What White Males See When They Look At Black Males

My college Professor asked a great question for our class discussion. He asked what is the current law enforcement/justice topic that interest you?

My answer: Police officers continuously killing unarmed Black/African American males.

Why? Because I am a Black male and these situations makes me feel uncomfortable when I see the police, particularly White officers. When they drive behind me or next to me, I get nervous!

Since, the last two killings of unarmed Black/African American males, I was pulled over twice by two different White police officers and I was praying that everything went well and they did.

The two times, I was in my security officer uniform and I believed that helped me out a bit more.

I was pulled over the first time because one of my tail lights went out and the second time. I did not make a complete stop at a stop sign.

The more of these killings of unarmed Black/African American males take place. The more doubt I have with our law enforcement and our criminal justice system.

I am about to receive my masters degree, hopefully at the end of this semester and I doubt I can make a difference….

Even with a masters degree!!

One Of My Greatest Memories

I was ten years old. I wanted a Nintendo real bad!! All of my friends had one. My mom was not able to buy me one at the time.

To raise money, I sold some of my toys to children that lived on my block and at school. 

I would also go to the grocery store by my house and ask the customers that was leaving if I could carry their bags to their vehicle for a donation. 

That is original how I put my Nintendo on layaway. At Thrifty’s which later became Rite Aid. 

I would go to Thrifty's everyday after school to look at the Nintendo and think how I could not wait to get it so I could play it.

I already had games for it, I traded things for them or I bought them from my classmates. 

The money was not coming quick enough!!

So, I asked my big sister to help me to get a job with the company she was selling candy with. You had to be twelve years old.

Again, I was only ten, so I lied and said I was twelve. 

I would sell candy after school and we would go door to door with the company in upscale neighborhoods. Neighborhoods the company believed had money.

I became one of the top sells people but I received more donations than selling the candy.

One of my classmates kept asking me when are you going to get your Nintendo? 

Because that is all I talked about. 

He was like, “you are never getting that Nintendo!!” 

This same classmate end up seeing my mom one day when she was heading to work and he asked her when is Damon going to get his Nintendo? Because that is all he talks about at school.

I came home one day and my mom was already there.

She left work early to surprise me. She said, “son, you don’t have to go sell candy anymore.” 

I asked her why? She said go look on your bed. 

I went in my room and saw the Nintendo on my bed. 

My mom sacrificed paying the electric bill to get my Nintendo out of layaway. 

That is one of the happiest days of my life and I shed tears and get emotional until this day every time I share this story.