What people should understand about the protests that have been occurring nationwide following Mike Brown's death is that the protesters are drawing attention and unifying the country around police brutality which so-called minorities and underprivileged communities have been suffering for years.
If it had not been for protesters blocking traffic, showing up to malls, boycotting Black Friday and disrupting Orthodox life as usual, we would not be seeing the president talking about legislation to de-militarize the police. We would not see politicians talking about video and audio equipment for law enforcement. I filed the bill last year and I couldn't get the support of some the politicians talking about filing or the need of this type of legislation now.
Yesterday, I was asked what difference video equipment would make when the police that killed Eric Garner were on video and still evaded prosecution. Well the answer is simple, exposure. It's hard for society to change until the ugly nature of that society and or the institutions that make up that society are exposed. I stand in solidarity with those that are protesting peacefully. As a state representative. I fight passionately to change a system that has overt biasness in it. As a black man or an American of African descent, it infuriates me when I hear mainstream society belittle those communities that have been oppressed. There are factual, non-anecdotal disparities that are evident in our institutions, social and economic conditions.
I could continue to rant and rave but my true motivation for writing this letter is to ask those that are willing to fight for change to join me regardless of one's ethnicity, social status, educational attainment or income. As an elected official, I would like to make it known that you have somebody that is willing to stand with you and to fight with you to change a system that has to be changed. You may contact me at [email protected].