04/28/2015
I sit and watch as the media blasts pictures of people rioting and looting the streets, but nothing is being shown of the peaceful protests that are taking place. Injustice should be intolerable, yet people choose to focus on the riots being intolerable. Merciless and baseless killing should be intolerable, yet we're focusing on the broken windows and shattered glass. I'm not justifying the actions of the rioters, but understand where this is coming from. The people of aren't rioting without a cause. What's going on in is not new. We all know that, but no one wants to say it. It's a symptom of a people who has for years been ignored, treated poorly and have had to live in a society where the ones who are supposed to be protecting them are harassing and abusing them. The tension has been rising, but for long it's been ignored. served as the catalyst that set the wheels in motion. The rioting is a last resort. It's a sign of hopelessness. And because of that, I cannot condemn them. As Malcolm X so shamelessly said, "if you're not careful, the newspapers [media] will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." It's time for a change. And I cannot sit back, with a clear conscience and stay silent on this matter. For this, I speak up. Because lately, it seems like people have forgotten that photo cred:
-Angelique T. Gayle
Founder and CEO
