It was hot. Sweat built
on my brow and poured out of me like an overflowing glass of water to drip down
my entirety—as Breial said, “Dude you sweatin’ bricks.” Yes, in fact I may have
been able to build a house at the rate that I was going, burning along the way
as well. But those are simply the minor details of weather and the unfortunate
happenings that come with wearing inappropriate clothes. The event itself was
rather lively in its own way, very physical and artistic. The physicality of
the event I feel also helped to reinforce the impact of Stop-N-Frisk because
that law itself is very much about the body. To say what that is, go on a
journey with me. Imagine that you’re at the corner store getting a cold drink
with your peeps and then while walking home the cops roll up on you and tell
you to stop. They then get all up in your face and space, potentially saying
things about you that aren't true, just in general violating you and not
telling you why and moving on—they might even take you to jail. This is not the
bee’s knees and should not be happening, because at the end of the day this is
just profiling off of stereotypes and a legal way to enforce quotas and harassment of specific segments of the population. On top of that we also
explored the closing of schools in New Orleans and other cities and how those
instances also are attacks on very specific areas and populations.
During the event itself
I was covering the “Community May I” game and two art activities. During the
game I could feel my awkwardness creep out of me while reading through the
activity, but I stumbled through and finished out somehow still alive—even
though I did mess up a few times. The art stations were easier for me to handle
because they were more up close and personal with the youth there
participating. It made me glad to see people coming over and putting painted
hand prints on the white board and red and blue hands on the black board
expressing themselves positively and enjoying the actions. Closely tied in with
this was one of the more memorable moments of the day for me. A little girl who
came over to the boards wanted to do the Stop-N-Frisk board, but when I asked
her if she had ever been angry or confused she giggled and said no to both
feelings. I found this to be a wonderful moment and it made me contemplate how
lovely it would be for her to not have to feel those emotions at least in the
ways that are negative and tear people, families, communities apart like
Stop-N-Frisk does. Her innocence gives me inspiration and hope for the future
to improve the world so people like her have something more to look forward to.
Isaiah
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