Friday, July 19, 2013

How To Take Action After Zimmerman Verdict

By David Luis


For those of us who are not American, George Zimmerman's acquittal could give an added sense of vulnerability.

While we feel rage and pain, the fact that the decision is not in our justice system may leave us feeling that we have no avenue for action.

Right here, nevertheless, are some things Canadians can do.

1) Educate ourselves about the prison system in Canada.

Canadians frequently feel that injustice against Black people/people of color is limited to the South/Texas/Florida. Canada imprisons some of the highest numbers of people in the Western World and those numbers are growing. Inform yourself and others about Harper's policies in the justice system. Advocate around detainees' rights.

2) Supporter for neighborhood justice-- and I mean real neighborhood justice, not bike cops.

We know the justice system does not serve our needs, so why are we leaving the defense of our communities approximately the authorities? White vigilantism is excused while we accept the lack of justice services for which we pay taxes.

Discover about true transformative justice. Run rites-of-passage programs. Get elders to step in. Enlighten areas about how we can safeguard and support our own families and next-door neighbors. Work to refurbish and not punish.

If we stand against the criminalization of Black youth we have to end our complicity with the systems that criminalize them.

3) Support criminal offense victims.

Many of us feel sympathy for Trayvon's mom however desert the moms in our own neighborhoods or criticize them for how they raised their kids. Listen to criminal offense sufferers. Support their have to be heard. Do not sweep abuse under the rug. Work in our areas to provide recovery. If you are enraged about Trayvon however don't sustain child victims of the Nova Scotia House for Colored Kid, ask yourself why some kids are expendable. If we cannot support victims in our own communities, then the options offered by the justice system will never offer us recovering.

4) Advocate for youth rights in our own communities.

Individuals are rightly surpriseded that a grown man can stalk and get rid of a kid, yet numerous of us keep policies that strip children of their rights and voices and leave kids prone to violence in our homes and neighborhoods. Kids are frequently based on physical violence in their own homes, which is supported since they do not have the rights of grownups to physical stability, company and power. Proponent with and for youth for the rights of children to be treated as equals with self-respect. Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense Attorney

5) Work to empower kids and youth in our own neighborhoods.

We have the power and resources to enlighten, prepare and support our children. Why are we leaving their education to schools and organizations without their important interests at heart? We do not require government money to run activities, courses, tutoring, sports, music, etc. for our youth. Commit to taking some time to work with youth.

6) Enlighten ourselves and our children about racism.

Yes, it is important to inform children they can follow their dreams. However we likewise should provide them info that shields them. This case showed us racial discrimination isn't over, so let's stop being terrified to level to kids, leaving them vulnerable and confused. Instructing about bigotry likewise implies teaching them Black Power concepts. Do not pretend race doesn't exist for them; offer them the knowledge to understand themselves.

7) Remember we are not helpless or reliant.

This is a 400+ year resistance. Stop being contented, and inform, act and work in our neighborhoods for empowerment. Spend our money with Black companies. Develop Black programs. Stop accepting platitudes. Stop thinking the struggle is over. Get out in our communities, in the streets, anywhere, and fight for our right to be human.

8) When they want us dead our finest resistance is to live and live strongly, with purpose.

Keep making it through. Stop being ashamed to be Black in public. Stop attempting to assimilate and live your life, because that's exactly what they hate to see.




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