Now More Than Ever: What Are We Going To Do?

Words of Victim Eric Garner as he was choked...

Honestly, I'm at a loss for words right now. The cookie cutter America that is perfect in the eyes of outsiders, a place full of opportunity and promise for hopes of a better future is leaking away between the cracks of the justice system.

If you had not heard, another police officer, this time in New York, was not indicted on charges for the death of the African American unarmed male Eric Garner. The police officer decided that using a choke-hold (which is illegal by the way) was the best idea he could think of to detain Garner which ultimately ended Garner's life. (No Charges In New York City Choke-hold Death), 
(N.Y. Protests Begin after Grand Jury Clears Officer of Choke-hold death)

As much as I could rant on and on about this, I'm not. There's a lot of emotions that we all feel about this situation and this decision coming at a convenient time after the non-indictment of the officer who shot Micheal Brown. But I can't help but think that "Wow, this is really happening." I think of my brothers, I think of my male friends, I think of my Father, my grandfathers, my uncles, my cousins. They are not invincible. They are not immune because of where they live or who they know. BUT, as much as we as Americans and a community are riddled with emotion, as much as we think of those close to us, we can not be paralyzed with FEAR. It is no longer the time to see these stories on the news and then forget about them a week later. Use your influence, use your talents and take a stand for something. Hatred of those who don't look like you will not complete a task that needs to be done.

Now more than ever, we must be examples for the younger generation. Now more than ever we must teach as well as be intentional about our actions. I don't have answers, and I don't claim to, but ultimately the trueness and reality of events that the older generation experienced now happen in our generation. We no longer have to hear stories about it because we are getting a glimpse of it. The only difference is we have more of those who understand that it is not right (White, Hispanics etc.) And although there is power in number, how are we going to change the system? Which could look like Voting, Being Informed, or Running for Offices.

Don't Complain About Something You Are Not Willing To Change. We all can play a part.

So I pose the question: What Are We Going To Do?