This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on November 25, 2014.
Disappointment, but not surprised characterizes my reaction to the results of yesterday’s grand jury decision. A decision that failed to bring charges against an armed officer who gunned down an unarmed teen. Should officer Wilson have been charged? “I do not know”.
Something has to happen in this country, and right now. Some say the answer is the installation of Go-Pro cameras on each and every officer while on duty, and I would agree. Perhaps we can deliver some justice to the Brown family by naming camera legislation, The Michael Brown Law or simply Michael’s Law.
It is impossible for most Americans to ever understand the real issues behind this tragic incident. Rudy Giuliani, former New York city mayor, cop and prosecutor may have characterized the situation best by explaining on CNN that 80% of murders are committed by African Americans. While this may be the truth, 100% of blacks do not need to be harassed or bullied by law enforcers, or mocked by Giuliani at such a crucial moment in our nation’s history.
If you were not outraged by the decision of the grand jury to not indite, then I am truly happy for you. Your life has never been disrupted by zealous or judgmental law enforcement. You have never been stopped for simply being the wrong color, in the wrong neighborhood, having a differing viewpoint, or doing something legal that enforcers do not agree with.
Before entering the medical marijuana field (dispensary operations) I was about as white as it can get. Affluent family, above-average income and I even voted straight ticket Republican a few times. Do not get me wrong, Republicans do not represent the problem, but ignoring, or not even being cognizant of the issue of equality represents a larger problem in this country. And lets face it, most Republicans have no clue or regard for equality, despite their evidence that Abraham Lincoln was a Republican.
It was not until my first unlawful arrest for the legal distribution of medical marijuana that I began to understand inequality. Charges were brought against me by a prosecutor who simply did not like what I was doing. No grand jury, just militarized law enforcement with automatic weapons and ski masks. My charges were overturned.
Over the past 5 years I can recall about 20 police encounters where I was harassed, my doors kicked in, friends of mine arrested and daily reminders that some one does not agree with me. Medical marijuana professionals are not targeted because their actions are illegal, they are targeted simply for not sharing the same viewpoints as law enforcement, and cops have the guns. This is the definition of a Police State.
I was fortunate to have spent the previous 30 years in a caucasian, suburban-bubble and never spent a life time accepting that police harassment is ‘just the way it is’. Perhaps my early life saved me from looting and rioting, though I often think setting fires would prove more effective than penning articles like this.
Law enforcement view people like me, and according to Giuliani, African Americans as the problem.
How many doctors or pharmacists drive into work every day looking over their shoulder. After all they kill more children than I have, more than African Americans or Mexican Americans or any other groups combined. For the record I have harmed no children to date.
The only answer is Go-Pro cameras. Cameras used not only to record situations like that in Ferguson but to keep officers honest. To keep them from disparaging others while on duty. The camera will provide full transparency that will force officers to handle situations better, treat people equally and in the event that a peace officer is attacked, their Go-Pro will protect them from prosecution.
I would have never understood Ferguson 5 years ago, and hope that most of you will never have to understand the issue of inequality and police brutality, and unfortunately, that is the problem. Don’t worry though, your time will come.