since been dropped. The police officers responsible for sister Taylor’s murder have not been charged and have face no action as a result of murdering her.
“That’s what they told you today. In other words, you still a slave”
La Vena Johnson the army office who’s death was ruled as suicide even though there was overwhelming evidence of rape and battery.
Amaud Arbery Murdered while jogging by Travis McMichael and Gregory McMichael and their associate William Bryan. William Bryan testified that Travis stood over brother Arbery’s body as he lay there dying and called him a F’in Ni**er.
In April 2021 brother Daunte Wright was murdered by police officer Kim Potter just a few minutes drive from where brother George Floyd was casually Murdered by Derek Chauvin. Kim potters excuse for the killing of an unarmed man was that she had mistaken her gun for a taser. Potter who had initially stopped brother Wright for a traffic violation informed him he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Brother Wright called his mother and she offered to give his insurance details over the phone. As the situation escalated bother Wright attempted to leave the scene via his car. Some might find his actions understandable given the anxiety that police would cause to a Black male in such close proximity to the world most high-profile police murder. He was shot and killed. Is noncompliance a reason to kill?
“That’s what they told you today. In other words, you still a slave”
There are countless other examples. Many of which are from right here in good old blighty.
Dalian Atkinson ex Aston Villa premier league striker who’s murder trial has just been confirmed as of 20.4.21. Dalian died in police custody in 2016 at his parent’s home while suffering a mental breakdown.
Why should that result in his death? I do not know.
Then there’s Smiley Culture, British born reggae star famed for his song “Police officer” released in 1984. Brother Smiley’s death in police custody was ruled as suicide by stabling. So lets be clear on this. It is said that Smiley Culture stabbed himself in the heart during a police raid on his home in 2011. OK.
“That’s what they told you today” … look you know the mantra by now.
This is precisely why the Derek Chauvin conviction is so important.
Not for the first time in my lifetime I witnessed the world push back.
Yes, there were conflicts on the streets all over the world, but this felt different. This was more change focused. This was not just Blacks.
I saw it first-hand. I was on the marches in Birmingham. I stood toe to toe and side by side with White folk, Brown folk, the young , the old, the gay , the straight the ultra-woke and those who were just gain consciousness. Oh, by the way the term woke should not be used as a dismissive phrase to scorn those who are trying to be brave and fight for black rights. Stop that G you straight up violating!
I am so, so sorry it took brother George Floyds death to unite some of us in a show of racial solidarity, I am so saddened by the fact that throughout the Derek Chauvin trial none of us really knew if he would be found guilty such is the history of murders of black brothers and sisters going free.
I am deeply and profoundly filled with sorrow that I could not hight all the brothers and sisters who have died at the hands of racist police, but alas there are simply too many to recall. Man, this is heavy.
I feel so sorry for millions of Black people worldwide who suffer racial injustices every day at the hands of those who have little empathy because their own privileged lives continue unaffected.
But I will leave you with this.
AboutFace is the change agent that the world needs, our work to unite and fight while creating a fearless race continues.
Watch this space and join the fight for racial equity.
Now!
Cliff Faulder
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