Shout out to my good friend Catasha Davis who posted this quote on her facebook page moments after the decision had been made to NOT indict the officer, Daniel Pantaleo who wrongfully killed Eric Garner...
Reading this quote reminded me of the first time I read The Fire Next Time. It was an ironic feeling because the social issues that Baldwin was discussing were directed for the people of the 1960's. Yet, at the time I read his book (Fall 2013), I felt as if his messages and ideas were still applicable for today's generation. And sadly enough, the quote above matches perfectly to the inhumane treatment that certain black bodies have had a history of dealing with and STILL continue to deal with in today's modern society.
I have made an effort to observe, read, question, analyze, and even ponder all of the different responses about the Mike Brown issue and the recent Eric Garner decision. It is quite obvious there are a number of people who feel beyond hopeless, frustrated beyond measure, and simply just tired…So tired that some may even feel compelled to give up. Perhaps even consider something like this....
But what I found most troubling, is the people who refuse to acknowledge the PROBLEM and HISTORY in regards to the treatment of black bodies and the police. People are saying "set your clocks back 300 years" as if this type of treatment is old and outdated... when in reality...you don't have to go back that far to acknowledge that this has been an ONGOING problem for some time now! You can set it back to 31 years ago with Michael Stewart(1983) or 5 years ago to Oscar Grant(2009). Yet people want to act as if this is not a problem and spew ignorant statements such as:
"Race is not an issue!"
"There isn't a problem with the police!"
"These people get what they deserved! They shouldn't have been breaking the law"
"The system DOES work!"
All of the above statements left me with the following expression:
But all jokes aside, let's get one thing straight. The fact is, what is happening now in 2014 has been happening FOR DECADES! The issue does not begin with Mike Brown or Eric Garner. Unbeknownst to some people, there has been an ongoing HISTORY of the police showing no type of respect, honor, or value for the lives of black people in this country. The truth of the matter is, the police have been patrolling, killing, and targeting people of color way before you or even I, were able to make a facebook opinion about the issue.
Myself and the rest of the Don’t Even Tripp staff are committed to using our ART to bring awareness, discourse, and TRUTH to these problems our society is dealing with. Don’t Even Tripp’s next production: Generation of Dreams highlights these topical issues and even brings up the HISTORICAL facts that demonstrate how our past correlates with our present.
We are launching our new website this evening on December 4th, 2014 in remembrance of the night the great Black Panther Leader, Fred Hampton, was murdered. Today holds historical significance in regards to the treatment of black bodies in relation to the police. The fight that Hampton and others were fighting 45 years ago, is a struggle some of us are still fighting today.
Fred Hampton was chairman of the Black Panther Party Illinois chapter. He rallied for peace & progression for ALL people and was most recognized for his involvement in the rainbow collation. A movement that prompted Chicago Gangs to end violence and draw peace with one another. Unfortunately, Hampton was murdered when the Chicago police raided his home while he was sleeping on the night of December 4th 1969. The raid was led by FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover and his task force COINTELPRO. A group dedicated to dismantling peaceful political organizations.
But don't take my word for it...Do your own research. Here are some helpful articles to get you started:
Click here
Or Here
Or if you don’t like to read, here is a film:
Click here
Or Here
I am by no ways advocating that ALL police are bad. However, to not acknowledge the history, the facts, and apparent outrage of a community who is tried and fed up of the ongoing injustice is simply not fair or correct. Regardless of race, political, or social standing, as an active contributing citizen of this society, it is important to recognize that this issue does matter!
Don’t Even Tripp makes a vow to address, acknowledge, and fully confront social issues like these in our productions.
but more importantly
Our website and teaser video will be launching in the next few hours!
"You can kill a revolutionary but you can never kill the revolution."
-Fred Hampton
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