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I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer!

Posted on by Runaway Nuns and Leprechauns

I am an African American. I am a law enforcement officer. I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

Over the last few years, there have been so many innocent African American lives lost at the hands of my “thin blue line” brothers (and sisters) that I have lost count. I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

More than 20 years ago, I took an oath to protect and serve -PERIOD! I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

The oath I took didn’t have check off boxes where I could specify or omit any person and or group of people. I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

To my dismay, I learned early on (September 8, 1989, the day I graduated from the police academy) that racism was an alive and well animal in the law enforcement arena. I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer. Over the next 20 some odd years I would go on to see faded  “white only” signs on doors in the basement of my city’s courthouse; fellow -and I use the term “fellow” loosely-officers kick, punch and spit on African American suspects while handcuffing them and calling them niggers and I even saw officers disrespect older members, 70 and 80 year old men, of our community by calling them “boy”. The most damning situation was the one in which I was placed in handcuffs, while driving my unmarked unit, wearing my police gear and en route to work. I was stopped for speeding by one of the departments most racist officers, one who is known throughout the county for harassing African American citizens. I was later told that he became pissed at me when I referred to him as John David instead of G. David. If he had handcuffed a “fellow” officer for calling him John, go figure what he’d do to a common citizen. To continue to list instances of this sort would serve no purpose here- but believe me there have been hundreds. I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

In my opinion, the violators in each of those situations were the men and women who ignored and overlooked the signs on the doors and the officers whose behavior must be considered nothing less than deplorable, all of whom were caucasian. I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

Fast forward to July, 2016. In the short span of 72 hours there have been the senseless killings of two African American men, Philando Castile of Minnesota and Alton Sterling of Louisiana, both of whom were shot by police officers.

To law enforcement officers around the world who condone, participate in or turn a blind eye to this type of BS, which clearly precipitated the senseless deaths of 5 Texas police officers who were murdered overnight in Dallas, Texas (in some sort of retaliation, sniper shooting spree) I have these words:

That oath you took came with certain rights and responsibilities. When did protect and serve become “cuff and stuff” or “shoot first, ask questions later”?  Who, exactly, died and left you God? What makes you think you can mistreat, mishandle and/or disrespect people based on the color of YOUR skin? If you took the oath, and at some point during your career you have become confused about your rights duties and obligations, I highly suggest  the following:  a refresher police academy stint, refer to the oath for clarification or take off that uniform, locate and grab those two little gems in your trousers that help you perpetuate your craft, go to Mawmaw’s linen closet, pull out her best white King size pillow case and sheets, have her cut some holes in it for your eyes, mouth and nose and slip into your fresh new uniform. Maybe if those little gems I mentioned earlier weren’t so small, you’d have the balls to either display your true colors- KKK white – or truly defend and stand for my true colors — thin blue line- black and blue!

In closing, I ask that God watch over the families of all these victims, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling’s and slain officers, Lorne Ahrens, Michael Smith, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol and Brent Thompson.

I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author:

Hi, is this an odd name for a blog or what? We'd actually prefer it to be known as a peaceful, magical and mystical spot. It's a spot where you can stop in for a daily dose of love and laughter sprinkled with a bit of chaos, confusion and lunacy. You can get great recipes and cooking tips, as well as drilling and building ideas. Who does that? Who knows their way around the kitchen and around the tool shed? Well, I guess that's part of what'll make this blog so interesting - that and the brief glimpse you'll get into a very elite and exclusive lifestyle - one that supports a "never a dull moment" and "everything ain't for everybody" attitude. By the way, remember to keep an open mind (no judging or finger pointing), a watchful eye (be on the lookout for random giveaways), and a positive -pay it forward-attitude (everybody could use an occasional leg up). Now I know it sounds easy, but don't get it twisted, this "dance ain't for everybody", it's not always a bowl full of cherries, but we make the best of it by drinking a whole lot of lemonade and by praying daily for peace, patience and understanding; after all, we woke up like this!

41 thoughts on “I am an outraged African American law enforcement officer!”

  1. This is an outstanding post and I would like to reblog it as I think your message should be heard the world over. As an African-American law enforcement officer I can well understand your outrage over what has happened in recent times. Good for you in standing up and taking this stand.

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. Thank I feel privileged to help in this small way….even down here in Australia we feel strongly about all that is occurring.

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  3. This is a powerful post. Your stoicism in staying with your career when you have to live with these attitudes every day commands great respect. There is no simple answer to any of this. I’m in the UK, and of course these attitudes are here too. But perhaps a significant difference is that gun crime, and therefore the need for all police officers to be armed, is still infrequent. From over here, it seems that’s it’s just too easy to shoot first.

    Thanks to Michael for bringing me here.

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      1. It’s my pleasure. The message needs to be spread far and wide. Thank you too, for follow. Much appreciated 🙂

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  8. Thank you for speaking up and out. Shows clearly you stand for something, all people need to take a stand. For or Against! There’s no sitting on the fence.

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  9. Thank you for this powerful, heartfelt and thought provoking post. I have retweeted it on my Twitter account.

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing. You are brave and I can certainly feel the sincerity. I stand with you in prayer for the lost lives and their families. I also pray that people will turn to God to know Him, love Him and trust Him to heal all hurts.

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  12. A powerful and honest message, I stand with you sir and pray for people to realize we are All Gods children. It saddens me to see what is happening to young men just trying to live their lives. It is Not Right!!!!

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  13. Thank you for having the courage to write this. I feel speechless at the current state of affairs in our country. There must be a way for law enforcement officers and communities of color to come together and stop this bloodshed.

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  14. From Canada, the situation is blatantly obvious south of the border; not that we don’t have a similar problem in relation to First Nation people, though no where near as severe.

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  16. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ said the “poor” would be with us always. He didn’t say that as an indication that it was fine with Him; instead, He said it as an indictment of us. There were so many more dark elements of the human condition He also could have said would be with us always, racism would definitely be among them.

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