Protesting Does NOTHING: Mike Brown 2 Years Later

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I’m tired of marching.

First, let me be clear that I have nothing but appreciation for my ancestors who marched and paved the way for change. This has NOTHING to do with them. But in the words of today’s conscious activist’s, “This ain’t yo mama Civil Rights Movement”. I couldn’t agree more.

Today is the 2 year anniversary of the murder of Mike Brown. Shot and killed by officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Brown’s death sparked national outrage. How could someone be shot dead in the street with their hands up?

My husband and I made our way from Chicago to Ferguson not long after to demonstrate with other protesters. The unity of the people was magical to witness. I knew my ancestors would be proud of me. We came back to Chicago full and ready to witness justice take her rightful place. We waited and waited. Justice never showed up.

Instead more violence overtook the land. Tamir Rice. Freddie Gray. Sandra Bland. LaQuan McDonald. Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Korryn Gaines. Paul O’neal.

The police kill us. We march. The police kill us, again. We march. Where is the progress?

This weekend Chicago protesters took to the streets with a goal to “shut down” CPD due to the murder of Paul O’Neal.

shutdowncpdSo you shut down the police headquarters for maybe 1-2 hours and then what? What happens? I’ll tell you what happens, the next day they return to work. If I was a police officer I’d be extremely content with the redundant cycle of activists protesting. It’s cute. It’s safe. It’s ineffective.

It’s time for protesting to evolve into policy. Our ancestors marched and protested, but also enforced policies. Until we come together to implement a real change, we will continue this cycle of ineffective protesting.

R.I.P. Mike Brown

 

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Tanikia Carpenter

Tanikia is a lifestyle writer & blogger from Chicago. Her work has been featured on the TLC network, ESSENCE, and Huff Post LIVE, just to name a few. Tanikia is a regular contributor to Black & Married With Kids and the columnist of JET Magazine's "Giving You the Gospel". She is also the author of "When God Said Yes" & "The 30 Day Man Fast".