Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Police, Black People and Fear


There has been a windfall of conversation, civil disobedience and unlawful protest in response to the police and their responses to behavior or actions that's perceived as aggressively non-compliant. 
When a police officer gives a command the first response for many: Why? The ‘why’ is present even if the citizen is ‘in the wrong’. The ‘why’ is not only an inquisitorial response; it is the beginning of defiant behavior.

How many of us have been caught doing something that we should not have been doing, and with emphatic tenacity became impudent? How many of us have been ‘in the right’ – and became indignant because the accusation of wrongdoing was unjustified…had no basis or validity?

No matter the reasoning associated with the reaction, a police officer more than likely will respond with aggression – and in most situations the protect & serve hostility is the initial stages of defense…the belligerence from the policeman is a defense mechanism which is primarily issued verbally to incite fear and to protect his/her life – not disrespect. That instance of innocent fear baiting and premeditated control induction will eventually be owned by the citizen who may or may not be In the Wrong.

Simply put, the presence of The Police produces uneasiness and fear…especially for black people. And, NO, it is not because blacks are always Guilty of Something (as if black skin is innately connected to law breaking activity).

Unfortunately, the situation…the atmospheric energy in those fragile moments are add-ons to the bellicosity…the air has been polluted with citizenry indignation and authority figure haughtiness. The one in suspicion is rightfully irritated and the cop is rightly overzealous.

Again, the police officer’s intention is to shock the accused…to produce temporary paralysis in an effort to control the situation. He is seeking complete compliance - and he most likely does not care if you are in the right or wrong. He needs to control the confrontation. Questions of clarity are secondary which should be clear indication that the cop is simply trying to protect his life while experiencing the same fear that he has help conjure within the accused.


Isn’t it interesting that this training manual scare tactic does not produce the desired result? 


When I was a preteen my friends and I would take off running at the sight of The Boys in Blue. We literally would run…RUN as if we were frightened…RUN as if the shoplifting of Snicker and Milky Way bars at Mobile Mart and Three R's had finally caught up with us...RUN as if the cops were again strolling through the projects with handcuffs in hand seeking to arrest the black juveniles. 

On the surface we were not afraid. Going to jail was an multiple choice for us like spending our young adult lives working at a furniture factory was an option. College was never an option for me personal, I just so happen to be good at running and jumping...like most "niggers".  

Subconsciously, we were terrified of the police but as I sit here in contemplation I have no idea why we were afraid. It was as if we -with youthful charisma- created the terror...the scary drama. 

Regardless, the questions were abound...Why are the cops here? What did we do? Who called the cops? Did Shirley, the owner of Three R's, see us stealing the chocolate bars? 


At the time..in those childlike moments we did not consciously identify the terror as a generational trait…as a characteristic of The Black Experience that has been cultivated by our past and present.


Men and women of African ancestry have been running from the slave hunter…the police for years. Not exclusively to when we were in trouble or when we did something unlawful. The black man has been on the run from capture every since he became property that needed containment. When he escaped he had to be on the lookout understanding that the hunter was always lurking…when he became free he had to be on the lookout understanding that freedom for him was/is temporary. Arrest has forever been a reality or near real circumstance for black people for the longest time. And, if we choose to believe that the fear of the Arresting Officer (the hunter) has been removed from our generational DNA we are among the foolishly misinformed!


Lastly, what is the origin of this complexity that has most recently resulted in the death of two unarmed overweight dark skin black men?

Racism?

The obvious has been irresponsibly projected…stated over and over again: the white cop is a racist…he does not regard black life like it matters.

Subconsequently, in the moment…in that moment of distress I find it extremely difficult for any human being let alone a police officer to conjure the following

prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. -Racism defined

It is mostly fear, people! The same fear that has plagued African slaves and Hunters for decades.

Muata Nowe

Sunday, November 23, 2014


If the Prosecution has decided that there was Probable Cause, why was the case given to a grand jury? I will tell you why.

But first let's define:

Probable Cause

"Apparent facts discovered through logical inquiry that would lead a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that an accused person has committed a crime, thereby warranting his or her prosecution, or that a Cause of Action has accrued, justifying a civil lawsuit."

Please focus on the word Cause...then think about the Action that was taken to terminate Michael Brown. Remember, the Action had a Cause. So, if there was a reasoning (Cause) for the Action taken, why didn't the Police, Detectives, Investigators, and Prosecution determine/conclude that there was a Probable Cause. I will tell you why.

When a controversial case is given to a grand jury it typically means that the Prosecution has 'politically' decided not to get involved. It is the Prosecution's way of passing the buck. It is the Prosecution's way also of securing a ruling that will be in favor of the Prosecution's friends, The Police.

When there is probable cause there is a possibility that the Prosecution will lose their case. That's the way it should be...a Possibility should be granted…given a Chance on both sides of the law.
But here is the Reality: when it is all said and done, it is about appearances, politics and winning & losing.

The justice system of the United States of America becomes flawed when the very essence of the system is not utilized, a Jury.

A jury should be deciding the fate of the man that gave birth to the Probable Cause.

