Op Ed
So What’s The Solution? You Are!
“It’s hip hop’s fault.” “The cops are just doing their jobs.” “He had a gun. “What else is new?” “Protest for what?” “We need to start killing cops!”
Most African Americans, minorities and decent people of all races have been pushed to the furthest depths of their sanity as a result of the latest series of police shootings resulting in the death of black males. It is not just the latest series of events however. It is a lifetime of systemic oppression that makes up the fabric of our American lives. It is generational racism perpetuated by those who are taught to engage way before they are taught to comprehend. It appears now that burning the fabric of our society may have more restorative properties than trying to remove the remnants of racist fibers that make up the flag we wave so proudly.
First things first, all you Internet commentators need to shut the hell up. I understand the anger but let’s all be realistic. Not one of you are going to shoot up a precinct or protest or join a revolution. Not one of you are actually going to get up and do something about it. You know why? It is not because you don’t care. It is simply because you are a creature of habit and will do what you have always done. Talk shit on the Internet.
As for everyone else, if you believe education is the key then educate. If you believe economic empowerment is the key the build, support and financially educate yourself and those in your community. If you believe revolution is the key then motherfucker revolt! If you don’t know what to do then either do nothing or do research. If you believe finger pointing and dealing with ancillary factors other than racism is the key then you are part of the problem. Lack of a definitive solution may be a clear indicator that we don’t have the cure for racism but inaction is certainly a sure fire way to sustain it.
Those who care about the community enough to take action are already engaged in change. This was not a call to arms for them. This was yet another loss in a continued uphill battle to bring about equality to African American communities but a battle nonetheless.
The fact that there is still an “us” and “them” in a country that we have all lived in for centuries and rightfully belongs to no one is beyond my understanding. How can you reside in the same house with someone who is consistently causing you mental and physical harm and retain peace of mind? The simple truth is you can’t.
I personally use all my platforms (social media or otherwise) for the greater good of my community as I see it. I do own small businesses. I do mentor those from my community and give back in any way I can. I do offer up my resources to those who ask. I don’t want any pats on the back or accolades because I don’t do it enough and I have a long way to go. All I really want however is an army of my peers engaged in the same.
The time for talk has long come and gone but if I have to continue to talk ad nauseum until a time we are in a better position then guess what, I will continue to do that also.
I wish I knew what to say to make this all go away. I wish I knew what to do to get people to get over themselves. The truth is I don’t. There is no magic bullet and there is no easy fix. There is only commitment and currently, the American judicial system is more committed to killing us than leaving us alone and is consistently taking action to prove it. What actions are you taking?
Rest in Peace to Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, I’ve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to “normal”, I asked Eric “Why’d you take the pics?” And he said, “I knew you would want to write about it if you lived.” Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6’4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her “Yo, is that dude bothering you?” She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like “Why are the other consultants making more money than you?” I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that “You need to hire Alfred!”, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, “What if you didn’t have health insurance when this happened?” I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor “Well I’m not going anywhere.” She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says “Well I’m not going anywhere either!” That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a “Enrique Pollazo!” And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. “Be Good.”
