Deray-Mckesson

When it comes to black lives, the National Rifle Association (NRA) hasn’t really been here for us, gun-toting or not.Case in point, take the recent case of Philando Castile, a licensed gun permit carrier who was shot and murdered by a police officer after announcing said gun was in his possession.With all its talk about the “right to bear arms,” whose rights are the NRA actually advocating for?Well, if you weren’t sure before, the answer is about to become painfully obvious.Activist DeRay Mckesson posted the following NRA ad on Twitter, in which serves as an open call to “protect this country.”This NRA ad is an open call to violence to protect white supremacy. If I made a video like this, I'd be in jail. pic.twitter.com/LD65yMUMVn— deray mckesson (@deray) June 29, 2017So, what exactly are they protecting the country from?Media, Hollywood stars, “their schools” and the “ex-President.”And most importantly, “the resistance.”Cause the real reason Obama is chillin' in Indonesia is to plan a rebellion. Mmmhhhmmmn.“And then they use their ex President to endorse the resistance, all to make them march, make them protest, make them scream ‘racism and sexism and xenophobia and homophobia,’ to smash windows, to burn cars, shut down interstates and airports, bully and terrorize the law-abiding until the only option left is for the police to do their jobs and stop the madness,” says the NRA spokesperson. “And when that happens, they’ll use it as an excuse for their outrage. The only way we stop this, the only way we save this country and our freedom is to fight this violence of lies with a clenched fist.”The ad reeks of an “us vs them” with “us” obviously being white supremacy and those who uphold it.Anyone against it?The solution is that “clenched fist.”Sounds to us like the "they" calling for rebellion and violence in the streets is the NRA.DeRay wasn't lying when he said if he'd made this video he'd be in jail. Or maybe he wouldn't even be that...

The very first Peace Ball happened in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Jan 19th. The event was an alternative Inaugural Ball, highlighting "the accomplishments and successes of the past four years and the vow to continue to be the change we want to see in the world." And the distinguished guest list was full of nothing but people who represent a change for so many of us in our community, every day. Angela Davis, Alice Walker, Van Jones, Melissa Harris-Perry, Senator Cory Booker, DeRay Mckesson and Danny Glover are just a few of the many public figures and political activists who came to be counted at the Bus Boys and Poets' Peace Ball. And while there were so many amazing speakers there in that one building at the very same time, it seems as though the biggest highlight of the night came in the variety of musical performance. Music is the universal language that speaks to us all in a way that we can always understand. And that's exactly what both musicians Esperanza Spalding and Solange Knowles did for that crowd at the Smithsonian – and it was all the way lit.Esperanza performed with the help of Howard University's award-winning jazz vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and Angela Davis introduced Solange by referring to her as the "one who will help us produce the anthems for our resistance." Can it really get any better than that?  The 2017 Busboys and Poets' Peace Ball was a demonstration and celebration of the powerful work that so many have been doing to create positive change in the country we live in. Our community has always banded together in order to fight for the progress we deserve in an impactful way that inspires others to do the same. Now that the very first one is in the books, it's safe to be sure that it was not the last. And, these performances by Solange and Esperanza Spalding were just icing on top of the cake. You can get a taste of both performances via NyMag and watch Solange below. .@solangeknowles was the highlight of the #PeaceBall for sure. Intro by THE Angela Davis👑 Dope performance. 🇺🇸 👩🏾We love you!cc .@SaintHeron pic.twitter.com/VdX68RB5Hs— Haili Francis (@Hailiwood) January 20, 2017Solange singing "Mad"#Solange performs at #BustBoysandPoets 2017 #PeaceBall in #DC #Mad #ASeatAtTheTable pic.twitter.com/9e6uSmWwIj— TheBeat (@thebeat_blog) January 20, 2017Loving Blavity’s content? Sign up for our...

Prominent Black Lives Matter activist, DeRay Mckesson has filed suit against the city of Baton Rouge and police officials over his July 9th arrest. According to The Associated Press, the lawsuit claims that police acted in a "militarized and aggressive manner" while detaining him in a protest against the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Mckesson, whose arrest was captured live on Periscope, was detained on a charge of obstructing a highway. The moment @deray got arrested live on Periscope. Here are some of the Periscope comments along w/ video. #FreeDeray pic.twitter.com/arDrzxrW4a— Jessie Karangu (@JMKTV) July 10, 2016 The charge was later dropped. He was one of nearly 200 protestors arrested.  The federal class-action lawsuit which includes two other protestors, claims police were unnecessarily aggressive during the arrests using excessive force in violation of the protesters' constitutional rights. According to the AP, the suit calls for "unspecified compensation for lost wages, court costs and other expenses related to the arrests". In an interview with MSNBC shortly after his release, Deray described the incident saying, "If you see the Periscope, I was streaming all of it even in the moment that I got pushed down to the ground from behind and it was clear that I was not in the street. I showed the line, itself and I think that it will be proven that police officers were provoking protestors the entire time and I was just one of the many people they were provoking." Never miss a headline! Sign up for Blavity's daily...

