IF THEY DON'T CARE, THEN WHY SHOULD WE ?

This speech was given by Cornell Lewis the day a Grand Jury decided Police Officer Darren Wilson was not guilty in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Cornell spoke at the Center Church 675 Gold and Main Streets in Hartford to over 100 people. They stood and applauded when he finished.

Ladies and gentlemen, brothers...sisters, friends...comrades. I thank you for the opportunity to speak here today. The recent shooting of an unarmed black male Michael Brown left large segments of the American population bewildered and numb. Now the Police Officer that killed him has been found not guilty by a Grand Jury of nine whites and three blacks. If they  [ people in power] don't care -about loss of black life or justice- then why should we ?

If they [ power brokers ] don't care about the value of black life, why should we care about the oppressor as human beings ? If they don't care, and ignore the cries for justice [ from blacks, white and Hispanics]. Then why should we care about their protestations concerning property destruction or respecting authority ? If they don't care about trampling on the United States Constitution, expectorating on our First Amendment rights etc. Then why should we care if gun fire crackles in the night in Ferguson from people seeking liberation ?

If they don't care ...
When we march for freedom
If we cry over the bodies dead because of racism
That our prayers go up to God
That people-- black, brown, white, Hispanic, gay / straight are united in overcoming American racism.

Then why should we Care ?

Why not invoke the words of Malcolm X and demand freedom " by any means necessary" in order to gain respect.

Is it not time to "stop praying and singing and start swinging" at the oppressor ?

In conclusion the words of the Anarchist Alexander Berkman from his prison memoirs comes to mind --"all means are justified in the war of humanity against it's enemies."

Thank you.