My Black Disabled Life Matters Too

I’m a 24 year old Black, African American disabled woman. I’m from the well-known city of Greenville, South Carolina. I am a daughter, grand-daughter, sister, aunt, friend, cousin, girlfriend, and co-worker of a collective group of worried, concerned, confused, and angry, Black individuals.

The thought of knowing the day I give birth, my children are already hated by a group of people makes my skin crawl. As a parent, the easy learning of their ABC’s and colors have now become teaching them what to do if they were to ever to be pulled over by a cop or be approached by one.

I need something explained to me: are cops trained to shoot to kill or as sick individuals that’s what they choose to do? I think a shot to the leg or arm would be enough. Pointing a gun to someone’s head and chest should NEVER be okay. Please don’t get me started on how four or five cops are attacking one person. Is that really necessary? The person 100% complies with what they’re asked to do, but yet “back-up” is called. Their hands are already cuffed, what’s the need for the other drastic measures? Why did a knee need to be placed on George Floyd’s neck? #SayHisName. Why did Eric Garner have to be put in a chokehold? #SayHisName. Why couldn’t Ahmaud Arbery enjoy a peaceful run in his neighborhood without being chased down and killed? #SayHisName.

Let’s not fail to mention how many times a gun is unnecessarily shot and the lack of fucks (excuse my language) cops give when taking lives. Because Michael Brown damn sure didn’t deserve 5 plus bullets into his body. #SayHisName. Breonna Taylor didn’t deserve her house to be raided and to be shot in her sleep #SayHerName. Philando Castile’s daughter didn’t deserve to witness her father being shot and killed in front of her #SayHisName.

#SayTheirNames #SayTheirNames #SayTheirNames #SayTheirNames

As a parent who has the job so many kids look up to, including their own, how do they even explain what happened? What are the lies they tell or parts of the story they choose to leave out? I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

As I’ve mentioned before, I have a disability, and cops don’t have the best history handling individuals with disabilities either. Back in July 2016, caregiver Charles Kinsey took a bullet that was intended for an autistic man, Arnaldo Soto. The cop assumed the toy truck he was playing with was a gun. In an attempt to get Arnaldo to do what the cop was asking, Kinsey laid in the street with arms above his head. When the officer fired, luckily the bullet only hit Kinsey’s thigh, but it was meant for Arnoldo. Kinsey ultimately saved Arnaldo’s life.

Rickey Hayes, a Black 19 year old with both intellectual and developmental disabilities was shot by an OFF DUTY cop, Khalil Muhammad that claimed Hayes had a weapon. During the night of the incident, Hayes snuck out of the home of his caretaker. Nearby surveillance showed he was in his neighborhood singing and skipping to himself when Muhammad found him. A frightened Hayes ran away, eventually stopping with his hands to his side. Muhammad opens fire, striking him in the chest and arm.

Luckily for both scenarios, no life was taken. However, just like all other cops in these situations, they were let off easy with no real consequence. Not only are cops shooting to kill, but they’re also not trained well enough to handle situations that involve individuals with disabilities. The thought of that scares the shit out of me because due to my own disability, I’m not even able to lift my arms above my head without assistance. That in itself may be a death wish for me.

These cops have me questioning the way they were raised. Did their parents not teach them from right and wrong? I am willing to bet any amount of money they weren’t born racist or grew up hating Black people. It’s just not how things work. One of two things happened: it was a learned behavior from the people they CHOSE to surround themselves around or it was an experience that changed their whole mindset.

Before George Floyd, we had already lost many other Black people due to police brutality, but this was the last straw. Our voices weren’t being heard enough, so we took a page from our own history books (that aren’t taught in schools) and from our ancestors: protesting. I’ll agree some of the looting and burning of the building are a little much, but those are material things. The lives that are being taken can’t be rebuilt, bought with money, and replaced #SayTheirNames. These protests have become a national trend. Countries all over protesting and #SayingTheirNames. Unfortunately, many protesters have gotten seriously hurt, missing, and even killed. But the unfair consequences weren’t done in vain. Many states are implementing bans on chokeholds if they haven’t already. As a result of Breonna Taylor’s death #SayHerName, Louisville, Kentucky has passed a law banning No-Knock Warrants. Trust me, I know, we’d rather all the officers locked up for life, but it’s something.

Precincts all over the world right now, should be taking note of what’s going on. Many believe that funds should cease or slow down for police departments. I disagree. Let’s make the funding more strict. Read and/or re-write the training guidelines for each state. Do regular screenings on the officers and get rid of those crooked cops. Someone’s going to argue that’s doing too much, but something has to give.

I’m a 24 year old Black, African American disabled woman. I am a daughter, grand-daughter, sister, aunt, friend, cousin, girlfriend, and co-worker. All lives do matter, but right now…no matter the shade, gender, age, and sexuality, and disability: BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!!

#stillRising