clark

Another day. Another hashtag. Another unarmed black man killed.

This is the reality of black people in America in the year of two-thousand-eighteen. This is the daily reminder we are forced to see flashed across our screens, as we hold the ones we love close to us. These public displays of executing black people are designed to keep us in check. To reiterate we are not that far from the Jim Crow days.

On Sunday, Sacramento, Calif., police officers shot and killed Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man and father of two in his backyard. Initially, the officers involved claimed Clark had a weapon, but then later recanted their statement admitting it was his cellphone.

In their original press release, a rep stated the officers were responding to a call of someone breaking into cars near the home of the victim. Clark resided with his grandparents and siblings. At the time, he fit “the description” of a thin, 6-foot-1 black man, hiding in a backyard given to police.

clark

According to Sacramento Sheriff’s Department who provided sky support, they saw Clark in a backyard. At that point, they reported seeing him pick up a “crowbar” and break a nearby window. The press release continued with seeing the victim run towards another house to break another window.

After which, responding officers approached Clark, asked him to stop and show his hands, but he refused and ran away. The officers followed in pursuit, but claimed “Clark turned to run towards them, while holding an object in front of him.”

Believing the alleged crowbar was a gun, the officers fired twenty shots at Clark in “fear of their lives.” Holding their position for well over five minutes, the officers waiting until additional officers arrived before handcuffing him and attempting lifesaving efforts.

clark

In the most recent press release, contrary to what the officers originally admitted, no firearm was on the scene, and the object in question was Clark’s cellphone. Body cameras were worn, but no additional footage from the “sky support” has surfaced.

In all the history of black people and the police, isn’t it weird how these stories always end up in the victims (who don’t have guns) were initially running away from the police (who have guns), but then start running towards the police?

Crazy ain’t it?

Yeah, I thought so too.

But we all know how this will go.

Basically, this will be another “I was scared for my life, I thought he was going to kill me, I saw an object that looked like a gun” narrative. The officers will be placed on paid leave, then charged, but cleared by a jury of their peers. Another black family will have to bury a child, while the rest of Black America go on with teaching their children the reality of being black in Amerikkka.

 

READ: IT AIN’T TERRORISM IF YOU’RE WHITE

Shadress Denise
Follow Me
Latest posts by Shadress Denise (see all)