06/19/2019
As I prepare myself to watch the last episode of “When They See Us”, my heart begins to beat uncontrollably, my hands get clammy, and anxiety starts to set in. I walk away each time overwhelmed by the idea of watching what Kory went through. Yes, I’ll admit I’ve fallen behind, purposely, and haven’t been able to watch the last episode (pray my strength).
Here’s why...
My middle school was located down the street (about 10 min walking distance) from my house and, much like many of the kids that lived in that area and went to that school, we walked everywhere. As such, many of us became good friends and would often walk home from school together laughing and joking about our day. Numbers would vary from day to day, but I’d say there were about 10-15 of us in total including girls and boys. During this time, my middle school was notoriously known for its heavy drug, violence, and gang activity and so the school, and surrounding neighborhood, had a strong police presence. We had grown accustomed to this presence and considered it another layer of protection.
This particular day started out like every other day, as a group of us walked home from school. Once we reached the top of the hill, we would ordinarily go our separate ways (my house was about 1 min from this spot) but on this day we decided to congregate just a little longer to crack jokes and have fun. Just as we were laughing, a cruiser pulls up with two White officers inside who proceed to ask us what we are doing. With backpacks on our shoulders, we responded nicely to say we had just gotten out of school and were on our way home. One officer then says “okay well break it up then and head home”, so we said okay.
Wanting to finish our last few jokes, we lingered just a little longer. After hovering around to listen to our jokes, the officer says “I said break it up, now”. I then shared with the officer that we were just laughing about our day at school and that we were all kids from the neighborhood that lived within 1-2 min from this spot and we were going home. Yet, as I turned my back to say goodbye to everyone, he says “either you break it up now or everyone goes downtown”.
I was in shock and said “officer we didn’t do anything wrong, why would you arrest us?” and he gave me a very mean look. Having seen police brutality up close, and knowing how fast things can take a turn, I quickly looked over at my friends and said “Bye y’all I’m not trying to get in trouble. See y’all later”. However, just as I crossed the street to head home, the officer bucked his car at me by quickly accelerating and making a screeching stop mere inches away from hitting me. Startled by the gesture of being run over, I jumped back in fear and both officers begin to laugh loudly and uncontrollably, nudging and encouraging each other to do so, as one officer yells once again “go home” and they speed off.
What 12 year old deserves that type of treatment and harassment? If he would have hit me, what condolences and/or story would my parents have received? How many witnesses would have been allowed to tell what happened (if any)? If we had been arrested, what made up charges would we have mysteriously gotten?
This isn’t just a series on Netflix, it’s real life and it’s scary and traumatic. This is why I do the work that I do.
This is why I work hard everyday to Promote Change That Matters!!!!
Yes, I went to school, obtained a bunch of letters, had really cool and impactful jobs that put me on great platforms to fight for justice, but it’s my LIVED experiences that truly guide my fight for equity and inclusion.
