December 3, 2014

The New York grand jury's failure to indict any officer for the killing of Eric Garner is yet more evidence that the lives of African Americans are devalued by too many of our fellow citizens nationwide. In the past decade, we have witnessed the rise of vigilante empowerment in the form of stand-your-ground and open carry laws, and we have seen ample evidence that the implementation of these policies work for the majority population at the expense of African American lives. The advent of widespread video recording devices has made it clear that black people die at the hands of police with a frightening regularity that suggests we as a community are confronted with a police power supported by an indifferent majority. From the murder of Trayvon Martin and Renisha McBride by armed civilians to the police slayings of John Crawford III, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and numerous others, we find ourselves in need of protection from our fellow citizens and our government alike. In the tradition of our founder, Carter G. Woodson, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History will harness knowledge for the sake uplifting black life, making it sacred, and transforming America into the democracy it professes to be.

 Sincerely, 

Daryl Michael Scott

National President