Prosecutors in Baton Rouge have decided to drop charges in about 100 cases involving protesters arrested for obstruction of a roadway or public passage. District Attorney Hillar C. Moore III of East Baton Rouge reviewed the arrests ranging from July 8 and July 11. In a statement, he announced only four protesters remained in jail due to other factors. According to Louisiana law, first-time offenders are entitled to have misdemeanor arrests expunged from their state record, pending no other arrests or convictions. Ieshia Evans, the woman in the iconic photo captured in the protests and DeRay Mckesson are among the individuals who charges were dropped.  Mckesson a prominent Black Lives Matter figure, founded and leads We the Protesters, a group that advocates policy changes to stem police violence. McKesson was arrested on one count of obstruction of a highway,  a misdemeanor, as he was walking along Baton Rouge's Airline Highway. The entire ordeal surrounding DeRay's arrest along with other demonstrators was discussed heavily across Black Twitter as the community banded together to help allocate resources, call the jail and round up lawyers who could potentially offer services. After being released Mckesson and others arrested requested relief in the form of the charges being dropped by the Baton Rouge DA's office. "It is clear that the District Attorney understood that the arrest was unlawful and dropped the charges accordingly," Mckesson told The Baltimore Sun. His attorney, Roy Rodney Jr. is also pleased with the outcome. "This is exactly the relief we had requested from the district attorney and the relief we had expected," Rodney said. "So I'm glad to see that the DA conducted a rational review of the facts of this case, because Mr. Mckesson had done nothing wrong. He has not violated the law, nor had he disobeyed any police officers." Even though we already celebrated with a #derayhasbeenreleasedparty, we are still glad to see that in the end, the DA's office did what was right as protesters exercised their legal rights. Stay connected and sign up for Blavity's...

