DWB - Driving While Black

Here's a facebook post from a good friend of mine, David Walker.

David is a professional photographer, writer, artist, husband, father, brother, son, grandson and friend. His skin happens to be darker than mine. I am afraid for him and for so many others like him.

     

Daddy David

Grandson David

People feel safer to express their hate and bigotry by their support of a small minded candidate who has stirred up these hidden feelings by his innuendos and outright and nastiness. He has created a safe zone for the smirks and hate expressed by those attracted to his entertainment quality.

Think about your own black friends. How would you you feel if any of them were pulled over for the offense of DWB (Driving While Black)?

"I could sum up my feelings with two words: fear and helplessness. I am fearful that my life could be taken based on a misunderstanding by those that are sworn to protect me. I only have one life. I feel helpless. I feel as if my life is in someone else's hands, and they may have preconceived ideas about how I will conduct myself.

The helplessness has a physical weight, man. It seems as if I am always trying to convince people that my concerns are legitimate and that a badge does not sanctify every action of a law enforcement officer. Many of these same individuals tell me that all lives matter. The Declaration of Independence affirms that "all men are created equal." "All" did not include me then, so why should I assume that it includes me now? Perhaps a person's value at birth does not determine how others treat them or their worth in life. I am a black man. Does my life matter? It seems to be a cumbersome phrase for many even to utter aloud. I am also a writer. Fortunately, I have the ability to articulate my thoughts and feelings. I feel sorry for those that cannot, but their pain in no less real.

I would say that the fear and helplessness comes from the realization that if ever in have a misunderstanding with a law enforcement officer and am shot, few will listen to me. Onlookers will only say, "I do not see the problem," or they may tell me that somehow, someway, this is all my fault.

I am tired. Unfriend me if you want".

David Walker

David Walker is an American lifestyle photographer, graphic designer, and essayist and Author of The Augustan: Short, thought-provoking commentary on culture, politics, and social issues.

Gun Control Desperately Needed

My Letter to all of my Senators, Members of Congress, my Governor and State Representatives

As a member of a family of gun owners, I firmly believe in thorough background checks and waiting periods. In NJ, a police officer was required to approve any request for each new gun purchase.

Our finger prints are on file in several NJ state data bases, as we were also Foster parents to troubled teenagers. They are in the Federal system for our Global Entry travel.

Nothing can be done about the millions of guns already sold at gun shows and dumped into the crime stream. However we can stop the bleeding.

There is NO reason that ANY civilian needs to own a gun or rifle designed for combat purposes. I do not believe that restricting the sale of those types of weapons denies my right to bear arms.

A neighbor of ours has a fully automatic M16 for "competition" purposes. We hear him in his personal backyard gun range once or twice a month playing with it for about 5-10 minutes, just because he can. He isn't expecting a herd of rabid attack deer to storm his house.

I am sick and tired of the gun lobby directing the Republican Party's actions. Just to make money, the gunmakers keep scaring people into thinking someone is going to take away their guns.

That will never happen unless the 10+ million illegal immigrants are each given an armload to carry when they deport all of them.

As an Independent, I fully supported the Senator Chris Murphy's filibuster in the Senate. Not allowing people on the no fly list is just the beginning. Please wake up and listen to the Majority of US citizens. Start acting on passing responsible gun ownership.
I am sure you were deeply affected by the slaughter in Charleston. Now multiply that by 7, not even counting the wounded.

Please do what you can influence your party members! Help pass tougher SC laws and follow the beliefs of 90% of the population.

If we could buy guns in NJ with their extremely tough gun laws, then we could buy them in SC under the same conditions.

Thank you for your service.

We Have Removed the Symbol of Racism from the SC Capitol - Now the Structure of Racism Must Go

I had tears of joy  in my eyes as the Confederate flag was taken from the South Carolina State House today, It flew over the SC Capitol and that of other southern states for over 50 years as the symbol of racism. Now it's time to "take down the structure of racism" as quoted on a newscast this morning.

After living in South Carolina for almost 10 years, I never thought the politicians would take down that flag flying over the State House and many other government buildings. I thought, true to form, they were stalling to see if things would blow over, as there were still holdouts up to the last minute with 20 votes against taking it down! 

It should have been taken down years ago and never was for all of the wrong reasons. The tragedy that struck Charleston was an impetus for a few to take down their overt and embarrassing symbols of racism, originally flown for that express purpose. How sorry I am that it took such a tragedy to wake us up to something so simple to correct, that offended so many.

I agree it won't solve the problem of inherent or taught racism.But it can't be ignored or not discussed. I see it less racism down here than in the North where I lived most of my life. 

At least here it's more obvious if someone is a racist. Other's tend to mask their feelings about those that are different from themselves or joke about it or those they are afraid of or hate: a culture, religion, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc., etc.  

There is a lot of ignorance in the world and not talking about these things allows many to continue to teach their kids and those generations after them to hate. Ask any person of color about the talk they give to their sons of how to act when driving or being pulled over for DWB. 

My dad was a police officer but there are some over zealous officers out there, just like there are some over zealous people who fight for causes infused with ignorance. 

Back to the flag. I know it has been used by many thinking it's part of their proud heritage and what makes them an American, flown for fun by enthusiastic people not truly understanding what it means and how offensive it is to not only blacks, but to all Americans. 

It is a symbol of the Civil War and in ignorance, it's not even the true Confederate flag . As described by several folks I have encountered, the War of Northern Aggression, was fought for many reasons, but grandest of all it was fought to protect slavery. 

That is not a heritage I would be proud of and want represented and reminded of by flying the symbol over the SC capitol or over the capitol of my home state birth, NJ. Do you think Governor Chris Christie would allow that to happen? Fa get about it!

We have one flag that symbolizes America and that is the the flag of the United States, Old Glory, the American Flag. Let's let that flag fly high and proud over all of our government buildings and not make room on flag poles, in our hearts, in our minds or in our teachings and dealings with others that we will tolerate ignorance and injustice. God Bless you and God Bless America. 

Pax Vobiscum