Police Brutality Vs. Gang Violence

Hello everyone. I would like to talk about this very serious subject from the perspective of someone who has suffered and seen others who have suffered from both. It is not a truly difficult problem. Some of these deaths are horribly blatant examples of police brutality, while others are simply justified. Cops are also killing Whites, Latinos, Asians, and other peoples—sometimes unnecessarily, sometimes justified—but these deaths don't grab headlines like the African American ones do.

So let's look at some facts. Black Lives Matter: absolutely, but do they only matter if they are taken by a police officer? How many African American lives have been lost to the action of law enforcement personnel in the last—let's say—60 years just to make sure we cover the heads of the civil rights movement? Now, how many African American lives have been lost to gang violence in the last 10 years? Look it up; it's available on the net. I don't have access to a computer, seeing as how I'm in prison, but I would be amazed if police have managed to kill even one-tenth in 60 years of what the gangs have killed in 10. If Black Lives Matter—and they most assuredly do—then they matter no matter who took them. Why isn't anyone protesting the gang killings? Hmm, I wonder if we are all getting played.

So police brutality: it does happen. I know for a fact. There are good officers and there are bad officers; believe it or not, most of them are good. Also there are good African Americans and there are bad ones; believe it or not, most of them are good too. This is the part that's simple, but no one wants to admit.

Our police—that's right; they are ours—are fighting a losing battle against the gangs, and to put it simply, they are scared. They don't go to the gang infested areas because it's a lose/lose situation. The gang members hate them, and the non-gang members hate them. If a police officer dies in gang territory, the police there want to celebrate. But if they kill someone there, even if it's self-defense, everyone wants to burn down half a city. So, if an officer is dirty, the good ones keep quiet for two reasons: their lives depend on each other, and it's them against everyone else. These people are underpaid, underequipped, and undermanned, doing one of the most dangerous and thankless jobs in the world.

Here is the crazy part: the truth shall set you free. Good cops should not in any way protect or cover up for dirty cops. When you do, the truth will eventually come out and every cop looks dirty. You have to protect us from people in blue too in order for us to respect you and—honestly—for you to respect yourselves and anyone who ever died on the job.

Now, for all of you good African American people, actually let us include all good people of all colors. I know you are afraid; the gang members are violent and they have weapons which they will use and sadly, you probably have a family member or friend whose in a gang. But you, all of you, need to call up your courage and do the right thing. The only thing that will free you from being their hostage and a slave to fear: cooperate with law enforcement, police officers, prosecutors, and judges. Report the gang activities to the cops and testify in court. Get these people out of your neighborhoods so your children have a better life or at least a chance to live.

How many kids have to die—the ones who are tricked into joining these gangs and the innocent ones who were just coming home or playing in the park—before we put an end to these parasites?

We can change things, but only if we do it together. All of us, of all colors. Don't make it a race issue; it's a human issue. To put any other "twist to it" is not only a lie, it's a crying shame.

Take that from a gay, Christian convict who did five years in prison for trying to protect his inter-racial nieces and nephew—all of whom I love with all of my heart—from their African American father. All lives matter and together, good people of every color and station can make this a safer country to live in.

I love you all and God loves all. Have courage and faith in God and each other, and all things are possible. God bless you, and keep you all of your days.

Peace and Love :)
Donny Welch #1375713
McConnell Unit
3001 S. Emily Dr.
Beeville, TX 78102

or email me at www.jpay.com