Saturday morning I woke up and decided that I had to be part of this event. It was a rare opportunity to vocalize the frustration so many men of color have faced in dealing with the police, especially in recent times. I am naturally a pacifist and am not really comfortable being in a confrontational position. I have always believed that violence is for those who don't have the ability to communicate verbally.
Where did this sudden motivation come from? I believe it was a transitional event for me. I don't think I'll ever have the same, prior to the event, views that I had regarding race and things like that.
I live in Brooklyn, New York. My area is very close to Staten Island but our illustrious train system could not simply travel from my home to the stage site for the march. I had to travel to downtown Manhattan, then jump on the Staten Island Ferry. I have to say that ordinarily this much travel would have been enough for me to change my mind and stay home. Remain in my comfort confines.
I had an epiphany. I realized that I could not sit this one out and continue to experience the horrible level of racism where New York is now. Many of you recall the Barney's incident with their racial profiling. It's really inconceivable to experience this inhuman treatment and the perpetrators not be affected by the incredible and indelible harm that it creates.
Well, before I even arrived at the location in lower Manhattan to board the ferry, I made eye contact with several other young men of color, who were obviously traveling to the same event. We were all on the local train heading toward the ferry pick up spot. We felt the need to acknowledge one another. This was something that never really happens in my regular day to day world and probably theirs either.
Upon arriving at the ferry terminal in Manhattan I saw a huge crowd of folks disembarking, many families, organizations, workers and police. We were all making our way to the outside to find the meet up location to begin our march. Again, this was my first time at a march so I really had no idea what I should do and since I didn't know anyone or what to say. I just looked straight ahead and followed the crowd. I later realized that it was the first civil rights rally for many of us.
It was very cloudy outside and there was little sun, if any. I thought it might rain so I did have the wherewithal to grab my trusty tiny umbrella before leaving from my house. I didn't want to get wet and then kind of be stuck in midst of a sea of people. As it turned out, the rain clouds kinda held off and we made our way from the outside of the ferry terminal to the staging area. Not an easy feat as the crowd was increasing by the minute.
I stopped to ask a few individuals why it was so important to them to be at the event. I, of course, knew the answer as I felt the same sense of necessary purpose. I could not let this event slip by and just be silent. The wrong doers are expecting our silence. There were others who clearly felt the same from near and far.
I encountered a gentleman sitting on a bench along the march route. He seemed a bit disheveled and unkempt. I believe he may have been Italian. Not sure and I didn't ask. I asked his name and he didn't want to share it and I didn't push it. I will say he seemed to a good communicator, even though he appeared a bit intoxicated. He said that he lived near the march's location and wanted to come out. He probably wanted to add.. "and drink" to the sentence but it's not for me to judge.
There were many different individuals from so many different colors and backgrounds and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I had imagined that it would be an event where only blacks would be gathering. I have to say I think the non-blacks were more vocal than us blacks, and that was a great occurrence. It was nice to see that no one could be happy when your brothers are in pain.
The signs that I read were quite moving all by themselves. They ranged from kind words to outright angry words geared towards the police. Along with the signs, the chants started. Like this.. "What do we want?" and the response.. "Peace" from the crowd and "When do we want it?" and the response, "Now". There were so many other chants.. all inspiring and all screamed out to the top of everyone's lungs.
We marched and marched and marched, it may have not been too far but it seemed very far as the crowd was so large. Don't trust the newspapers who report on a couple of thousand participants. I was there and witnessed what seemed to me to be about 10,000. It was just a people sea, if you will. The blocks of the march seemed narrow and winding.
Finally, we reached the destination of the marchers where there was a staged area that was set up for speakers. I was about a block away from the staged area but they had one of those jumble-tron units, so I could see and hear clearly. I perched myself up against the fence and froze in place as I listened to one eloquent speaker after the next. Then, Reverend Al Sharpton took the stage and soared with his message of hope and peace to the gathering. There were several poignant moments by the family members of the victim who all spoke at the podium. They all said how grateful they were that so many of us showed our support to her husband and that "..today, we all know his name".
Listening to the speakers and witnessing the historical event with my own eyes was remarkable in itself. I will forever carry this march in my mind as I go about pushing forward in the world.
All pictures are credited to HaiRadio.com. Photographer & Storyteller: Kerry Hines
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