“Get Your Knee Off Our Necks..”

Commentary — By Buddy Sampson on June 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm

By Buddy Sampson

The Reverend Al Sharpton eulogizing George Floyd, speaking about civil rights, pleaded “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks,” referencing the constant oppression of Black Americans, specifically Black men,” saying “This is the time to stop this.” Floyd, killed in a public lynching by the police last week, has drawn outcry from all circles of the world.

I can totally relate. He, and many other Black men, including myself, agree with Mr. Sharpton and have had it. We are tired.

I am tired.

I hear, see, read, and experience it most days-and most Black men do- that Black men’s lives and respect to us just does not matter. We get killed by the police (now Minnesota) discriminated still in hiring and housing, and even before people speak to us, we are judged. I see every damn day where a person in line in front of me is treated with dignity and respect, yet when I am served, I get eye rolls and nasty treatment only because of the color of my skin. The attitude toward us always existed but when Obama got elected- whew! It just stirred up the racists in this country to treat us even worse- to kill us with impunity and discriminate against us for no f—king reason whatsoever.

Yes, I am very, very upset.

I am pretty tired of knowing I’m as talented as anyone yet when I put on my application for jobs that I am African American I do not get a response. I never dreamed when I was a kid in the 70s, having White friends and friends of all races that in 2020 I’m STILL talking about getting judged by the color of my skin or killed in what should be a simple ticket or minor detainment.

I am really tired of hearing about how wrong racism is and why as a Black man I have to be treated differently than anyone else. I am a human being. Black men are human beings and many of us have contributed mightily to making this country as great as they say it is. I went to UCSD to better myself, to enjoy “The American Dream.”

But the American dream for Black men will not be a reality until true change is made. And in this current environment change is still far away. Right now, Black men must be vigilant and watch our backs, but not live in fear. We must stand up for ourselves, because in the Trump administration, racists have been emboldened.  Lately I have had to straighten out several racists because they have been emboldened under this administration. I do not fear them, and ready to fight, die and refuse to be bullied. Unfortunately, like George Floyd, some of us, for change, will die. But we must not be afraid. Our children will suffer if we are. We must not allow ourselves as Black men to tolerate racism and bullies. We must stand up to them. I am not advocating violence, burning buildings or looting. But we must stand up for ourselves and refuse to cower in fear- by anyone, especially racists. Unfortunately, some of us must be willing to die so our children will not have to experience what occurs to Black men every day.

It is shameful that I must talk about it. But I am not afraid to speak up against wrong. Nor am I afraid to die.

And racism against any race is just plain damn wrong. And I am certainly fed up with being on the other side of it.

We can change this. We can be better. But people cannot sit on the sidelines and say, “what a shame.”

It is way beyond the time for decisive action.

Racism MUST stop. Period.

I am tired of it. Truly.

We have proven that when given a chance at opportunity, we excel. We can run corporations, sit on the biggest corporate boards, and run a country. All we are asking as Black men is the simple mantra that the Reverend Al Sharpton eloquently stated in George Floyd’s funeral.

“Get Off Our Necks,” and we can excel and achieve success and the American dream that has been promised to us.

Wishing you all love and Blessings.

Buddy Sampson

Publisher

The Scoop LA