And another one.

It seems too often we are losing our Black men and women to a police officer’s hands, or gun, these days. I’m saddened every time I hear of another case. There is Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Ezell Ford. Michael Brown. Sean Bell. Oscar Grant.  And the list goes on.

The latest case surrounds Freddy Gray who suffered spinal injuries after being held in police custody. He died soon after. Since then, people have taken their frustrations to the streets of Baltimore. The images on some television and social media networks portray us in a negative light because they show the rioters instead of the peaceful protestors. They claim gang members are uniting to “take-out law enforcement officers.” Well some of the Bloods and Crips got together and talked to a reporter to shed light on what’s really going on. Watch the video below.

I scroll through my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram timelines during these tragic incidents, and I’m taken aback at some of the commentary. There are two sides. Some people understand the rioting while others don’t.  Rioting is not right, but I understand it. People are angry. ANGRY!!! Outsiders are more upset over the rioting than the murder.  We’re losing our brothers and sisters daily.  Losing a life is much different than vandalism. The latter isn’t right, but it can be fixed.

And while we’re speaking on gangs, let’s talk. While we’re speaking about Black men, let’s talk.

On another side of my timeline, I see people who say, “Well Blacks kill Blacks all of the time.” Hmm. So does that justify a police officer  killing a Black man or woman? I get what you’re saying. You think we can’t get upset because we’re killing each other. I see. But, you do know that if a Black man kills another that the killer will get punished, right? The issue is, some policemen are getting away with murder. They get suspended. They’re on paid leave. And they’re still alive.

I’m not condoning gang violence or rioting, but I also don’t condone police brutality. America, wake up!

What are your thoughts?

 “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” – Malcolm X