Anything else -like this sham for a decision rendering body- The Grand Jury, is an unjustifiable tool that rarely favors the victim of the Action taken...especially a young black man who has lived-up to the depiction of an overweight bully.

Muata Nowe


*While we wait on the Grand Jury's decision NOT to indict the Shooter let us be at peace and later in peaceful protest. Looting, stealing, fighting, disrespecting the police is NOT the solution when in fact nothing has been done enough internally to heal the ills of the reasons Michael Brown had prior incidents with the law...Blacks have not done enough*

Friday, June 06, 2014

The Compliment


I received the BEST compliment this morning. 

A woman who I see almost every morning asked an individual who knows me, 

"Is he homeless? 

The man I know informed me what she asked after she left the building. He said he told her,

"No. He is not homeless. Why you ask?"

The woman responded,

"Well, he is always around. I see him walking a lot or riding a bike. He also has a kid with him sometimes...pushing the younger one in a jogging stroller. I saw him walking with a boy too. I guess the boy is his son...the boy was riding a scooter. He always has on torn up jeans or ruined cargo shorts. And, he is always at the grocery store either reading or on the computer in the Starbucks section. You know, homeless people hangout in coffee shops. He stays well-groomed - but there are a lot homeless men who keep up their facial hair."

The man said he laughed and walked away.

Why is this my BEST compliment?

Because I want to live/have a simple life free of all the crap that identified me by some as "wealthy and highly educated". Yeah...I would prefer simplicity over wealth. I would like to be known as intelligent but humble with my intelligence. Besides, internet is free at Starbucks...it is comfortable...I get free sample cups of coffee...clothes are overrated (would rather be naked or only wear my favorite items)...walking/riding a bike is healthier...spending time with children is beneficial in so many ways...reading expands the mind and has the ability to temporarily 'free' man/woman from their predicaments.

I Shall Be Free One Day...

Looking for a book.


Muata Nowe 

Wednesday, May 07, 2014




Who We Are...

We MUST begin to view ourselves as NOT an innocently special people...NOT as an unique or chosen people of a higher moral disposition. We must stop viewing ourselves as victims that behave badly because The White Power Structure poisoned us...I don't know not one white person that contributed to any of my poor decisions. We are the same people that behave as evil describes. Many of us (blacks) see ourselves as innocent learners of evil that was presented to us by The White Man. It is sickening, embarrassing and ancestral demeaning how many times I have heard, "The white man taught us this...he is the reason we act so bad. He is the reason we don't have a pot to piss in. He taught us how to kill each other. He gave us crack and malt liquor." This thinking is shallow and it KEEPS us from addressing who and what we are. We are Human Beings. Where is the accountability for what we have become? Face it: We are humans that have the same EVIL and satan-laced motivations as every man/woman on this earth.


Muata Nowe 

Friday, February 21, 2014

Dear Malcolm






Dear Malcolm,

I write this letter to remind you of my allegiance to you...I share this moment with you to praise you for setting the example; for being a man when not many others would...I write this letter to pay homage to the legacy you left behind for us to revere - and sadly for some to distort. I share this moment with you to convey my respect, and to articulate my present thoughts/concerns.

In so many ways we need you, Malcolm. On the surface we appear to be doing quite well. Not sure if you have heard/been informed, the United States of America elected a black man to be president. Like you, I never thought this would be a reality. Not sure if you have heard/been informed, black men and women are CEO's of several major companies within the USA. Like you, I never thought this would be a reality.

We are doing quite well for ourselves bearing in mind we are considered by Jamie Fox to be "the most talented people in the world". Like you, I have always known that we were talented. Like you would have more than likely been- IRRITATED -when you hear/heard Mr. Fox's declaration over and over again while watching an African American ‘oriented’ television network. Yes, Malcolm we have a television station dedicated to our TV-watching pleasures and desires. There is even a news broadcast that focuses on our issues. Jamie Fox, the comedian, singer and actor made his pronouncement after receiving an award. An award that was given to him by the organization that you more than likely still consider to be a preposterous representation of the opposite of your thought process, Black Nationalism.

If I may, what are your thoughts on the comment, "black people are the most talented people in the world"? Like you, I have always believed, there is significance behind a man's words. Jamie's words have resounded with me over the past few weeks. Each and every time I hear the words, I conclude that Mr. Fox is referring to our talents that please the superficial senses of men/women. He is speaking of the African American's music, acting and athletic faculties. Not our intellectual dexterity/accolades. Like you are probably, I am offended by his words. What about our accomplishments in the areas of math and science. Why do we have to be the talented entertainers...the porch monkeys?

Perhaps, Jamie Fox was in the moment. Not really thinking about what we should be celebrating during Black History Month.

I am not certain - but I know one thing - you are wondering when we will heed to your words...when will we finally utilize our bents to build a nation within a nation like our Asian, Latino and African brothers and sisters?

Brother Malcolm, you are missed - and on this day of acknowledgement of your brutal assassination I come to you in remembrance...remembering what you believed:

The Black Man/Woman will never be respected until we prove to the world that we are more than entertainers...until we reclaim our remarkable heritage...until we stop killing each other like those black men killed you on this dreadful day, February 21, 1965.

Remembering you in word and photo,

Muata Nowe