Enough is Enough

As the owner of this publication, I take full ownership of the thoughts and statements presented below, as well as the knowledge and responsibility for delaying in writing this when the protests started. While I aim to present stories and news that are of the utmost objective level possible, I feel responsible for presenting something that shares my beliefs and what I hope others agree with, even while some may not. And, although this is an opinion piece, it is a piece that I feel should be taken as seriously as that of any other news story on this publication. I am not Black, so I cannot write on behalf of someone who is, nor share their experiences. But I can do my part in taking part of a discussion and writing what I feel needs to be said.

The United States has had such a vivid history of oppression towards minorities, that when observed in the present day, one wonders why such actions were committed in the first place. Only, the oppression is ongoing today, making it seem as if such history was not an event in the past but merely a years-long story with no end.

While it can be said without a doubt that every minority has had its fair share of struggles in society, in my own opinion, I would have to say that the African American population in the United States is the community that faces the most and worst backlash of all. From slavery and Jim Crow laws in history, to the present day where systematic racism is much too common and police brutality against a Black individual is the new norm, African Americans are oppressed more than what others have to en dour.

With that being said, there has to be the clarification that the "All Lives Matter" movement is completely different from the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Yes, all individuals should be treated equally with no exception, but it holds no ground when only one group is suffering and the others are not.

For instance, if there is a house on fire, the fire department is not going to hose down every house on the block; they will only put out the fire of the house that needs it. The same applies to minority groups. If African Americans are suffering, not every other underrepresented group will be provided support and aid, just the group that needs the support.

On the topic of addressing how other minority groups play into the recent political and societal environment, it must also be said and acknowledged that people of color are not to be intertwined and used in the same category as being Black. In this case, the same argument of "All Lives Matter" vs "Black Lives Matter" applies. In addition, however, there is also the fact that people of color (Hispanics, Asians, etc.) have been racist against African Americans.

The color of one's skin, whether White or other, does not determine whether one is guilty or innocent of committing a racist act or not. Anyone can be racist.

The recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked a revolution that was long overdue. Though his death was not the first instance of police brutality towards African Americans, I believe that it was the catalyst to a revolution around the country that acts as a wake-up call.

In the case of George Floyd, Officer Derek Chauvin murdered Floyd, plain and simple. The purpose of a police force is to protect its citizens, but by placing his full weight on his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 straight minutes, tells me that the purpose of the police is more like terrorizing the public.

I am not going to post the video of Floyd being killed by Chauvin, but any one is more than welcome to look up the video on their own. I do think, however, that people should watch the video, as it shows how Floyd was begging for his life but how Chauvin simply did not budge and the by standing officers let him. For what the police thought to be a counterfeit $20 bill, the death of a man was not called for. With this, I can only see the death of Floyd as a murder, and nothing else. And, given the past record of Officer Chauvin, including inappropriately shooting Leroy Martinez and Ira LaTrell Toles, the question is posed of why such a harmful man is continuously allowed back to work.

Given the past record of Chauvin, and the most recent arrest and charge of third degree murder, what should be analyzed and questioned is whether or not justice not only for Floyd, but for every Black person who was killed by the hands of a police officer, is being delivered to its fullest possible extent. What Chauvin did was murder a man, and charging him of third degree murder is simply a slap in the face.

From what I see, after observing Floyd's death and other deaths of African-Americans caused by police brutality, justice has not been served and nor will it be in the immediate future. Unfortunately, cops are held to a degree where it appears that the law does not apply to them. Such instances can be seen in the case of Eric Garner who was selling cigarettes, where Officer Daniel Pantaleo choked him and was only fired 5 years after the incident occurred in 2014, with no charges made against him. Another instance can be seen in the case of LaVall Hall in 2015, where cops shot him to death knowing that Hall was a schizophrenic and was in a state of rage. Once again, no cops were charged with a crime, as was the case with dozens of other cases.

