When a Black person is killed by police, America races to depict both them and any community response to that murder as violent. The victims are vilified, the protests deemed riots; the police, armed with their guns, lament that they were afraid of even wholly unarmed Black people, how they believed they saw a gun that rarely materializes; and each time, America says to the police, yes, we understand
Poignant. As always, you are able to capture what many of us truly feel and put it into a well written essay. This part perfectly sums up everything we’ve been saying for YEARS: “The victims are vilified, the protests deemed riots. Each time, America says to the police, yes, we understand your fear, we understand how scared you must’ve been. Then America comfortably declines to lend us their empathy…” Thanks for sharing your brain, words, and work with us!
This is excellent as always, thank you for being such a valuable voice against police brutality and in support of abolition. My ex-husband was a public defender in Philly for several years, so I know the weight you carry on a day to day basis is heavy.
Reminds me of your comments on The Hill questioning if Black people even have gun rights if even having a toy one can disproportionately get you shot. I was nervous as hell when I got pulled over with a legally owned gun as a white guy - can only imagine it without that privilege. Not sure I'd even bother, to your point. Thanks for sharing.
This is the fierce and honest writing we desperately need in this country. And it’s writing that so crucially understands that white people gonna white, so all who stand against that whiteness need to think hard about Olayemi’s questions and calls to defend black life. Black is beautiful and once we recognize and embrace that fact, we will truly make a step forward.
Jul 27, 2022·edited Jul 27, 2022Liked by Olayemi Olurin
thank you for this brilliant piece. "violence cannot be condemned by its faithful disciples" so aptly describes the contradiction central to the doctrine of discovery/ manifest destiny/ white boy magic charade that keeps killing.
Great and extraordinary work you are doing. In every nation and generation there is always a voice crying for social justice right from the mountain 🔝. I believe you are one exceptional woman with a voice and a force to be reckoned with. Keep up the good work.
This article raises very important points about perceived violence of Black people vs. actual violence thorough policing. I couldn't help but remember the Will Smith Oscar Slap incident where mostly white Americans proclaimed at every opportunity they could how traumatized they were at witnessing this, yet we see violence in movies, media, and real life every single day, especially against Black people, by the police. The hypocrisy as Ms. Olurin perfectly names it, must be called out by every stake holder, especially white people, in order for a constructive path forward. Great pose and style, she writes like a legal scholar where every word is intentional and straight to the point.
Poignant. As always, you are able to capture what many of us truly feel and put it into a well written essay. This part perfectly sums up everything we’ve been saying for YEARS: “The victims are vilified, the protests deemed riots. Each time, America says to the police, yes, we understand your fear, we understand how scared you must’ve been. Then America comfortably declines to lend us their empathy…” Thanks for sharing your brain, words, and work with us!
The close tho!!!
This is excellent as always, thank you for being such a valuable voice against police brutality and in support of abolition. My ex-husband was a public defender in Philly for several years, so I know the weight you carry on a day to day basis is heavy.
Reminds me of your comments on The Hill questioning if Black people even have gun rights if even having a toy one can disproportionately get you shot. I was nervous as hell when I got pulled over with a legally owned gun as a white guy - can only imagine it without that privilege. Not sure I'd even bother, to your point. Thanks for sharing.
This is the fierce and honest writing we desperately need in this country. And it’s writing that so crucially understands that white people gonna white, so all who stand against that whiteness need to think hard about Olayemi’s questions and calls to defend black life. Black is beautiful and once we recognize and embrace that fact, we will truly make a step forward.
thank you for this brilliant piece. "violence cannot be condemned by its faithful disciples" so aptly describes the contradiction central to the doctrine of discovery/ manifest destiny/ white boy magic charade that keeps killing.
Great and extraordinary work you are doing. In every nation and generation there is always a voice crying for social justice right from the mountain 🔝. I believe you are one exceptional woman with a voice and a force to be reckoned with. Keep up the good work.
This article raises very important points about perceived violence of Black people vs. actual violence thorough policing. I couldn't help but remember the Will Smith Oscar Slap incident where mostly white Americans proclaimed at every opportunity they could how traumatized they were at witnessing this, yet we see violence in movies, media, and real life every single day, especially against Black people, by the police. The hypocrisy as Ms. Olurin perfectly names it, must be called out by every stake holder, especially white people, in order for a constructive path forward. Great pose and style, she writes like a legal scholar where every word is intentional and straight to the point.
“there is no right way to address a problem they don’t want solved”
This line hit me hard. Very well said.