I was staying at an inn in this very quaint picturesque rural town on the eastern shore of Maryland. The TV had just announced George Zimmerman-not-guilty-verdict. It was searing my soul so I decided to take my two dogs for a walk. I had seen no other black persons in the area. I knew the area had a reputation as a conservative Republican stronghold. Nevertheless, earlier I was surprised to drive by a prominent sign on a beautiful upscale house less than a mile from my inn. But, the sign was not beautiful. It was a crude large home-made sign flanked by about 6 or 8 small American flags displayed conspicuously on the verdant front lawn. The sign had just three words on it, one word per line. IT said, “OMALLEY, OBAMA, OH SHIT”. (Omalley refers to the Democratic governor of Maryland.)
My dogs were frisky and tugged at their leashes so I had to hold tight as we all explored the narrow streets of the neighborhood which seemed deserted. Suddenly I came upon a house with a huge flagpole with old glory proudly flapping in the breeze. But, that was not the only flag on that flagpole. There was also a huge confederate flag. With George Zimmerman verdict resting on my mind, I became uneasy at the sight of the flag. Thoughts raced through my head. Suppose one of my dogs pooped in front of the house. Suppose that incensed the owner. Suppose the owner became angry enough to shoot me, black me, even though I had no hoodie. There were no witnesses. I would be dead and no one would care. There would not even be an arrest even after 44 days.
I made an abrupt turn tugging my dogs along and headed back to the inn and to safety. If you are black in America, you are Trayvon Martin so be very afraid and you had better err on the side of caution. If you are black in America, don’t be deluded by thoughts of justice, fairness, equality and such platitudes, for you could lose your life.
Author, Boycott Money and Save Your Soul
- Launching The Goodwill Revolution".
http://www.goodwillie.org
- Launching The Goodwill Revolution".
http://www.goodwillie.org
"Bring Our War $$$ Home" - Codepink
https://theblacklist.net/
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