celestethebest:

adailyriot:

Never Forget Amadou Diallo

#policemurdervictim #innocentvictim #policebrutality #neverforget

Amadou Diallo was shot just blocks from where I grew up and still live; I was 9 or 10yrs old at the time. After he was murdered, I began to understand that just because someone wears a police uniform does not mean that they are a safe, trustworthy person. And that just because it’s their job to protect me, doesn’t mean that they will not do the opposite. I hate that brother Amadou was killed at all, but I am grateful that it was not in vain. The attention his death and the resulting trial received really gave myself and a bunch of other young people the opportunity to question institutions like police forces, and  understand that they are not in place for our protection, but to keep us scared and in our “place”. The reality behind Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell’s murders is the reason I’m afraid of police officers. I can be killed and my murderers won’t even lose their jobs, let alone have to pay for their crime.

My fear of the police is actually what has kept me from participating in any of the Occupy Wall Street marches and rallies, although Wall Street is less than an hour away by train. I’ve met multiple OWS organizers and participants, all college educated, none actually from NYC, all have been pepper-sprayed and arrested, and all but one were white men. “It’s not that bad,” is one thing  I’ve been told by all of these people when I express my fear of being arrested—but especially assaulted or killed—by police during a riot or one of those mass arrests. I envy the amount of privilege (or fearlessness) it takes to be able to say something like that.

My fear of police is very real, and is usually very misunderstood. I’m used to hearing,”You didn’t do anything wrong, what are you so afraid of?” I try not to let it phase me, and I answer honestly, “I’m black, that’s what I did wrong.”

Rest in power, brothers Amadou and Sean.