Addressing recent protests, a well-educated Black man said, “I woke up wanting to see the world burn down.”
In the face of devastating losses in the Black community, Michael Render, AKA rapper Killer Mike of Run the Jewels, expressed a desire to see racist institutions dismantled and a hope for a more inclusive future through constructive, non-violent means.
But Mike knows that change requires a shared understanding. Underlying current problems are layers of pain. To come together, we must work with others and help them understand our experience.
The stories of violence between police and Black folk ring true for many in our community. My own fear of cops began 28 years ago.
I sat in my blue Taurus a couple of stories below my apartment. While the radio played a Pittsburgh Pirates playoff baseball game, a county police vehicle happened by — and suddenly everything changed.
Staring directly into a police flashlight, I dared not blink. If I raised my hands to shield my eyes, would I be seen as a threat? I limited my shaking. I didn’t want to move at all.
Another officer approached with a hand on his gun holster. I searched his face for a sign of anger or fear. I held my breath. I didn’t want my inhaling chest mistaken as a menace.
I’m a big baseball fan. When the power had gone out in my apartment, I had gone to my car to listen to the game.
The cop patrolling the neighborhood saw a Black man sitting alone in a car. He found that alarming.
Soon I was scared for my life. I trembled through the experience: three police cars, a blinding flashlight, and a gun at the ready. I didn’t know the state of the officers’ minds.
When the cops saw my ID, they apologized. One recognized me from my weekly news show. Suddenly the nightmare ended, but for how long?
Shortly thereafter, the police commissioner invited me to a community policing initiative. I went through basic training with cadets, experiencing situations similar to my own, but from a cop’s perspective.
Being an officer is tough. Police can’t know a suspect’s state of mind.
Yet confrontations like mine are too common and too often target innocent Black people.
About recent killings, several by police, Michelle Obama wrote, “I’m exhausted by a heartbreak that never seems to stop. Right now, it’s George, Breonna, and Ahmaud. Before that it was Eric, Sandra, and Michaele. It just goes on and on and on.”
I’m saddened by those tragedies. These slain individuals are powerful symbols. Yet even more poignant for me is the impact across my community.
A few months ago, I happened on a fist fight. Two bare-knuckled men were beating on each other.
I should have called the cops. They are trained to serve. With their professional help, a front-yard fight might not lead to serious injury or escalating violence.
But I didn’t call.
Some officers are bigots and I didn’t want to find out the hard way who they were.
I kept walking.
And I felt angry that my community doesn’t benefit from the safety it should.
Killer Mike says we have to do better than this moment. It’s our responsibility to organize, to mobilize, and to make things better right now. I agree.
Mike is a graduate of Morehouse College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The HBCU community represents a powerful movement and we can deliver meaningful change by working together and sharing our experience.
And this is where Heritage Sports (HSRN) comes in. We’re the voice of HBCU sports.
For over 15 years, HSRN has broadcast the most HBCU matchups. And we feature discussion critical to the future of the community, including on topics like safety and development.
And representing Heritage Sports, I invite everyone in the HBCU community to come together. Now more than ever.
Is the HBCU community helping you deliver the change we need? Hit reply and share your thoughts.
And please listen to HSRN.com. Enjoy great sports while you awaken your power and engage more deeply with the HBCU family. You can catch our broadcast 24-7.
Lamont Germany
General Manager