he said “no”
Richard Collins III, a young black man recently commissioned into the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and just about to graduate from university, was killed over the weekend by a white student who has been involved in neo-Nazi Facebook groups.
When the cowardice of white systematic oppression embodied came towards Richard saying, “step left, step left if you know what’s best for you” – he said “no.” He maintained his composure. He kept discipline.
When the bus driver demanded to Rosa Parks, “are you going to stand up?” She looked him in the eye and and said “no.”
He did not cower in the face of one who would demand that his body was not his own, that his body was lesser than another. He was trained to lead others against combatting terrorism – but his battlefield was one where a person of color is perpetually regarded as suspect. His oath was protect those who would add him to the tally of the war against black bodies, even his killer Sean Urbanski. He paid the ultimate price for our freedom, for my freedom, defending the rights of us all. The US Army’s motto is “This We’ll Defend” and this he defended. May his leadership be an example to us all.
I pray for you Richard. I pray for your family. And on this Memorial Day, I will remember your sacrifice for my freedom and your willingness to stand up against those who would seek to deface the image of God.
(Source: baltimoresun.com)