When the recent video of two Black men in Philadelphia being arrested at a Starbucks was exposed for the entire nation to witness, very few Black people were surprised.
When another Black man and his friend were denied permission to use the LA Fitness gym that they both were paying members of, very few Black people were surprised.
When Micheal Brown, a Black teenager with a very impressive academic record, earned acceptance and full scholarships to 20 schools (including four Ivy League schools) and was criticized by some FOX news affiliate anchors, many Black people were annoyed but very few were surprised.
When 14-year-old Brendan Walker sought directions to school and was accused of being a criminal by a White woman and shot at by her unhinged husband, many Black people were undoubtedly outraged but not all that surprised.
When drugged-up, nearly nude, deranged gunman Travis Reinking opened fire at a Waffle House in Nashville this past weekend and murdered four young people of color, many Black people (like many others) were undoubtedly shocked, but not entirely surprised.
Driving while Black. Walking while Black. Running while Black. Sitting in a public space while Black. Asking for help while Black. Eating while Black. Merely existing while Black.
The cold, hard truth is that to be Black in America is to frequently endure an ongoing state of assaults and insults. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed very public examples of Black people being arrested for nothing. Denied access to a health club where they were paying members. Being attacked and ridiculed for achieving academic excellence. Almost being killed simply for being lost and asking directions.
