Edmund Adjapong states, “I am a Black, male, graduate student who attends an Ivy League university, who identifies with the Hip-Hop generation.” However the verdict in the Michael Dunn case tells him that society continues to view him as a problem.
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When I heard the verdict of the Michael Dunn trial my heart felt heavy, because once again, another Black male was viewed as a problem. Michael Dunn was found guilty on four of five charges, which included three attempted murder charges, but was not convicted on the first-degree murder charge that was directly connected to the unfair death of Jordan Davis. Although Michael Dunn will more than likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, the jury failing to convict Michael Dunn of the murder of Jordan Davis is a threat all men of color. It sends the message that it’s acceptable to murder a young Black man. You have the right to kill without question as long as you feel threatened.
Michael Dunn’s perspective represents that of mainstream America’s. Dunn claimed that he felt threatened by a group of Black boys who were innocently listening to Hip-Hop music, or “thug music” as Dunn described. Many Americans would have claimed to feel threatened if placed in the same exact situation for a number of reasons. They often feed into the negative media portrayal of Black youth, they haven’t have much experience interacting with Black youth, but most importantly, they have not adequately educated themselves on the differences of others and therefore do not understand those differences. Because Michael Dunn was not found guilty of the first-degree murder, it is evident America believes it is acceptable to feel threatened around Black people, in this case Black people who follow Hip-Hop culture, and I am not okay with that. When I drive, I listen to the same type of music (Hip-Hop music) that Jordan Davis and his friends were listening to, and sometimes at obnoxious volumes, but does that mean that I am dangerous or a threat? I am a Black, male, graduate student who attends an Ivy League university, who identifies with the Hip-Hop generation.
It is problematic that America continues to view young men of color as threatening individuals and criminals. As an Africana Studies minor, I studied W.E.B DuBois’ collection of essays, The Souls of Black Folk. He posed the question: How does it feel to be a problem? Although Dubois posed this question over one hundred years ago, it continues to remain relevant today. How does it feel to be perceived as a violent individual because of the color of your skin? In police interviews, Michael Dunn stated that he saw a gun or a stick pointed at him from the red Dodge Durango. This caused him to reach for his loaded gun and shoot the car 10 times. If Jordan Davis and his friends weren’t viewed as “problems,” Davis will still be alive today.
Every man of color, including myself, has experienced what it feels like to be a “problem” at some point in his life. I attended a college in northern New York in a predominantly White city that lacked racial diversity. Every time I visited to the mall I noticed that I would receive strange stares from many eyes. Some of those seemed to be looks of fear and others, looks of confusion. I realized that people looked at me differently because of the color of my skin and immediately referenced their perception of Black males. Eventually, I got tired of the looks that I received and began walking around the mall with a huge smile on my face to appear less threatening. I had to consciously change my demeanor to justify that I was not violent and to show others that I am a harmless individual who deserves to be viewed as such.
I am Jordan Davis, and so is every man of color who lives in the United States. America’s history has repeatedly and continues to show us that the lives of people of color, especially young men of color, have little to no value. The fact that Michael Dunn was not convicted of the murder of Jordan Davis reinforces this idea. As a Black male, it tells me that society continues to view me as a problem, and that racism continues to exist in America. The only reasonable solution to address the issue is for Americans to be educated on the differences of others, especially black males, to have a more enlightened perspective of others.
OK…I apologize. Not so much for what I said–a little for what I didn’t say elegantly–but for skipping ahead, maybe even tangentially, to a philosophical point. Upon reading this article, I had already read 2 or 3 regarding this case on the subject of racism. To me, it was another statement of the same thing, along the same lines of how (particularly) white people have an instilled fear and mistrust of young black men, especially in groups. Sometimes I forget that people don’t know me; they might assume I’m coming from a position of total disagreement with the premise of… Read more »
Paul, There are so many things wrong with the tone of your comment I am not even sure where to start. 1. Why do you assume that all Black males walking around in saggy pants are “defiant”? I see plenty of White surf boarders who dress similarly. Are they equally as threatening or defiant in your world view? How does a fashion choice automatically make someone threatening? 2. Most people of a certain age don’t like loud, obnoxious music, but I can pretty much guarantee that if the 4 Black males had been playing Bon Jovi or Garth Brooks at… Read more »
You have pretty much everything wrong here; you should actually read what I wrote, instead of making false assumptions about what you assume to be true from whatever tone you inferred from my response. When you step aside from logic and fair criticism to stand on a soapbox, you not only lessen yourself, you lessen your cause in the eyes of those who might otherwise listen to your side. You see, I am ON your side, you just can’t see past your own frustration to realize it. Let me see if I can simplify it: I think Michael Dunn is… Read more »
Paul, I see that you clearly do not understand what several of us have pointed out to you and I should not expect you to. And, for the record, I didn’t make any assumptions about you based on what you wrote. Perhaps, what you wrote was not exactly what you wanted to communicate. When you make a statement like, “I don’t see Neil Degrasse Tyson wearing his pants down below his ass and sauntering defiantly across the street, daring someone to say something.” What you are really communicating is that the Black men you see walking around in saggy pants… Read more »
The fact that the very first response to this article was blaming the four young men in the car for playing the music too loud is a sad commentary. I am not black, do not listen to rap or hip hop, seldom wear a hoodie and don’t eat skittles. When I was a kid, I played my music loud, on purpose, sometimes specifically to annoy people. In fact, I still would, if I owned a car. But I’m white, so that’s okay? I don’t recall anyone ever confronting me about it, especially with a gun. Those boys weren’t doing anything… Read more »
Of course blasting music in the car is very obnoxious. And it is so regardless of the type of music. And it is more annoying as we get older. However, it is far from a reason to shoot someone. I used to blast music when I was younger. It was rock & roll mainly and I probably played it too loud. I also would turn it down if I was parked around other people and cars. But, the issue here is not respect. Clearly we need more respect in our culture from all ages to all ages. We need to… Read more »
Nice point! I like the agism perspective.
