I was
sitting in my office this afternoon when an e-mail from Tonyette landed in my
inbox and it was not good news.
She sent me
a letter written by Black students of the University of Virginia, addressed to
the University regarding Third-Year African American student, Martese Johnson.
Martese, an Honor Student and member of Kappa Alpha Psi, was beaten by officers after being refused entry into Trinity Irish Pub with a Fake ID.
Martese had to receive 10 stitches due to the head injury he endured and even
as students pleaded with police to stop their attack on Johnson, the police
threatened to arrest the students if they did not step aside. (See the article on the Cavalier Daily here.)
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| Photo Credit |
Once again,
we see that the punishment exceeds the crime. What justifies getting beaten to
a bloody pulp for a fake ID? Out of
all the students at the University of Virginia and nationwide that have a fake
ID, officers decided to attack Martese. Let me pose a blunt question to you: If
Martese were not a black male, would officers have attacked him like this? Out
of all the underage, frat boy alcohol consumption that occurs, not just at the
University of Virginia, but across the nation, police target Martese.
Let me detour very quickly and talk about police from the female perspective. As I was discussing with Tonyette, women are
also subject to harassment. I am an African American female, but I am wary of
police for a different reason. On too many occasions have I seen police paying
too much attention to me and burning holes in the side of my face, when they
should be paying attention to their surroundings. My sister and I were in
Chicago this past weekend. Security called after us, attempting to flirt. The
way they were looking at us was enough to make me want to jump in the shower
and cleanse myself. Excuse me sir,
but instead of checking us out you need to be checking out the surroundings to
ensure the safety of the public instead of molesting my sister and me with your
eyes. Have some dignity and pride. You are in a position of authority, stop abusing it.
Our black
men are getting beaten and killed and women have to endure catcalling and
harassment. Yes, I acknowledge that humanity gives way to the unfortunate, ugly
and imperfect side of human nature. But enough is enough. Police need to be
held accountable for their actions. We shouldn’t have to be wary of law
enforcement. And students shouldn’t have to plead to the University to stand up
for one of our own. I spent four invaluable years at UVA and I’m wearing the
Cavalier proudly on my chest as I type this and because of this I say, to UVA
and the Charlottesville community we’ve got
to do better!
This is not
what our ancestors fought for. Our black brothers and sisters did not endure
tear gas, brutal beatings and lynchings to see their descendents suffer. Our
black brothers and sisters should not have to go to one of the top universities
in the country and be treated as second-class citizens. I say again, enough is enough. When are we going to stand up as a nation and stop speaking
on racial injustice, brutality and discrimination using “safe” political terms
and beating around the bush and call it out for what it is? This is wrong and yes, this is racial. Plain and simple.
It’s time we
take heed to the lyrics of UVA’s good ole song, “Let’s all hold hands and give
a yell…” Let us yell it until we can’t yell it any more! Enough is enough! Injustice is injustice. Black lives matter.
#JusticeforMartese
- Alana
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