There is something horrible going on in this country that isn’t new. It’s something we’ve known about for a long time, and it’s a problem. However, it never seems to get any better. The thing I’m talking about is systemic racism. No matter what happens, it just doesn’t seem to get any better. With all of the protests that have been going on since George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minnesota, the fact is, the problem still isn’t fixed. I do believe that this time is different. I believe that young people are outraged and they’ll maybe get out and vote in November. I believe that some white people are now taking this more seriously. I believe people want a change. Will we see change? Because until we do, every young black man who gets pulled over by a police officer is going to be shaking. We don’t know if this story is true, but it needs to be read over and over.
I pulled a car over last night for texting and driving. When I went to talk to the driver, I found a young black male, who was looking at me like he was absolutely terrified with his hands up.
He said, “What do you want me to do officer?” His voice was quivering. He was genuinely scared. I just looked at him for a moment, because what I was seeing made me sad.
I said, “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
In which he replied, with his voice still shaking, “Do you want me to get out of the car.”
I said, “No, I don’t want you to text and drive. I don’t want you to get in a wreck. I want your mom to always have her baby boy. I want you to grow up and be somebody. I don’t even want to write you a ticket. Just please pay attention, and put the phone down. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
I truly don’t even care who’s fault it is that young man was so scared to have a police officer at his window. Blame the media, blame bad cops, blame protestors, or Colin Kaepernick if you want. It doesn’t matter to me who’s to blame. I just wish somebody would fix it.
