On July 31, 2015, there were two stories trending: The shooting death of Sam DaBose in Cleveland by a Cleveland police officer and then another: The killing of a beloved lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park by a Minnesota Dentist after being lured out of his protective habitat by him, then shot, and beheaded (for trophy). White people have literally been in an uproar over this, but not such reaction to the countless stories of innocent Black males who’ve been killed by white police officers. This story broke on the same day that the Cincinnati police officer was indicted for the shooting death of Sam DaBose.
There is currently legislation being enacted by the United States Senate that is going to be presented to the United Nations. The United Nations?
Apparently, there has been global outrage over the senseless killing of African wild life. I can understand that, but there has been senseless killing of Black people in America for over 400 years that hasn’t sparked this kind of outrage.
As a Black woman that has been observing the current events that have been impacting Black lives, first, while growing up in Chicago, and the systematic murders of young Black males since the casual and senseless slaying of Trayvon Martin in 2012; I have to question, what the hell is wrong with white folks? I mean really?
These people get all up in arms over the killing and abuse of animals, but say nothing, even with proof, of innocent Black lives taken.
I love animals. The lion is the symbol of the motherland. However, it is circumspect to see this type of misplaced outrage over a creature (who is not the first lion killed for sport) literally being immortalized with memorials and pictures all over the media about the value of its life.
Are not Black lives valuable?
Many politicians and celebrities are quick to denounce the dentist and pay reverence to the dead lion. Not many are willing to speak out against the senseless violence and killings of young Black men and women at the hands of mostly white police officers. Clearly, a sick double-standard exists. Another glaring example of the strange duplicity in the minds of white people.
“I hope that #WalterPalmer loses his home, his practice & his money. He has already lost his soul…” tweeted Sharon Osbourne on Wednesday.
Even late night host, Jimmy Kimmel choked up at the discussion Cecil death on his show and described it as, “a disgusting tragedy.”
There truly is some kind of strange disconnect.
Writer Roxane Gay asked on Twitter to ask if black people would get more concern if they dressed like lions.
“I’m personally going to start wearing a lion costume when I leave my house so if I get shot, people will care,” she posted.
You know, maybe she has a point.
From The Mind of Truthangel 