NYC’s latest display of state sponsored terrorism against young Black males is the murder of 16yr old Kimani Gray in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood. The police claim, as they approached several youth, that Gray displayed a firearm and pointed it at them, causing them to discharge their weapons at him.
This story has been repeated ad nauseam during my 42 years of life. A gun, a wallet, a package of Skittles and a can Arizona Iced Tea. Kimani Gray chose to run from the police that evening because being arrested was something he couldn’t bring home to his mother. For little girls in the ghetto it’s coming home pregnant. For little ghetto boys it’s getting arrested. These are the burdens they are ashamed to transfer to their parents.
I’m not here to tell people that Kimani Gray was some angelic child. He was a 16yr old, like all children who are 16yrs old. They are silly, childish and mostly hormonal. Growing up in a city without a permanent male role model is difficult for most young boys. The images of males in the streets and the media all point to an alpha male hyper-masculinity. There isn’t any space to be 16yrs old and vulnerable.
This drop isn’t about police brutality. Of course the police are brutal. They are cowards trained to fear these young boys, as well as to be the first line of defense when someone DOES have a gun and the intentions to do ill. The people in poor communities aren’t allowed to have their relationship with the police both ways. The only way they will have it is with police using their triggers indiscriminately. There will be no security without the sacrifice of their young. This is the prevailing theme.
But this drop isn’t about the police. We already know what their role is in this bullshit. This post is for all the 16yr old Black males still alive at the time this drop goes live on this site, or the moment your eyes find this page. All the Black boys in places like Chicago, St.Louis and Camden, still clinging to whatever life we will allow them to eke out after we have taken all their essence from them. After we have taken all of their style, slang, swagger and soul and put it into the capitalistic blender to create a Harlem Shake.
After we have taken everything beautiful and prideful from them, what will these Black boys have left?
Like the Central Park Five, all the Black boys will have left is this AmeriKKKan hell. Unless WE demand more for them.
In my prayers Kimani Gray may at least have gone to Heaven.
Another life taken at the hands of the police…I am grateful to still be alive at 28 and living in Corona, Queens where it seems that our area has been forgotten and left to rot…This is why I feel it’s important for sites like this one to document reality as it occurs, that way we never forget how much of a privilege it is to still be alive and well….peace & respect!!
I’ve followed your writing and commentary for years. We have a few mutual friends and many things in common. This is the first time I’ve ever reached out or commented. Thanks for always being so real and honest when it comes to these issues. Salute, my brother.
Great drop DP!! We have to demand more from our men in the community. They just can’t be sperm donors and call it a day. We need them to father their children. We need men to be accountable for their children. We need parents to be accountable. You’re right, the police are never gonna change their tatics when it comes to our neighborhoods. There is so much going against Black youth and I don’t think they know the half. I remember the stress of being a teenager in Queens. I honestly don’t know how I made it out. Reaching out and talking to the kids I know, may not be enough. We all have to do more. Peace.
My prayers are with his family.
Always respect your words and your perspectives DP. This article here is very relevant and on point. We have to demand a better life for our future generation, one that affords them the best opportunity to succeed. I can’t fathom living in these conditions where stop and frisk, marshall law, and constant stereotyping of young men of color threaten their ability to live stress free.
Thanks Brother for this article… Respects. #newmanati
Great writing fuck the pigs what happens since he didn’t have a weapon? Another half ass apology. More talks of we are going try our hardest to work with the community leaders? Same song and dance i have been arrested to many times on my 30 years on this earth. I have always been released because i didn’t do anything wrong. Reading stories like these reminds me that I’m very lucky. Peace to the kids family. Peace to the dp.com fam and I’m out
The report I checked it out it’s bullshit. Its vague plus they don’t give the officers names. Talking about they needed to be treated for trauma and tinnitus.
Important drop, DP. I wish there was some even half-simple answer…
Also, did you see this, BIGNAT?
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2013/03/kimani_gray_4.php
If nothing else, honest forensics could sort of some of these claims (unless it’s a plant, that loaded gun will be the– let’s call it what it is– Bloomberg Gestapo’s-out), not that that’s a guarantee of ‘justice,’ as anyone who remembers Patrick Dorismond or Ousmane Zongo can attest.
that is just sad how quickly the story chnages once more eyes are around. let me guess relocated for those two guys