I remember Terrence Johnson
There are many events that have arisen in the course of the 20th century. Many, which is, of course, happened before my life, and many while. The one that comes to my mind at the moment is the disheartening life of Terrence Johnson. I think the one that sticks in the moment to me because it was so close to home. We followed from the beginning to the end. We know and understand many of the situations that we have had as a young black men and continue to have, when they are dealing with officials. And in many ways it has our thoughts and perceptions caused when it comes to dealing with law enforcement.
In 1997, Terrence Johnson was surrounded by policemen robbed by a Nations in Aberdeen, Maryland, a gun to his head and took his own life. I drove on the way home from work when flashed the news over the radio. The moment I heard it, a sense of calmness came over me. Immediately, my mind began to flash back 19 years, when the news first spread in the neighborhood, "this type of Bladensburg Name Terrence Johnson" killed two policemen. As the flashing of a slide projector, my mind began through the different images to jump, which were shown on television by Terrence out by police officers. At that time it has not only occur to me how young he looked. But then again, I was two years younger. But in those first few years I got older and watched as he got older.
to the road further down, my thoughts at the time took me I watched him from interviews on WHMM channel 32 only nine years. That's when the reality finally set in. "He is dead!"
From this moment on, I could not help shedding tears. But my tears were not only tears of sorrow. They were hammered with bouts of anger. "But to whom?" That was the question. I was not sure if I was angry for taking this detour, or angry at the company with him, that the road to be installed.
The only thing I am sure is that this situation at home so close it meets scares me. For me Terrence Johnson symbolizes a life at a time - a time that can I identify with personally. You see, when I looked at Terrence Johnson I saw myself. I not only, but also a lot of people that I know and grew up with. And, I'm really aware that I would or another child that I knew held that night at this police station.
That is why I feel that those of us who had him sincerely really defended. Deep inside, we wanted to see that something positive could flower of something so negative. So when we were finally released him happy - and watched. Although we do not realize that we still observed, we watched. I feel that because every time his name was mentioned, heads turned. They turn still. But what is it that we really see? I even see a life as it began, ended.
I'm out on a scripture that says: ". We reap what we sow" I do not mean Terrence. I mean society. What we see, in my opinion, is the fruit of racism. Apparently that's how it started in the first place. What I see, a while an officer is a situation on his views of a young black boy in the metropolitan area on the basis of handling. Therefore, there are so many of us are asking questions like: "Why did not he go just to someone if he had problems" "Why would he do such a thing" or or "Did he shoot really or was he set up?" It is because we accept the label company, has reject him as planted "cold-blooded killer."
Therefore, in defense of the name Terrence Johnson, I'd like to lead you through a story while you ask a question. Every time this question is asked, I want to write down your answer for you. Here this I would like to embrace a scenario out of the train, "A Time To Kill".
Picture this. You are 15 years of age. It's night. You and your brother are pulled by three police cars and aggressively taken into a police station. They have not been charged, even though you said that your brother the collapse is suspected. In the police station, one finds there differs from the other treated and you are sure it's because you're black. The aggressive treatment is continued, as you will be provided by one of the officials in question.
How do you feel?
Let's say, this officer begins more and more to grow excited, because he does not feel that you answer his questions in a timely manner. In the midst of his excitement, he kicks your chair under you, you have to fall to the ground (by the way, you're in handcuffs). Again, it is moved and opens it again.
How do you feel?
At this point, you are hurt. Call to the officer that he can not do this, and in response, he backhands "you" get smart to mouth. "
How do you feel?
you start to cry, because deep inside you know that there is not too much that you can do about it. In conquered anger, you decide to try the chair pick to throw, but attacked by three other officers and thrown against the wall Then one of the officers is says. "take his handcuffs. I'll kick his black ass! "
How do you feel?
, take the handcuffs from you and slide into an empty space where the menacing officer comes and starts beating on you. You feel blood starting from the head to drop to. How are you feeling?
you try to bite to defend him in the chest, but he's bigger and stronger that you. he then knees in the chest, causing you to fall backwards.
How do you feel?
How you fall backwards, holding her hand grips his weapon and it breaks out of its holster.
How do you feel?
you get up from the ground and realize the gun in his hand. the officer also recognizes and begins with the gun in the direction of load.
How do you feel?
you panic. fear has taken to an enormous extent. you start to run, but are soundly beaten by several other policemen. Even if you are 15 years old you are trying on your way for the murders of two policemen to be as an adult.
