So much of the violence we experience in America is mediated, composed through the prism of culture, critique, justification to the point of turning people into talking points, objects to be moved around a chessboard. But like so many names that have become familiar over the last few years, Philando Castile was not a chess piece. He was, of course, a human being with family and friends who loved him dearly. There are more people than I expected, who I know in real life, who have been directly effected by this tragedy. People who have to find the words and the courage to tell their children that someone they cared for, counted on, trusted is no longer among the living. People I know who had to brace themselves for the reaction after they told their child, “Mr. Phil was murdered.” If we can allow the repetition of the process of degradation and murder in America for the sake of controlling blackness, then we must force ourselves towards the same style of repetition in the reverse, telling ourselves and others, one time and one time more, that Philando Castile was a human being. Philando Castile was not an object. Philando Castile was not put on this earth to be made an example of.
We Must Move Towards Being Fully Human
Everyone watch these statements from Philando Castile’s mother and sister. Every point, personal or societal, dead center at the heart of all that is unjust and murderous in this state and in this country.
And on top of that, see the effects of this state sanctioned death cult on family and friends. To the right of Mrs. Castile you’ll see John Thompson. Many people have gotten to know John over the last year, and many more have witnessed his actions and listened to his words online as he fights and testifies for his friend and former co-worker, Philando. John has gone far and wide to make sure that Philando was not murdered in vain, to see that something bold, honest, and humane could come out of such horrendous circumstances. With fierce eloquence, passionate vulnerability, respect, and resolve John has put himself on the front lines of this fight for humanness over our murderous natures. He, and so many others, deserve our support tonight. They deserve care, comfort, our most intense, rich resolve to move forward along side them towards a future that we know is possible if we try. This world we are living in is not enough. We are letting one another down. We are losing sight of our true reward; the strength and joy of life when we see, feel, carry ourselves, and respond to one another as fully human.
This does not end here, as it didn’t begin here. Each and every injustice witnessed should find us coming closer together, dissolving petty differences, and fighting in lockstep for what matters most, which is the right for each and everyone of us to live with dignity, respect, and support from the world around them. If we are not up for that fight than we do not deserve one another, and we should expect to get what we deserve in turn.