As Martha struggles through intrusive images, she has the ability to connect to nurture futures of freedom.

The familiar chirp and hum of the body cam is something she has come accustomed to, but definitely not the unnecessary rage, hate and brutality that has suddenly come into view. Tyre Nichols was just lynched by police.  Tyre was more than a statistic; he was a father, a son, a skater, and a beautiful Black man.

It was a pack attack.  We have direct evidence in the body counts and settlements that police culture is Klan culture that continues to be upheld. Until we address white supremacy culture in a real way, our efforts will continue to fail.

We know for Black men that the justice system has never been understanding or lenient. Mangled images keep flashing; reminiscent of all the Black men we’ve lost with no mercy. There is resentment to have to teach our still maturing children how to best get through life without getting killed.

We need to share in the burden. 

As you listen to the words being sung, “Lift me up, keep me down, keep me close, safe and sound. Keep me in the warmth of your love when you depart, keep me safe, safe and sound,” know that this is for all the ones we’ve lost,  and that it is us, the Black community, that needs love and to be kept safe and sound.

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” –Martin Luther King Jr.