Too many women belong to an elite club that no one in their right minds would want membership in.
If you’ve ever seen Haile Gerima’s movie, Sankofa, a mother’s pain is excellently portrayed and has been part of my psyche for decades. Her anguished cries were reminiscent of the moans I’ve heard so many times from mothers who have lost a child.
Which brings me to my truth.
Last week, there could have been another member inducted into that “club” of women who lost sons to police violence/brutality.
Outrage is mounting across the country as video of Plano (TX) police arresting a young Black man, 18-year-old RJ Reese, walking home after working the late shift at Walmart.
Police say they responded to a call about a man in shorts and t-shirt, stumbling in the street during the winter storm.
The situation escalated. All I could do was clench my teeth and shake my head as I watched the officers try to “help” RJ before taking him to jail. They ask if he was okay and he responds that he lives a short distance away and didn’t need any help. They persisted, offering a ride. He declined. He just wanted to go home.
10:45pm on February 16 in Plano
A Class C misdemeanor, could have cost RJ his life. It was a case of majoring in the minors!
Now charges have been dropped but RJ will probably always remember that night in jail.
He’s not a criminal and his actions weren’t either.
An inquiry is expected.
We can’t condone or excuse the handling of that encounter. And for those who have alternative narratives, it is refreshing that you are becoming the minority.
