What I can say about the the prevalence of the two hashtags I chose were they both exemplified people who looked like me. The Ferguson case has had its time in the spot light one might say, but that doesn't even come close to the reality of situation. The John Crawford case is a fresher wound, but still not getting the media coverage it deserves. Besides them both being men of color, the reason I chose these two stories is because it's a pattern in our society these days. Men and women of color (not just African American) are being persecuted by our police force. If we are militarizing our country I guess we people of color are first.
I went searching for hash tags on both subjects and a semi constant I found on "Twitter" was #CriticalRaceEssay. Which stems from different people writing essays on the growing epidemic of our boys and men being slain on the streets. It started a movement on social media. One Twitter user states ""Can You Serve Communities You Don't Understand?: A Critical Reflection on Ed Reform". The hash tag is a constant because Social media is now on fire trying to hear voices on these very issues, and has brought people across different ethnic stand points. Another hash tag that has come up multiple times has been #DontShoot. For the Ferguson case it is has been a staple by the people who have been on the front line. But for the Crawford case it hasn't which is kind of strange because in the situation which I will get into in a second, John Crawford was just minding his own business when he attacked by police. Now you would think social media would be going insane over this, but not to many people have. The hash tag #DontShoot has even garnered its own day, called #HandsUp #DontShoot Fridays. In my humble opinion I think people always use Fridays because it is easier to get people together on weekends. They are happier and nicer, and more amped up for a cause.
The John Crawford case is similar only in the person in question is another one of our people being taken from their families. John Crawford the 3rd was in a Walmart holding a bebe gun and a worker said he called police saying he was pointing a gun at people. The police stormed in and Crawford allegedly charged after them and shot him 6 times. The frantic actions of the police also made a woman who was a shopper at the time have a heart attack and fall over and past away. This story is picking up steam because the woman in question was white. Now I can't say this is the only reason, this is pure opinion based. The people of Ohio have banded together to put an end to the madness. The hash-tag #ProtectUsToo is getting steam by the Ohio Student Assoc, which also happens to be some of John's classmates. This hash-tag is a favorable use for both cases because it symbolizes that police force should be here to protect us as a people as well, and we should not be judged by our pigment. The Crawford case was only recent;y brought to my attn when I went hash-tag hunting. i ran accross a piece on Buzzfeed (link at the bottom). It opened my eyes to another life lost due to carelessness.
Things in my community, and I'm not talking Westchester, aren't looking to hot with these recent killings. Maybe if the tables were to turn, or more people got behind or confronted these issues head on we may even see some progress. I just hope it happens before the next one of my fellow males or females of color have to shed another drop of blood...
Hash-Tags: #DontShoot, #ProtectUsToo, #HandsUp, #CriticalRaceEssay,
Buzzfeed article: John Crawford
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