These Eyes Have Seen...

This last week has been one of the busiest, stressful, and emotionally torrential weeks I've ever experienced.

As many of you know by now, last Wednesday, Vonderrit Myers was gunned down by an off-duty police officer working a secondary and neighborhood security. He was stopped because he looked suspicious, and reportedly fired at the officer, who in turn shot at Vonderrit 16 times.

Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.

Are you sick to your stomach yet? If not, try saying it out loud.

Since then this city, still looming in the shadow of Mike Brown's death in August, has erupted in peaceful protests again. Personally, I have been out in the streets protesting and/or assisting protesters every night since last Thursday. The following are just some of the things my eyes have seen in that time.

(All of the following photos were taken by me.)

This has been my life this last week. Protests, planning, meeting with people, avoiding police, working my regular job(s), and standing up for what's right. 

Why am I out here? Because Mike Brown could've been my little brother. Vonderrit Myers could've been my little brother. John Crawford could've been me. The level of unjust treatment of blacks in this country by the very police force that is supposed to "protect and serve" in our communities is ludicrous. There is a reason black people don't like, nor feel comfortable around members of the police force. They poke and prod, and attempt to provoke those who are nonviolently protesting on the very sidewalks that they have deemed we have the right to protest on. I have seen officers of the law blow kisses at women protesters, push and shove journalists, grab at innocent and nonviolent protesters, and a litany of other things that if the public TRULY saw, would be very ashamed. 

And I can't stand for that. I stand for what's right. And I'll continue to stand until things change. Until the people and mindset change. 

Y'all be easy. 

Glow

She told me I glowed.
That I illuminated everything around me with light.
That I was her beacon at night and
Her  reason to fight for happiness.
That I made the mess less.
She told me I shined like the country thick sun
Setting on the horizon.
That I was the lighthouse on the dock
And she the ship steadying itself
In choppy waters.
That I was the second hand on the clock.
Consistently moving forward.
Not too fast.
Not too slow.
Just the right pace.
She said I put a smile on her face.
That my smile set ablaze to her heart
And
She wanted to be a part of that.
Now she wants to be apart from that.
How does one embark from that?
Wh y would you want a fresh start from that?
I don't know.
She doesn't realize...
She was the reason for
My glow.