PROVOKE: (TO ANGER, ENRAGE, OR EXASPERATE)
EVOKE: (TO CALL UP OR PRODUCE)
WHAT THE EYE SEES IS AN IMAGE THAT IS PLEASING OR NOT. IF THAT IMAGE ISN’T PLEASING, ONE MUST ASK, WHAT IS THE DOUBT, OR WHAT IS THE FEAR?
WHAT IS THE POWER OF PURPOSE? YOUR PURPOSE!
PROVOKE is an emotional tool that many police officers worldwide utilize to incite black males and black females. If an officer’s intent to provoke a black subject becomes the order of business during that tour of duty, it’s easy to find and create a situation that is never in the best interest of the victim. When a white officer begins to talk about resisting, he constructs a script to justify his unlawful actions. These verbal and provoking methods by white officers follow a direct path. This path that white officers have taken to beat and now shoot would-be black subjects is wrong and criminal. They render calculating demands from a stop trying to grab my gun, to stop resisting, are all meant to evoke a response that gives the officer probable cause to continue his tirade of verbal and physical abuse.
It’s too easy for a white officer to write his script, create the character, and produce the questionable outcome because no one will say otherwise. Any black man caught in this web of hate rarely has a chance to rise triumphant from this encounter. As a black man, you are a pawn on a chessboard of predetermined ‘kings’ and ‘queens’ who happen to wear a uniform and a badge and are determined to hurt and kill seriously. When killing is the only alternative to subduing someone, either the training is less than stellar, or the officer has no reason to comply with the law enforcement tenets that govern the improper use of force. So now the question becomes WHY? Why do white officers, by-in-large, feel that they have the ‘right’ to thoroughly disregard the life and integrity of people who look different than they do? Why do white officers feel comfortable exercising hatred and bias and act out these emotions with NO remorse whatsoever? Why? Because those who supervise support the actions of these officers beginning with the preliminary paperwork and further up the line of command because they are morally complicit by condoning the abuse based on their hatred.
The first order of response during an attack is to defend. From the time I was a kid, I was taught to protect myself. When hit, I hit back. When attacked, most men will retaliate by counter-attacking. However, when these attacks become the arms, feet, batons, and guns of the police, that order of defense is NOT the recommendation given to that black subject. Guilty while being ‘black’ is the first thing most white officers see. If that white officer is racist or bias in any way, trouble is not far behind. White officers intend to create an atmosphere of fear and response by innocent civilians. The ploy is preferably used to destroy blacks’ human psyche and thereby force them to make that ultimate mistake that has lately resulted in too many deaths, deaths that I call murders, and perhaps even assassinations. How can this behavior exist in the 21st Century? How can this America condone and enforce racism that undermines the idea of truth and justice for all Americans?
The ease of malcontent handed down by police officers is as easy as putting on that badge and gun. These particular officers appoint themselves as judge, jury, and executioner. They create and carry-out these heinous acts of violence but then lie when caught or brought to task. If they lie about their actions, then the deed is known to be wrong and condemning. It seems that justice on the street will never end until prosecution in the courts takes its rightful place by excepting these poor excuses for police officers where an oath to serve and protect are mere words with no substance.
Whether a black citizen complies, concedes, or even begs for his life, the stage is set by this unruly, self-indulged, and an unlawful white officer who is so involved with his hate that he can no longer control himself. When the lack of control becomes the subject of concern, these white officers should not be allowed to wear that badge of authority. Controlling emotions, controlling biases, and personal feelings must be the criteria for all officers. Hating someone for any reason is never an excuse to mistreat and kill unless that hatred runs ruff-shod throughout the department when the brass sets the standard. The example begins at the top and trickles down to the street cop. There are also many stories of white cops being forced by the brass to make these unwarranted street stops, harass, and even provoke physical altercations. These requests are issued to entice white cops, provide excellent evaluations that lead to promotions.
When the discussion of fair policing exists, the only way to close the gap is to hire more black officers working in all capacities and protecting black communities. The majority of black officers followed up with black supervision, especially black sergeants and black field lieutenants, give all in those communities a chance to stay alive. But this can only work when the pressure from the top becomes equalized with that of the ensured safety of black churches to protect and serve those citizens by removing those stressors that tend to aggravate all situations. White and black in any given environment will be a challenging undertaking. The competitive edge, to the perceived racial inequality, lends itself to failure most of the time.
It’s no secret that racism runs deep. From all government points, as laws are lobbied, legislated, written, and enforced, they are also managed and manipulated by our white counterparts. The depth of racism across this country is a huge problem and just as hard to change. The voices of handed-down racism as though it was a proud inheritance runs rampant, where the hatred, control, and entitlement continues to flourish. When anyone provokes, they automatically incite, and that fact continues to reinvent the idea of slavery, but not by shackles and lynchings. The tool of slavery has become ours to bear because, as a people, we are our own worse enemies. What is it when a race of people continue to ‘kill’ one another? What is it when a race of people don’t support each other? What is it when a race of people wish you harm before safety? My answer is a severe case of continued brainwashing, a constructive, well-planned maneuver that began centuries ago.
So, if the reality of provoking by the police is more than evident, try not to put yourself in harm’s way. Don’t become the article of doubt and a suspect to wrongdoing. Manage your friends, or they will continue to manage you. Walk alone if it means trouble to walk within a group. Become your own man, and become that ultimate survivor. Learn to think for yourself, and if you can’t do that, surround yourself with people who can assist you. If that is difficult, or even impossible, join a church and become an active member. Lastly, become one within yourself. Know yourself better than anyone else. Assess your behavior, and if what you see is ugly, change your appearance. Become your critic! Become that person who is the answer and not the problem. Think to render yourself free! Act by avoiding procrastination to act accordingly, and remember, honesty starts with you being forthright.
TO ANGER, ENRAGE, OR EXASPERATE can’t happen unless you allow it to happen. Please don’t continue to walk down your path of slavery when you can avoid it. Don’t let your pride set your course. If satisfaction is your concern, take measures where your ego is not threatened.
This Article was Last Updated On: January 29, 2021