America has been a very ugly place to be these days. I feel like I can no longer scroll my Facebook newsfeed without encountering a barrage of stories of violence towards black men and women at the hands of white law enforcement. On the morning of Sunday, June 7, video footage was released of police officers in McKinney, Texas aggressively pursing black teenagers at a pool party. Why has this particular incident moved me to write? Because I live 10 minutes outside of McKinney, that's why. I personally know people who live in the area. One of the boys restrained, and the girl thrown to the ground and sat upon by an officer could have very well been my children.
My body quaked in fear and disgust as I watched a group of confused high schoolers chased around by armed officers. At one point, when a few boys tried to come to the rescue of the girl who was thrown down, an officer drew his weapon -- on teenagers in swimsuits. He was prepared to use deadly force on unarmed minors. This isn't new, but it never fails to leave me gobsmacked.
I know how community pools in subdivisions work. These teens didn't randomly decide to drive up from "black neighborhoods" to Craig Ranch and bogard their way in. If they didn't already live in the subdivision, or one close by, they were invited -- and granted access by someone who lives there. Also, residents are allowed to have parties at the community pool and invite guests who do not live on the property.
Classes ended for many students the on Friday. Why are these kids not allowed to kick off their summer in the most logical way possible when the temperatures hit 90 degrees? It could have been one of the non-black neighbors who hosted the party and invited his or her classmates. Or, perish the thought, a black family who lived in the subdivision hosted and invited their friends and family.
To the neighbors who called the cops, what was your intention? Did you want to have all of the black kids removed? What about the ones who live there and had "a right" to be there (since certain types love pointing out where we have "a right" to be)? What about your white children who have befriended black kids despite your deep seated prejudice? Did you want to see their friends chased, berated, restrained, and possibly shot?
This makes me feel like my family isn't safe anywhere. Many upper-middle class black families move to suburbs like McKinney because they want their children to enjoy the benefits of a solid school district and safety from crime. But with the suburbs come the fearful eyes of the neighbors who don't want you there. It makes one wonder if it's really even safer than anywhere else.
Where are we safe? Judging by this video, nowhere.