Linda Rios/Contributing Writer
With cellphone recordings and social media, the recent tragedies involving police officers when targeting African Americans seem to be showing up more frequently than in previous years.
President Obama released a statement on July 8, where he addressed the police shootings and provided some staggering statistics. Among the list of statistics he shared, the president mentioned how “African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to be searched after being pulled over.”
When discussing the incarceration percentages, Obama mentioned that African American defendants are 75 percent more likely to be charged with offenses carrying mandatory minimums, as well as receiving sentences that are 10 percent longer than those given to Whites committing the same crime.
How is it possible that after all these years with slavery abolished and the Civil Rights Movement, African American citizens are still being treated poorly?
The New York Times, who published the press conference given by President Obama, also included that the Hispanic and African American community, being only 30 percent of the United States population, occupy more than 50 percent of jails all over the nation.
Several activist groups have decided to take a stand and fight for the rights of those affected by the recent events, not only for African Americans, but also the families of the victims who have regretfully passed away due to the violence that has taken place in the past few days.
Some musicians have also released new songs in order to raise funds and support the families who are currently grieving for their loved ones.
Why is it that during times of violence, everyone is willing to help out yet no one stands up to fight the root of the problem? Spur of the moment actions only provide temporary solutions.
It’s time to realize that our actions, or inaction, is going to lead us down a destructive path, unless we stop and make a change now.
Every couple of years, there are songs and movies that promote change and peace in the world but is it finally going to happen or are we going to wait a couple more decades to realize that it’s too late?
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Image retrieved from Flickr.
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