i own a lot of shoes.
i live on the best coast.
i stumble through life.
We are…
I am sad for so many things, but mostly my city.
On January 1, 2009, 22 year old unarmed Oscar Grant was restrained on a train station platform face-down and was shot in the back by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. Twenty-two, and he had a daughter.
Mehserle’s verdict was announced today - involuntary manslaughter.
But he pulled a gun and shot a man in the back. This man who can’t seem to get his story straight was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
A man is dead, and his daughter is now fatherless. A mother had to bury her son. 2 - 4 years in prison for the man who did it, a police officer who was supposed to protect us. Because we are Oscar Grant.
And everyone is expecting my city to riot. A little part of me says no justice, no peace. This is not okay. Business will not be as usual.
But this is my city. And I will not see it destroyed. Everyone is expecting us to riot, because Oakland is supposed to be a city of crime and poverty, but wouldn’t it be nice to prove them wrong? Prove that there is no need to be afraid of police, of young black men, of citizens of Oakland. Prove what a great city this is, that we are not the stereotypes.
Be safe. Be strong. Make me proud, Oakland.
