FERGUSON

Good morning. In light of the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri I am lead to comment and maybe shed a more different light on this unfortunate situation. My condolensces to the Brown Family in the loss of their son. Only God can provide them peace (even if officer Wilson was indicted), which happens over time. They have not only lost their son, but the circumstances surround the loss of their baby are even more astounding.

Approximately 12-13% of the American Population is African American and we make up 40% of the 2 million male inmates in jail or prison (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009). Census data from 2000 reveal that African Americans are disproportionately incarcerated when compared to other races. This is noted among residents in 20 states and the percent of African Americans incarcerated was FIVE times greater than the resident population.

The NAACP claims AA constitute nearly half of the 2 million incarcerated population. Lastly, a 2013 Sentencing Project claims that 1 of every 3 AA men born today can expect to go to prison in HIS LIFETIME.

Let’s not forget that a 2010 study showed that 72% of children are born to single AA mothers and the AA male graduation rate of 52%. I can go on and on about the multitude of disparities in our communities. (These statistics contribute to PERCEPTION)

Of course, I have been combing Facebook and other medium wanting to remain informed of what’s happening in Ferguson and people’s thoughts about the situation. For the most part, the responses noted have been far from thoughtful or thought out. They have been reactionary and extraordinarily superficial. I believe a lot of us are only seeing this situation from a racial lens which makes us as guilty as the individuals we feel we have been victimized by. We see “A black man being murdered by a white man, AGAIN”.

Perception, although a singular aspect of this situation, holds a multitude of complexities that compromises our culture, communities, children and freedom as African Americans in this country. Historically, our transition into this Country was based upon a (ignorant) PERCEPTION. And at some point in our history, that PERCEPTION was turned around by our predecessors. They carried themselves in a way that demanded a paradigm shift in the way African Americans were PERCEIVED. Their standards could not be denied. These individuals caused historical changes and provided an platform for continued advancement not only for African Americans, but for all people of color.

But what happened, when did all of this change? What happened to cause the aforementioned statistics?

The way we are thought of has not only to do with ignorance of others but also a great deal to do with how we treat and see ourselves. An individual showing up to an interview in a shirt and tie is PERCEIVED as being someone who cares about their appearance, is taking the interview with a great degree of seriousness and cares about how he/she is being PERCEIVED. And the individual who shows up to an interview in jeans and sneakers is PERCEIVED in a totally different light, no matter what color you are.

Let’s explore a different PERCEPTION. Let’s talk about an AA female who was brought up in low socioeconomic conditions, whose diction is far from perfect and a Caucasian female who is able to clearly articulate herself. They both have the same education, and hold the same position. What’s your FIRST thought? I’m asking about your first thought, your instinctual thought (not your intellectual one for those who are arguing with me through the computer, LOL). EXACTLY!!! For those that are willing to admit it, your first thought is the Caucasian woman probably knows more than the African American woman. That perception is likely due to years of conditioning which plays a role in how we see ourselves.

I think if you have half a brain you understand where I am coming from. We have to stop and take a long view mirror look at ourselves to understand what’s going on with us. We MUST gain an understanding of why we PERCEIVE ourselves as inferior, minimal, not good enough and we must understand that the challenges outlined at the beginning of this blog are imprinted into the minds of people in this country, people that have the power to change our lives forever.

I hope I don’t have to explain that I am not justifying the death of Michael Brown. But what I understand is that problems didn’t start when MB encountered DW. Problems started when MB went into a coneveneince store and committed two crimes: theft and assault. His PERCEPTION of himself had to be minimal and grandiose at the same time. Moments later, there was an altercation between he and DW who likely PERCEIVED him in a lot of ways. PERCEPTIONS derived from ignorance, the way he has seen AA treated, the way he has seen AA treat themselves and his PERCEPTION OF threat…..

I live in Miami, Florida and incidents like these are far from uncommon. As a matter of fact, one of my brothers was a victim of the type of violence. He was gunned down by a police officer in June of 2013. He was not killed but came very close to loosing his life. Less than 24 hours before another one of my brothers was shot by another African American man while standing in a family member’s yard. This was surreal. I was in disbelief but had a clear understanding the PERCEPTION, on both ends, played great roles in both situations.

We ALL must UNDO the way we PERCEIVE others as well as the way we PERCEIVE ourselves. WE MUST SHIFT OUR FOCUS WHICH SHIFTS OUR PERCEPTION.