Delusions of Grandeur

I told myself I wouldn’t do it, but there I was watching the opening statements of the Derek Chauvin trial. I could feel my blood pumping through my veins with the intensity of molten lava when I saw his face on the screen. My heightened awareness might have been due to my obvious anger: the same anger that gave birth to an unsettled spirit who has witnessed far too many injustices in this short lifetime. After a string of all too familiar atrocities, my cynicism was on red alert. Let it be known, I do not trust the justice system or those who profit from Black death, but that’s a whole other story.

Each time I think of George Floyd, I reminded of the fact it could have been me. What would the media say about me if I were in his shoes? What would the consensus be? Would America label me a thug? Would America come to the conclusion that my life wasn’t worth a damn? America has a strange love affair with Black death.

Is America really as great as it proclaims itself to be? I’ll answer the question for you: it is not. We mustn’t hide from the truth, for the truth shall hopefully set this country free of its staggering delusion. As important issues such as race-related crimes against humanity go unpunished, I often wonder when those in leadership will finally address the elephant in the room. I’m not talking about symbolic gestures, but real meaningful change.

Racist policies and agendas continue to fuel the racial divide. One day we’ll reach a tipping point, perhaps we’re already there. We find ourselves at this uncomfortable crossroad time and time again. When will things change? They utter God Bless America from their chambers. What kind of God relishes in Black death and oppression?

America must wake up and deal with its sin against my people, until then, it cannot truly move forward. Four years of Donald Trump has shown us just how far things could go when open racism and hatred are not checked or challenged by those who lead. We cannot deny this reality. As the killers of Brionna Taylor and many other’s continue to walk free, there will never truly be peace in the land. The soil of this nation is stained with the blood of my people. We cannot pretend this ugly history is not apart of the American story.

Be encouraged brothers and sisters. As the trial of Derek Chauvin continues, please be kind to yourself as the information we learn over the coming days may be triggering and overwhelming. Please give yourself grace and take care of your mental today.