Jogging While Black…
I am an avid runner and writing this today is very challenging because I had to go out today with my mind on high alert from someone who may be looking to take me out like how they did Ahmaud Arbery, the young man in Georgia who’s life was taken from him after being gunned down by a white, father and son Duo, who’s names I shall not mention on my site. It’s just unfortunate that being a black man in America has so many challenges yet we are the most desirable for all thing profitable. Even beyond that, because playing the blame game and pointing fingers is almost TOO easy. But I will say one thing, I refuse to be afraid of going outside because of some corona virus precaution in addition to not being able to go outside because I’m thinking that it could be me. Not only that but it could be my son… I just can’t really put it all together to make it make some kind of sense but I’m praying a great deal about the state of the country and how the racial tension climate isn’t even seeming like it’s getting better in any capacity. Especially now, more than ever.
I think about my son who likes to ride his bike outside. Or walking the mall with his friends…it has a great mental and emotional impact when you know that anything can happen at any given moment. The fact that Ahmaud went out for what I would imagine to be a routine jog in his neighborhood becaus me recreational joggers usual don’t run in unfamiliar territory unless with a group, but he got dressed. Probably even had it planned to go for a run, not l owing that it would be the last run he would take. I think That it could be me. That everyone I lace up my shoes and start my run, that maybe it could be my last. And that’s what scares me the most. Although it’s supposed to motivate you, you know the old adage of “Play every game like it’s my last” like the NBA legend, Allen Iverson would make famous as one of his go to quotes on how hard he played every single game, like he was going to die the next day or right after the game is over. As eerie as that may sound, it was the catalyst to what made him a great player. But this has nothing to do with the game but more so the fear of “maybe this is the last time I’m gonna see my family or talk to my son and to have an incident invoke so much caution in my life goes to the measure in which terrorism is a real thing. But why does it have to be like this? Why do we have to live in fear as black men? Why are we the target practice for inferior white men? Why are we still living in this energy? It just seems like it’s every week there another hashtag and white frankly, I’m just over it. I just want to live in peace and take care of my family.
Where does one have to live to accomplish that and not fear being shot down in the street like a dog? It makes me have a level of rage that I’ve never really experience before. It just feels like we are the targets and it’s like there’s this never ending cycle of hate that has been this way for centuries it seems. And it’s not like we can just “Go back to Africa” because we’ve been stripped of who we are and where we really come from so, America is what we know. Oppression is what we know, separation is what we know, generational poverty mindsets is what we know, it’s just sad and I feel sorry for Ahmaud’s family and the fact that the word has just gotten out out about this and he was killed three months ago and his killers are still just walking around while another one of our young Kings gets his life cut short.
I’m just so hurt today and I’m trying to just release this frustration the best way that I can. I even ran 8 miles today with him in mind. The fact that I am able to even run freely in my neighborhood is not to be taken for granted and many of our leaders have paved the way and risked their lives so that I can even have that luxury in the first place. The same luxury that Mr. Arbery had. Once again, my condolences to his family and friends. Until next time. Much Love ❤️ -Jermy
