Opinion and Truth

A statue of the blindfolded lady justice in front of the United States Supreme Court building as the sun rises in the distance symbolizing the dawning of a new era. – Getty Image

In today’s divided society, with cameras everywhere, no one wants to wait for the system to do its job. We all have our opinions about what we are fed on the News Media. Some believe everything and others believe none of it. Protests and riots occur immediately when incidents happen. When we are given only half of the truth, we tend to accept it as the whole truth. This divides us even more. When opinion becomes truth we are all in trouble.

Social media

Everyone judge and jury

Public Opinion

Tantrums thrown stores up in flames

Not everyone gets their way

Today at d’Verse, Grace asked us to write a protest poem. She emphasized that words and poetry are powerful tool that can help bring about change in our world. I struggle with all division and misinformation that comes across social media. The tragic deaths of black men and women, as well as police officers, and children killed in crossfire disturbs me greatly. Somehow we need to learn to listen to each other and co-operate together to make everyone’s life better. I have written my poem in the Tanka format!

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Do Black Lives Really Matter?

This week the news has been full of incidents where shootings have taken the lives of adults and children in the Black community.  It was so sad to watch a mother in Chicago crying for her young child, who was shot killed in their car.  Or the young boy who was organizing and effort for Black Lives Matter, only to be shot and killed by crossfire from persons shooting at each other.  Why do we turn a blind eye when black people kill each other, but march in the streets if a black person dies in police custody.  Seems there is a major disconnect here.

10-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Hit By Stray Bullet In Logan Square

Who raises a voice in protest

for the young girl who was hit in the head

by a stray bullet in her front yard // caught crossfire?

Who stands in protest for the mother

whose car was ambushed and shot up

killing her one year old child

Who carries a sign for the young

boy who hoped to make a difference,

but instead was shot by a stray bullet

Who calls for change when gunshots

ring out in a crowd in *Charlotte

killing two and wounding eleven victims last week

Or again today, as more shots were fired

and more lives lost …

Only to receive passing mention on

the evening news.

Do Black Lives Matter

When they are taken by their own?

Who is willing to take a stand

To say enough is enough?

As mothers cry for their children!

I say enough is enough!

************************************

Six children were killed over the 4th of July weekend!

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/07/06/us/children-killed-holiday-weekend/index.html

No arrests… No one will come forward with information. Very Sad!!

*We have had over 60 homicides here in Charlotte this year!

7/13 three more killed over the weekend. The youngest 16!  No Suspects!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/rickey-smiley-s-teen-daughter-shot-multiple-times-in-alleged-road-rage-incident/ar-BB16pMoq?ocid=msedgdhp

https://www.eonline.com/us/news/1165333/pop-lock-drop-it-rapper-huey-dead-at-32-after-fatal-shooting

CBSN Chicago

7/29  https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/7/22/21334807/chicago-homicides-fatalities-violent-crime-operation-legend-editorial-lori-lightfoot-murder-rates

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/police-investigating-after-woman-found-shot-death-north-charlotte/LZ3636NIUFBJHLVRUSZLCHDL7E/

 

 

Survival Skill

Survival Skill

     The past few weeks have brought the Black Lives Matter issue to a head with the deaths of black men at the hands of white Police Officers. I believe that Black Lives Matter, and I think what happened is inexcusable and should never have taken place. The TV News Media and the Press have had feeding frenzy over all that has happened, which I believe stirred up the racial tension even more.

     It seems everyone focuses on the end result of the incidents, and little attention is given to what led up to them. In many of the cases, when persons were confronted by police, the situation escalated when the victim began arguing, refusing to do what was asked of them. In some cases, the victims actually physically confronted the police officer. As a result, things ended up very badly for all involved.

If they had co-operated, I believe, most of them would be alive today.

Someone once said, “You can be right and still be wrong!” I believe this is one of those times.

Too many lives lost

Respect needed on both sides

Co-operation is a Survival Skill!

Painting: Dwight L. Roth