Former President Barack Obama said Friday that what happened to George Floyd is not normal. I know that black men all over the United States are exhausted.
It’s not normal for anybody to stay silent right now. Being quiet is unacceptable. It’s not normal that law enforcement has been empowered to feel like it’s OK to keep a knee on someone’s neck with their hands in their pocket.
It’s not normal for there to be a blue code of silence. It’s not normal to see unarmed black men being put in a chokehold on national TV. It’s not normal that black people have been criminalized, victimized and stereotyped as angry and divisive people for hundreds of years. It’s not normal to never get the benefit of the doubt.
It’s not normal that even when we’re the victim, they always try to blame us. It’s not normal that we have to grow up faster than others — that while others are learning to ride their bikes, we’re learning how to act in the presence of police. It’s not normal that there’s a new hashtag every week.
It’s not regular, and I’m frustrated too.
There are all types of activists in the world. We all have roles to play in fighting against injustice. We all have different agendas and tactics for how we address issues. Some folks don’t have a solution per se, and that’s OK. Their specialty is making sure that causes aren’t forgotten, and I think that’s great for the city because it puts pressure on institutions to address issues we care about.
However, we have to protest better and follow leaders. Ain’t no structure in the gangs, and that’s why there’s all this shooting. Ain’t no structure to the protests, and that’s why there’s all this looting.
There are fundamentals of community organizing.
Rule No. 1: There’s a difference between mobilizing and organizing. Did you bring extra water, an extra battery for your phone if you’re gonna be filming a lot? If you’re arrested downtown they’ll take you to the police station. Have you memorized the phone number?
I agree with protest. I just don’t agree with reckless looting. This looting is not intelligent; this is opportunistic.
You say it’s protest? OK, if you’re someone who broke into the Nike store, you’d better make sure you wear those new Nikes when you attend the next city council meeting. If you broke into the Gucci store and got a purse, make sure you create an agenda and list out some demands. Put that agenda in your new purse and bring it to the next school board meeting.
If you want to be a real community organizer, ask yourself these 15 words: What’s something simple that I can do that’ll have a positive impact on my block?
Can you pass out masks to everyone on your block? Can you volunteer to help make PPE packets for seniors? What’s something simple you can do that’ll make a difference? If you start with the simple things, you will develop the muscle it takes to make a difference.
Looters have taken hammers and batons to our communities, breaking windows of small businesses and spraying graffiti, using this crisis as an opportunity to tear down black communities.
Right now at My Block, My Hood, My City we’re starting a small business relief fund. Funds raised will go directly toward the repair of small businesses. Sign up to volunteer for updates on how to support this work at www.formyblock.org.
A wise person once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” We’ve got to do something different if we want to put an end to these killings. How about marching proactively, instead of waiting until there’s a social media campaign about death? Let’s support a local nonprofit that supports youth while people are alive.
We’re always saying we should give people their roses. Let’s give them their roses while they’re still alive. Let’s work with the police chiefs to make sure they put officers in communities where they support their members and build bridges of connection.
Finally, a message to the cops: Having a Chicago Police Department badge gives you a platform that will elevate your true character. If you’re a bad person, having that badge will amplify your wickedness. If you’re a good person, having that badge amplifies your platform to do good.
Jahmal Cole is CEO and founder of My Block, My Hood, My City.
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