"Keep Your Head On a Swivel Young Man"

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We live in the absolute best country in the world -- The United States of America. It's all about freedom; freedom to speak, freedom to assemble, we even have freedom to bear arms. This country is amazing!! Right...? But truthfully, is it really all that great?  Are all of us free to do as we please? Or is it a select group of individuals?

The most recent scare gripping the country is the EBOLA OUTBREAK IN AMERICA!! Or actually, should I say the few incidents of ebola in America. Instead of the freak-out let's understand the facts and instead act accordingly. Instead, the real epidemic against black males continues to be on the rise. Does this matter? Do black lives matter? Late last night less than 20 miles from Ferguson, Missouri another 18-year-old young man, Vonderrit Myers, was shot and killed by an off-duty St. Louis police officer. The details are still forthcoming and to this point unclear, but what is clear is that a young man was shot 17 times by an off-duty police officer. Police say he had a gun and fired it three times. The family of the teen say he had a sandwich. There are conflicting reports to this point. One thing for sure is Myers, another young black male, is dead and the police officer is on leave and questions swirl. But why did this scenario have to happen again I ask? Was this situation warranted? Was this result deserving? 17 shots? I personally think not. If Myers shot at the cop then the cop had the right to defend himself, but there is something written about cruel and unusual punishment. I never heard of it taking 17 shots to kill or subdue a person.

But like I said we live in the greatest country on earth! At least that's what society wants you to think. Most of the people in this country with privilege say this, but do not actually know what it feels like to walk around most cities with your head on a swivel. You're not only on alert from other people who could do harm, but you're also on alert for cops who could not only hurt, but kill you. The peoples' jobs who it is to "serve and protect" have recently done a great job making headlines by making target practice on black males. I saw a tweet today that listed ways to get murdered by police, inlcuding  jaywalking, selling loose cigarettes, buying toys in a Wal-Mart or carrying a sandwich, in reference to recent black male killings. When will it subside? When will black lives be valued as much as the next? I am a young man of color growing up in the world seeing this. I read the stories in the news and I experience the stories when I am pulled over for no reason and searched and mocked and yelled at and degraded. I will have to grow up teaching my son and young men in my life to make sure you keep your head on a swivel because you have to not only protect yourself from others, but you have to protect yourself from the police. Go U-S of A.

**UPDATE**    10/14/14
Gunshot residue found on man killed in St. Louis police shooting, according to LA Times, 
The 18-year-old man who was shot and killed by an off-duty St. Louis police officer last week had gunpowder residue on his hands and clothes, according to forensic information released Tuesday.