Via | HuffPost
The news broke Monday afternoon that yet another jury has declined to indict a person responsible for the unnecessary death of a black person.
There was Trayvon Martin. And Michael Brown. And Sandra Bland. And now 12-year-old Tamir Rice’s killer won’t be put on trial. The message is clear: Black life in America is as expendable as ever.
Every time the shooting death of another young life goes unpunished, subtle messages are communicated to young black people about how they should behave, expect to be treated, and navigate the world. These lessons include:
1. Be respectful to police, no matter what. (Even when they unfairly threaten or arrest you, ignore basic protocols, and use excessive force.)
2. Sometimes that won’t help.
3. Sometimes that won’t save your life.
4. Do not wear hoodies.
5. Or baggy pants, or any other clothing that might be misconstrued as “thuggish.”
