we all have implicit biases based on our individual experiences. 
 
these days, after incidents of recorded police brutality in america, social media always, weighs in. statements in every comment section (for the most part), whether pro or con, are filled with explicit bias and fueled by implicit racial biases. 

these videos, which are becoming more frequent as of late, give proof thru the night that our preduice flag is still here and racism, yet wave.  for centuries, an unfortuante shared experience amongst people of color has dealt first hand, with what we already know to be true. Our society treats black & brown, boys & girls differently. discriminates implicity. 

as a black man born and raised in America, in South Carolina nonetheless, home of civil war pride, so the south can rise again; good God fearing Rebels. i KNOW this to be fact. i see it everyday. been through it. multiples times. but does my perspective trump your experience? your history? No. cause everyones experience is valid. everyone has a story to tell and a right to share it. but as we each hold these truths, it is evident that our system has a serious flaw in its dream of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for ALL. 

so what we gonna do America? you say she deserved to be slammed, i say he should be fired AND arrested. i say he couldnt breathe obviously, you say he shouldnt have fought back and let go of the Loosey’s. you say he shouldnt have run towards the officer, i say he needed help and you had to reload for those 11. you say she should have put her cigarette out, cause thats an order, so i ask are newports against the law and she shouldnt have died over a traffic ticket. i say this is excessive, you say they are just doing their jobs and these “thugs” need to learn some manners. 

i say you sound like a 1945 lynch mob after Emmit Till, you say historically by now, they should know better, or better yet their place. i say, you trying to teach us a lesson. you say, there they go again always complaining, yall should get over it. you say slavery was 400 years ago, i say redlining was by design and was only 50 ago. you say, im colorblind and diversity makes the world go round. i say there is no such thing as the latter, so take of those rose colored glasses. 

you dont have to live in my world, but i definitely have to know your game to stay alive; as an elder would say, white folks get multiple chances to succeed, black folk only get one chance to fail.  in my America one mistake could be fatal AND justified every which til sunday, whereas in a similar situation, those with the complexion for the protection, most get a chance to learn from a mistake without fear or life changing consquences. 

we all out here, making mistakes, trying to be human in America. but when our system was built upon explicit basis against ALL people of color at some point or another, we stay losing; life, family health, happiness. as with most situations in life, if doesnt effect you and yours, most dont care. 

 Im most afraid people of color and white folks may never see eye to eye. so what we gonna do America, cause history is repeating itself, as i speak and the future today looks bleak. 
    

picture by Marcus Kiser: Being Human from the #IntergalacticSoul Exhibit