
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything
When I first saw Eric Garner put in a choke hold, I said that could have been my brother. When I saw. Michael Brown, I said that could have been me 5 years ago…. The African American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that doesn’t go away. When I saw Tamir Rice, I said this can not happen to my child. To so many people this post will sound like someone who is trying to divide a country; it is everything but. I want people to empathize what it means to be an African American in America.
As an African American man in this country you are more likely to be followed when you are shopping in a department store, to walk across the street and hear the locks click on the doors of cars, to battle vigorously in the courts, face income inequality in the workplace, more likely to be denied when applying for a loan or mortgage,and to be perceived as not smart, all because of the color of your skin. I am not asking to divide us but to instead connect with the idea that walking in a store can be a privilege, walking down a street can be a privilege, applying for a loan can be a privilege. I ask that you join me in saying that in our community that we build conversations on racial inequality.
When, I ran for office and the Black Lives Matter Movement was gearing up. I will never forget knocking doors in Auburndale. I knocked on one particular door that had a flagship driveway. I went up to the door and I knocked like I did the other doors in the neighborhood. A woman came to the door and shouted through the door without opening that if I do not get off her property that she will shoot me. I am not asking to divide us.
I also remember doing a shoot or not simulation. I remember shooting a young boy who was reaching in his pocket to grab his phone. I respect the men and women who protect this city at night. I do not want to demonize the hard work, and the sacrifice that they make to protect their communities. I ask that community leaders, elected officials, and the Black Community comes together to begin talking about the concerns and the battles that each one of these groups face.
Victor Sims
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