2020 Protests. Happy Birthday Baby girl.

By Alfredo A. weeks

May 31st, my oldest daughters' birthday. Set at the end of spring where families are looking forward to gathering in the summer heat. This year, just like all of my daughters past birthdays, we planned our annual donations in honor of celebrating another year of my little girls' life. The donations were bought in the form of fruits and veggies and canned goods, which we were excited to be able to donate to a local food pantry.

The difference this year was that our donations would go towards feeding protesters in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Happy birthday baby girl.

Before the world witnessed the brutal murder of George Flyod, the world had to bare witnesses to a black man, unarmed, Ahmaud Aubry die at the hands of to two white vigilantes while under state mandated quarantine. Summer 2020 already had ingredients for protests and public outcries, the world had reached its boiling point.

The days I set out on a jog felt like I was a one man protest​.

Almost everyone while in quarantine, found a retreat in pockets of grass and trees throughout public parks. Trying our best to keep our distance, we found ourselves and humanity in the sun.

Some days we would take the car and drive to a park, while on other days I'd ride my bike. The days I set out on a jog felt like I was a one man protest. Watching as some white park goers stretch their gaze at me as if they'd figured me out.

Concealed to carry owners giving themselves away because they felt the itch as I jogged. These fools were shook, but they weren't listening.

“they almost killed my brother because of a misdiagnosis and the failure to lend an ear.”

Just like the health care workers weren't listening to my older brother as he sat in a hospital room over the last two weeks. I almost lost my brother to someone wanting to stroke their own ego, only to bragg about their medical credentials. All while lacking the capability to treat my brother like a decent human being. Doctors took my brothers' health concerns as if he was a junkie, running into a hospital looking for the strongest drugs they could give him.

Due to the incompetence in how to communicate with a black man in America, they almost killed my brother because of a misdiagnosis and the failure to lend an ear.

Humanizing the black experience, taking our complaints to heart and treating us as if you give a damn would have kept this whole drama series of 2020 at bay for at least a while.

Protests about police brutality and systemic racism were bound to happen. The age of "F#(k it" is upon us. While the recently graduating class of 2020, are getting their "On the job" experience of the life to come.

Sobering isn't it.

But not as sobering as in how, way too many black realities are unjustly determined by some white person who thinks they need to tell us what we mean instead of listening to what we are saying. Get over the accents, the culture and the swag because, Im Black, I'm Black, I'm Black, Black on Black, Black, Black.... , and nothing will ever change that.

"I'd enjoy it more talking about the Chad's in the gym, barbecue Becky's and Central Park Karen's who act as if they don't play a large part"

Somehow I just keep coming across white people who seem to believe I must be coming from a broken home, with drug addicted parents and I should appreciate it that we're even talking.To me it's only two things, either they're talking out of complete ignorance or stupidity, in my eyes racism and prejudices use both.

See, it would be easy to write about the police killings and the district attorneys who took a blind eye to a couple of neighborhood vigilantes. But, I'd much more enjoy talking about the Chad's in the gym, barbecue Becky's and the Central Park Karen's who act as if they don't play a large part in building up this perception on how aggressive or pitiful black people seem to them. These are the people who I believe are the culprits who sit on their lies for years. Knowing they're the cause for an innocent life to be lost, families harassed and decent law abiding citizens treated like criminals just because Chad, Karen and Becky felt uncomfortable, not threatened.

To be optimistic, only reveals the hope I have for our communities.

So, here we are witnessing protests throughout the world, compiled with various levels of anger hoping this movie of 2020 comes to an end.

In my eyes, the world is in a catch 22. We're damned if we don't speak out against police brutality and, we're damned if we protest only to be called rioters, looters and monsters who have nothing better to do. On the other side of this catch 22 is the risk in finding unity through these marches while gambling with our lives and hoping we don't catch Covid-19. Hopefully we won't find ourselves in one of these hospitals. If it just so happens to be that one of us are found in the ER room, you better hope and pray these doctors are listening.

we live in a "democracy" that allows space for private citizens to participate in this idea of policing the police.

The case is simple to me. Yes we speak out, we show anger, and we protest. But, if we as a society cannot figure out what a united central plan and result should be then we have a bigger problem ahead of us. I ask for new, independent oversight of those who police our communities. Hire more officers who live in Black communities and demand local politicians to hold officers and district attorneys more accountable. Building this oversight from a local, statewide and national level could be a broad roadmap to solve a few of the problems we face.

Other than policing the police, I think the strongest move we can make is to encourage and support new Black owned businesses. Black owned businesses could boost our standings as a whole so we can move our dollars to influence the way our communities are policed. From small mom and pops shops to large corporations, we need more Black entrepreneurs. Thinking about building a business? Remember the 9-5 gig is cool, but if you are really thinking about building a business remember whatever is gained through a day job should be funneled towards building your business after you clock out.

We've been in this situation way too many times as a country, but far too many times to count for the Black community.

Incidents left in the shadows. Offenses made by people we are supposed to trust and expect to hold a higher standard because training dictates. History would show, in America legislation to protect Black citizens only came after the smoke settled, protesters jailed and innocent lives lost.

To be optimistic, only reveals the hope I have for our communities. I believe we will find our one unified voice, not only for the lives lost but also for the solutions needed.

As we witness the continued unrest throughout the world, I ask everyone to learn how we as individuals, regardless of background, income or experience can offer support to the communities we live in. In order better understand the plight of Black communities and educate ourselves on the causes, effects and solutions to get through these trying times.

”Truth is on the side of the oppressed".

For other minority communities, understand that the Black and Indigenous American communities were the first to fight for your civil rights. This should be a reminder for other minority communities to know that, if black communities' human rights are infringed upon today, the same will happen to your rights tomorrow.

As for White allies to the cause, thanks for showing up but realize this is not your time to lead. It's time to listen and learn, and remember you can never be more devested about racial inequalities than Black communities. So hold your tears.

Watching all shades of people, immigrants as well as Americans who were born and raised in this country, Black and White are marching for the same cause makes me optimistic.

We have a long way to go before our communities are healed. I'm confident positivity and unity will prevail.

For those who are confused, be on the right side of history and if you are trying to figure out what the right side should be, never forget that "Truth is on the side of the oppressed".

Peace and love everyone.