This post reminds me of so many occasions where the color of my skin determines who I am. Common scenario for me besides going into stores are with the older caucasian women. No matter how I walk or try to dress presentable, I seem to never be able to walk passed an older women without her holding onto her purse for dear life and all of the sudden feel the need to speed walk past. Of course I don’t stare at them I look straight ahead trying to assure them that I am not in need of their money nor… Read more »
Great article! I believe this is an issue that would continue on for decades to come simply because of the fact that it’s done in front of our eyes. Cases like Jordan Davis’ & Trayvon Martin’s were all publicly known & still showed how the racial card is being used today. Also, I don’t understand Paul’s statement on how listening to rap/hip-hop music justifies that someone is a threat. People of color are naturally perceived as a threat most of the time. I could say that because I’ve attended predominately white schools, where either the kids would sag, play loud… Read more »
“Paul’s statement on how listening to rap/hip-hop music justifies that someone is a threat”
That’s what you got from what I wrote? Please, read again: it has nothing to do with the style of music, only the volume.
Great article. The sadness I feel is about he lack of willingness of people who aren’t of color wanting to discuss race. This is a very uncomfortabe topic for many and it should not be. One must ask themself WHY it is not comfortable before discussions can begin.
I agree, people are usually uncomfortable talking about things that little to no experience with. Conversations about race force people to challenge themselves and, unfortunately, some people aren’t up for that challenge.
Do you think it’s possible that you are missing a point here? I agree that young black men are viewed with suspicion and fear more than any other group in society, and that’s unfortunate and wrong; I hope it can be addressed and corrected. But do you think the whole thing is attributable to skin color, or even to cultural difference? I don’t see Oprah Winfrey cruising around blaring bass. I don’t see Neil Degrasse Tyson wearing his pants down below his ass and sauntering defiantly across the street, daring someone to say something. You even say you made a… Read more »
Here’s the difference – if a white kid acted EXACTLY the same as any of the thousands of Black boys murdered in cold blood, would they be considered suspicious? The answer is that most likely they would not. Sometimes, yes. But my brothers and guy friends POUNDED bass when we were young. Snoop, NWA, Warren G, Beastie Boys, anything they could find with any sort of rap/hip-hop vibe and a deep bass. Why weren’t they ever threatened or even judged harshly? Many of these young Black men ARE being respectful. Some may be acting like teens and playing loud music… Read more »
I agree that black kids–black people in general–face a greater scrutiny and consequences for their actions, and that’s unfair. Of course, you make it sound like every time a black kid turns his car stereo up, he’s being shot at, while a white kid can do it and people are perfectly happy to listen to it. I think there are more than a few people like me who want to say “STFU, and pull your pants up while you’re at it!” to these kids, black or white, and many of those people are black. They consider it disrespectful, and they… Read more »
If you were to tell anyone to “STFU” you will be the aggressor in that situation and also may be viewed as threatening, are you ready for that? What stats or data have you analyzed that allows you to conclude that most people who ‘sag’ their pants are Black? People of all races ‘sag.’ While I don’t condone ‘saggin,’ it is a way for youth to symbolize their rejection of the values of mainstream society.
I think the fact that you think someone wearing their pants a certain way is somehow disrespectful says a LOT. Who cares how they wear their pants? How does it affect you in ANY way? My grandfather used to get mad at my dad for having long hair in 1970, told him it was disrespectful. Told him it would get him into trouble. It wasn’t and it didn’t and now NOBODY would get mad at somebody for having their hair grown over their ears and flopping into their eyes (unless they were enlisted and on active duty). Times change, and… Read more »
Yet again, here are more examples of what’s said and what’s heard. Edmund Adjapong (cool name, BTW): I did not indicate that most people who sag are black; in fact, I specifically said “black or white,” so that would be clear. Although, if you got that from the “many of those people are black”–and I admit it might be unclear–I’m referring to the people like me who would also like to say STFU. Secondly, I said STFU was something I “want to say,” and as I have defined the loudness of the music as aggression in my opinion, then even… Read more »