There’s confusion about why looters are stealing from retail stores during these riots. Well, it’s simple … if they’re destined to be frisked, arrested, assaulted or killed by a cop due to the color of their skin, then they might as well grab a free TV for their pain and suffering.
Just saying.
Last week, I was pulled over by a group of police officers who put me in cuffs and hauled me to jail.
It was a Saturday night, and very late. Even though I had already provided the appropriate documentation, I was ordered to exit my vehicle.
I opened my door and slowly climbed out of the driver’s seat. In my head, I could hear the sound of my grandfather’s voice, saying “don’t give them [police] a reason to kill you, because they will, and the system will protect them.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Before I could raise my hands skyward – a gesture that communicates obedience to police – four officers were already pointing their rifles in my direction.
I knew better than to do or say anything to provoke their aggression.
While the lights from their patrol cars flashed, I could feel goosebumps forming on my skin. Death was staring me directly in the face. There were no witnesses other than my two friends who were passengers in the car with me. We were tragically vulnerable.
Darkness covered the road where I was ordered to stop. It was the most uncomfortable moment I’d ever experienced.
We all knew the night wouldn’t end pleasantly. Still, our goal was to return home with our lives and dignity in tact, so we cooperated. Nevertheless, despite our efforts, things got much worse very quickly.
I’m 32 years old, responsible, and I consciously obey the law. My friends are no different than I am.
We’re also Black men—and if nothing else, the color of our skin inherently merits suspicion and hostility from police.
I was stopped just outside of Huntington Beach, Calif., where Trump supporters wear their MAGA hats and wave their flags proudly.
The officer who pulled me over marched to my window—hand on his gun—and immediately asked me if there were drugs or alcohol in my car. He also inquired about weapons before demanding that I relinquish my license, registration and proof of insurance.
I remember the name on his shirt. I also remember his partner, who repeatedly asked if we had “narcotics” in our possession, even after we told him that we didn’t.
The officers later explained that I was pulled over because my tail lights weren’t operational. I knew they were lying. Still, a few days after the incident, I took my car to Pep Boys for an inspection. The mechanic—a young Black man – confirmed that my tail lights were indeed fully operational. I could see the rage in his eyes as though he was the one pulled over and not me.
“You know why they stopped you,” he said angrily, pointing to his skin. I could see his body trembling. We didn’t have to say anything else to each other. As Black men, we’ve been taught to accept our fate as targets for police and other forces of racism in this country.
The officers who stopped me clearly had a motive. They handcuffed me and my friends and stuffed us into separate police cars. Minutes later, as the sound of howling police dogs covered the air, I watched in silence as five officers—each carrying military grade weapons—searched my car for guns and drugs. The officers didn’t have a warrant or probable cause.
One of them even chuckled as he watched me contort my body to mitigate the pain in my wrists and shoulders after being cuffed for several minutes.
I spent the next two days in jail—due to a bench warrant originating from an incident that took place in 2016.
The truth is those officers saw three Black men in a dark sports car and they reacted inappropriately. That’s why I have no problem with the riots unfolding in Minnesota or anywhere else in America right now.
George Floyd was killed by an overly zealous, presumably hateful white cop. It happens everyday to dozens of Black victims throughout the U.S., and frankly, it’s the reason why large contingencies of Black protestors are rioting in Minnesota, where Floyd was unlawfully killed.
Frankly, I’m angry—and sometimes, anger shouldn’t be contained.
In my opinion, until our government cracks down on racially biased (and violent) policing, the rioting should continue.
This is what happens when you keep poking the bear. Eventually, it attacks. These riots are an example.
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