Time and time again, there are crimes committed by those who vow to protect us, but yet the very law that they impose on citizens is the same law that they avoid constantly.

The death of George Floyd was not the sole cause of the ongoing protests that we see today. Floyd's death is only the tip of the iceberg that should have sunk the ship of ongoing oblivion and blindness of unjust acts done by state forces. The protests we see today are both sad, in that they should not have been happening in the first place if actions to undo the wrongs of police were done long ago, and beautiful, to see so many people of all colors and corners of life come together to make equality apply to every group of people, this case being Black people.

Observing multiple clips of the protests on social media and news outlets, it has to be said that these started off as peaceful protests, since no one wants to deal with the police negatively. Only, it is when the police, either in uniform or undercover, instigate, violate and harass the rights of citizens' first amendment right to "peaceably assemble" and "petition the Government for a redress of grievances," that protests form into riots.

I can only say this for myself, but along with the deaths of multiple Black people in the United States and seeing how police hurt the peace, police in this country is an institution that serves a purpose to terrorize and install fear, rather than protecting its citizens. While I can admit that there are policemen who haven't been corrupted or done anything illegal and done absolutely everything by the book, some who have even walked with protesters, I cannot stand by the "not all cops..." argument. What this movement fights against is an institution that does not carry out the laws on itself, where murderers who wear the blue uniform are automatically transformed into a person simply doing their job, and an institution that clearly does not see a problem in its own system and fails to do anything about its failures, evidenced by the ongoing deaths of citizens throughout distant and recent history.

As for the protests and riots, there can only be so many opinions and thoughts on whether the destruction of property and looting stores is the best or appropriate way to send a message. Only it should be mentioned that a majority of big businesses that are being looted or broken into can easily be repaired and the items can be replaced. Lives cannot. Target CEO, Brian Cornell, has even released a statement expressing support for the protests.

While I would never condone destruction of property, especially that of small businesses whose owners are often in agreement with the goals of such protests, I have to take a step back and look at what all of these actions are for, and I have to respect it.

And with the destruction of buildings, there is also the large effort of citizens cleaning up the streets a day after. I have not seen news outlets show this side of the story, and I do think it is important, and also helpful in advancing the cause at hand.

In regard to the actual people on the front lines fighting for equality and justice, I of course would have to applaud them for their bravery and courage to taking a stance against injustice acts. American citizens have every right to protest and over throw the government that is not fully serving their needs, and this right was granted by the founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Whether it be out on the streets, or signing petitions and donating to organizations, thousands of people are doing whatever they can.

But there comes the question of what others are doing who remain silent. First, it is interesting to see how so many people who embrace Black culture, from music to clothing, to even saying the n-word when their skin color does not mirror with what they say, stay silent. There has to be absolute solidarity with each other in any and every case, not just in instances of fashion or music interest. And, secondly, if one remains silent, then they silently choose the side of the oppressor, by allowing the injustices to go on. While not everyone can donate or go out and protests, there are still so many ways of showing your support, such as sharing a link of where people can donate, or even a picture of Floyd in your Instagram story to show solidarity. Even talking about this issue makes a difference.

But to ignore the issue and not do a single thing out of the countless options available, you are simply allowing for more deaths and wrong acts to go on.

At the end of the day, we all have to realize that enough is enough. It is now 2020, and to see a fight that has been continuing for so long is frustrating. While today marks the first day of Pride month, we must not forget that the Black Lives Matter movement is still ongoing, and its importance is perhaps at its most highest. For a country that claims to be the most free in the world, we are failing, and everyone must be held accountable.

The principles of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" mean nothing until the effort is made where everyone is equal and free to enjoy such principles.

Listed below are links for petitions that you can sign, and organizations that you can donate to and learn more information.

The Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter

Action Bail Bond supported by White People 4 Black Lives

Bring all officers involved in the Floyd case to justice by Color of Change

Petition of "Justice for George Floyd"

Mapping Police Violence

**Photos courtesy of Dylan De Baldo**