August 30, 2018
I’m almost home from running errands and I pass a police cruiser on the side of the road. My immediate thought, like most drivers, is “Was I speeding? Damn, I hope I don’t get a ticket.”
The cop pulls out after I pass him, and I get scared.
But I realize my fear has escalated past having to pay a fine. Like said, I’m almost home and have now turned onto my street, meaning if the cop is following me, it will be to my house.
Now I am low key freaking out. If he pulls me over, do I still drive to my house first or am I “evading capture?” What if I’m already parked when he gets behind me? Do I get out of the car or could that be seen as a threat? Would the cop still have jurisdiction to ticket me? Should I even ask? How many ways could this potentially escalate into a violent situation? What should I do??? What should I not do??? I don’t phukking know!!!
All of this is going on in my head in the few seconds it takes me to turn onto my street. I look in the rearview mirror and the cruiser passes me by. I’m relieved. But I’m shaken.
This is what it is to exist while Black. Nothing is just what it seems. There is always an extra layer. In this case, the question is will my body be brutalized because of someone else’s view that it’s dangerous.
Some of us are concerned about children emulating joke videos with fake guns. I’m much more worried about police emulating murder footage with actual guns. Because that’s the shyt that’s real.
Be safe, my people. ✊🏾
Soul Liberation Wellness 