How do you feel?
The time has passed, but the terror lingers this threshold night. It is everywhere, especially in the media. You have a little aged. You are now 17. So far you have been transferred to and from the court, a Bail fight of one million dollars, a liar in reference is called on your side of the story, transferred from prison to prison in adult prisons placed and treated as the lowest scum of the earth. Unlike your faith, your name than by the media was "cold-blooded Cop Killer." The schools have refused to participate in all classes. They have been constantly threatened and beaten. Your family and friends were received numerous death threats. And finally, you're the manslaughter guilty and found to jail for 25 years.
How do you feel?
Okay. Many years have passed. You are now 31 years old. remember you can weak, like life before that dark night in the police station, such as: the time with a friend, hanging at the drive-in movie theater and go to Busch Gardens with your friends. But the moments that stuck in your mind to learn the most, as you try within the prison walls to survive, always jumped and robbed by inmates always beat up by prison guards in front of your mother, standing consultative meetings to convince you that you're a "cold-blooded killer cop" and spending days in the hole where you were nothing but a toilet and the skin on the back allows.
However, it has shone some light on you during this time and together with the disaster have hopeful moments come your way. There were people to assist you. You could get your GED, AA degree and bachelor's degree in Business Management with a 3.6 average. You received in carpentry, ceramic and office automation professional skills. They have even been able to marry.
Finally, it happened. After 17 years a total of adversity, and by strong opposition from the same police department as opposed although you placed here, you're fired. You are free to start the life they had long dreamed.
How do you feel?
started your second chance at life works very well! People from anywhere you recognize and express their support for you. Lawyers and businessmen You seem to have placed under their wings. They are to pursue the concept of law school. You have money and a place to stay issued for free for a while. People want to constantly to support you. You get the opportunity to help participate in the Million Man March. You also mentioned in relation to a book and movie deal about your life.
How do you feel?
Okay. Two years have passed since you have released. It is not as bad as a few years ago, but it is not the same as in the first got out. When attempting the law school at Howard University to visit, you have determined that you were not wanted there. So instead, you registered with UDC. You do not have supporters, but you also have those who say, "see him easy! He will prove the criminal that he really is!" You pay rent now, and it has turned into a pressure. Marriage is not quite what you hoped it would be, and finally there is a divorce. They were threatened with eviction. Your father is ill and your mother do, is not good. It is a familiar feeling of despair begins back in lurking. Even if you have not felt in a few years, you know the feeling when it hits you. Oh oh! Wait that! There is a financial dilemma at the school. Because city cuts that you added withdrawn subsidies for classes. You have to take from the school.
How do you feel?
Take a moment to look at your life. Weighs the bad over the good? There are a lot of people out there to watch for many different reasons. What do you have to show for it? What have you really achieved that things at this point? What's there for you? How many people depend on you? And how you want to pay the damn bills !? That is the problem. All you need is to get the money out of this slump and things back up and running back. But that's a lot of money, we are talking about. Do not forget about teaching. Do not forget to pay the rent or otherwise. One must not forget that you have a new baby to care. Papas test results for prostate cancer will be back soon. You need a lot of money - now! "A man is not a man, if he takes care of his own." I have an idea. Let us review the events surrounding the way. Connect with some of the homies and make some quick money - get right back on his feet. But, it was fast, to be something - something that last for a while is going on. At least up to this book or movie deal comes through.
Okay. Her brother and a vote heist, pull. A bank job. They have been imprisoned. You know the stories of how it's supposed to do. It is an "in and out 'thing. Document it. Take the money and" Presto "slip right back out. No one gets hurt. Remember, you do not want nobody to hurt. That's not it. And you damn sure do not want to end up in prison again. Anything but that! you and your brother go out of the area to do it. you and your brother rob the bank. in the attempt, but slip back out, you find that it not quite as simple as you think. the police stop you. Now, this scene here looks very familiar. you know exactly where this scene takes. Face it. you blew it again. you have tried the right way and it has does not work. you have tried the wrong way and it did not work. What do you see? it just will not work! you just can not win! forget it!
How do you feel?
Terrence once said that he was not so long been happy, he did not know what it felt like. He also said that a life in prison, the administration of a certain mentality required - one that he had not really. I'm not saying that I agree with my brother decisions - but I understand!
