Fiction
My name is Jason Briggims. Lately I have been stuck in some uncomfortable situations. I come from a history of men and women who are in law enforcement. I know as a young man, maybe people don't want me to be proud of that right now, but I am. Let me just say for the record, there are men and women who are white that are good cops. I have 2 older brothers and 1 sister. My sister wants to be a criminologist like our mom. I am going to be a police officer just like my dad. I have about two more years before I graduate from high school. I will take some classes in criminal justice, them after a few years join the police academy. My family and I are not heathens. We are not that religious either.
What bothers me the most about all the bad things going on in the world is how lots of bad cops are messing it up for cops like my father. My dad is the chief of police near our town. My dad and my uncles are good white cops. When we see our dad out in public we have to act like we don't even know him. It is only for our protection as his family. I totally understand that now. The media plays a huge part in conditioning all of us to hate each other. Black people are afraid of the police whereas, people like me are not. I am not seen as a threat but black boys and men are. I get it. I have two best friends who are black. They know my dad. They've known my entire family since third grade. I know their families as well. We consider each other as family. We are family. Mark, Carl and I are not only best friends, we are brothers.
The majority of the African Americans at my school constantly say things that honestly, irks me. Their comments are very disrespectful to me. When a white cop kills a member of the black community, or anything that makes the nightly news, involving blacks and the police, I constantly hear F**k the police, pink pigs and plenty more disturbing behavior that makes me feel extremely defensive and uncomfortable. I find myself constantly debating with my peers about good cops and bad cops. Yes, I believe that white supremacy has played a major role in the mistreatment and deaths of African American people. You can't really believe all men and women who work as police officers that look like me are bad cops. You have to have hope and believe there are still decent cops out there. Seriously, I doubt if you are going to hear about it often in the news. I just want everyone to know that despite the propaganda slapped in your face regarding police officers and members of the black community, not all cops are the same. Not all black men are the same. If anyone can empathize with that statement, it should be black people. Black people are always guilty before proven innocent. They always have to prove they are equal or worthy to just be, or exist. Mark and Carl allow me into their world all the time. I have witnessed how they are treated in school, at public shopping centers, and as living breathing human beings. But please remember there are police officers who are not going to harm you but protect you, regardless of your national origin or community you live in.
I am in agreement about the systematic oppression America was born with. I witnessed both sides of the coins by having two black male friends and by being influenced by a family of police officers. I have good sense to know how the media and other special interest groups sensationalize police brutality and other forms of racism. I'm only 16. I have a strong desire to help erase all the hate. I want to live in an almost perfect world where skin color is an obsolete issue. We started an organization with five hundred other high school students around the world to pledge our allegiance to changing the world.
How do you handle uncomfortable situations? Have you had any?
What bothers me the most about all the bad things going on in the world is how lots of bad cops are messing it up for cops like my father. My dad is the chief of police near our town. My dad and my uncles are good white cops. When we see our dad out in public we have to act like we don't even know him. It is only for our protection as his family. I totally understand that now. The media plays a huge part in conditioning all of us to hate each other. Black people are afraid of the police whereas, people like me are not. I am not seen as a threat but black boys and men are. I get it. I have two best friends who are black. They know my dad. They've known my entire family since third grade. I know their families as well. We consider each other as family. We are family. Mark, Carl and I are not only best friends, we are brothers.
The majority of the African Americans at my school constantly say things that honestly, irks me. Their comments are very disrespectful to me. When a white cop kills a member of the black community, or anything that makes the nightly news, involving blacks and the police, I constantly hear F**k the police, pink pigs and plenty more disturbing behavior that makes me feel extremely defensive and uncomfortable. I find myself constantly debating with my peers about good cops and bad cops. Yes, I believe that white supremacy has played a major role in the mistreatment and deaths of African American people. You can't really believe all men and women who work as police officers that look like me are bad cops. You have to have hope and believe there are still decent cops out there. Seriously, I doubt if you are going to hear about it often in the news. I just want everyone to know that despite the propaganda slapped in your face regarding police officers and members of the black community, not all cops are the same. Not all black men are the same. If anyone can empathize with that statement, it should be black people. Black people are always guilty before proven innocent. They always have to prove they are equal or worthy to just be, or exist. Mark and Carl allow me into their world all the time. I have witnessed how they are treated in school, at public shopping centers, and as living breathing human beings. But please remember there are police officers who are not going to harm you but protect you, regardless of your national origin or community you live in.
I am in agreement about the systematic oppression America was born with. I witnessed both sides of the coins by having two black male friends and by being influenced by a family of police officers. I have good sense to know how the media and other special interest groups sensationalize police brutality and other forms of racism. I'm only 16. I have a strong desire to help erase all the hate. I want to live in an almost perfect world where skin color is an obsolete issue. We started an organization with five hundred other high school students around the world to pledge our allegiance to changing the world.
How do you handle uncomfortable situations? Have you had any?