Influential Black Lives Matter activist, DeRay Mckesson is one of over 100 individuals arrested late Saturday into early Sunday after a night of protests and unrest in Baton Rouge. The tension comes following a week of national protests calling for police accountability after the deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, rounding out the week with the killings of officers in Dallas. Images of McKesson being arrested circulated on social media as he is seen cooperating with officers. He was charged with "simple obstruction of a highway of commerce" and released on Sunday afternoon. The conditions of his release were not listed. Deray Mckesson Affidavit of Probable Cause by AdvocateOnline on Scribd Mckesson posted about the experience via Twitter, thanking his supporters. As I was in the cell over the past 17 hours, I thought of the quote that simply says if you want to test a man's character, give him power.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 5 days ago, we saw the character of a few #BatonRouge officers as they used their power to act as the judge/jury then kill #AltonSterling.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 4 days ago, we saw the character of a police officer in MN, like those in #BatonRouge, as he used his power to executive #PhilandoCastillo.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 3 days ago, we saw activists & organizers continue to challenge the abuse of power of police officers in the name of the newly fallen.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 2 days ago, the protests continued to grow in #BatonRouge & shifted from Foster to Airline, as folks steadfastly challenged police power.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 1 day ago, just last night, we saw the police abuse their power & intentionally provoke protestors in order to create & exploit conflict.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 There is no group of citizens that should be able to exercise their power w/o accountability or transparency, like the police currently can.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 In the Parrish prison cells, we continued to talk about the work of social justice & to build community. We all continue to grow.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 At times, all 50 of us were in one cell, unable to all sit, sleeping on the floor or under the benches. But our spirits remained strong.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 I learned much about #BatonRouge from Chris, Miguel, & countless others while in custody & was also able to share info re: social justice.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 We talked about a lot in those cells -- about #BlackGirlMagic in protest, the Metro Council, new ways of organizing, and voting.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 And we are working w/ so many incredible folks to ensure that the rest of the people arrested get released quickly, too.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 I think of protest as truth-telling in public. And I will never be afraid to tell the truth.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 And shout-out to @Twitter and @periscopeco for helping us tell our story last night & over the past few years. Y'all are invaluable.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 And thank you to the young woman who allowed me to text from her phone when I first got arrested so I could contact friends & the media.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 I love my blackness. And yours.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 And thank you to everyone who called, emailed, tweeted, texted, or donated on behalf of those of us who were arrested last night.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 Sidenote: jail breakfast is awful & they'd be much better off buying apples to replace the "oatmeal" & the OJ is grainy.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 I'm going to get a quick nap now. Sleeping on the floor under the fluorescent light of a jail leaves a lot to be desired. Be well, y'all.— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016 Once everyone got word that DeRay was okay, the party began. In the #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty like 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/lDmPQA59lI— Autumn. (@finesse_autumn) July 10, 2016 Quick praise break to start it off right b/c it was nobody but GOD #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty https://t.co/j3co2ZXx29— ShakariSBriggs (@ShakariSBriggs) July 10, 2016 Me arriving to the #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/0GieZMH2a6— Ricky Fontaine (@hoodopulence) July 10, 2016 Rolling up to #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty like..... pic.twitter.com/ZjTF0JtuPj— First of her name (@HageeBear) July 10, 2016 A nondiscriminatory, peaceful gathering. Me and @x3_Mea teaching our white friend that support BLM how to get in formation at the #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/CzUXrIEEWA— Tracy SLAYcy ✨ (@TKapyamba) July 11, 2016 Some came bearing gifts. Gift registry... #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/yPCPN6aNaF— Truthiest (@tmtweetz) July 10, 2016 And the DJ played all the jamz. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty Let's get it crunk, we gon have fun up on up in this dancery pic.twitter.com/FDkSxTMrZo— maya :) (@ebonixcs) July 10, 2016 #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty the music is bumping pic.twitter.com/DEzLZEBMcC— Braidyoncé (@Trillxonce) July 10, 2016 With a few special dedications. About to hit the stage and sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/mQ7rXBIEmk— Kristopher✊ (@Krischievous) July 10, 2016 The VIP section was LIT, too. Oh #BlackTwitter. You make me smile. This #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty is just what I needed today. I love us. Onward. pic.twitter.com/wrIUXFmora— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) July 10, 2016 Secruity was extremely tight. Security doesn't recognize #StaceyDash on the guest list. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/nheFo9Q44L— ⚡️DJ Styles⚡️ (@somanystyles) July 10, 2016 #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty Omarion's baby momma just tried to slide thru but i remember she tweeted all lives matter pic.twitter.com/V4vqFGKf7A— ZÉ (@smallbellybella) July 10, 2016 Security at the door waiting for the #alllivesmatter folks like #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/gkkVC7wYV8— Darianne (@lovejaelle) July 11, 2016 Walking past the "All Lives Matter" crew. #derayhasbeenreleasedparty pic.twitter.com/JVKjB7RCd3— Jocelyn Dee (@jocelyn528) July 10, 2016 Hats off to the chef. Who made this potato salad? 😂😂😂😂😂#DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/nAzO71z71Z— real facade (@realfacade1) July 10, 2016 Awwww shiii, the peach cobbler just arrived. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/sYvSXvkxSn— Serial Chiller (@Revolut10nARI) July 10, 2016 I have to dance off all that macaroni I ate... #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/t9Ma9GgX3w— Damatrè&Jermelangel (@neyneyzone6) July 10, 2016 And plenty of drinks flowing. IN OTHER NEWS this #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty is LIT! i hear the open bar is stocked up on the good shit pic.twitter.com/hhNm5A9fGf— liza sabater (@blogdiva) July 11, 2016 I made a guest appearance. Sorry ya'll I'm late. Had a pie cooking. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/tO2z4QWAeS— GirlTyler (@sheistyler) July 10, 2016 But had to dip early. Can't stay long. Gotta get back to the house & get these greens started. Be good ya'll. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/BCaskGlhye— GirlTyler (@sheistyler) July 10, 2016 Want more articles from Girl Tyler? Sign up for Blavity's daily...

After the events of Saturday night, it seems as conversations on some people's timelines the next day revolved around those who are at the front lines of the Black Lives Matter movement. The gay men and queer folks and fat darkskinned women that y'all hate so deeply are the main ones out here fighting for OUR freedom.— sandra bland (@crissles) July 10, 2016 DeRay McKesson, a young black gay male, is one of the most prominent, visible fighters. While I haven't seen too many tweets in this manner on my end, it doesn't surprise me that many others are seeing sentiments that are unfavorable of DeRay. Because he's a gay man, he shouldn't be a visible activist? Crazy, right? Can't believe I woke up to #Deray is gay so he shouldn't be involved in leading a movement 2 better our people. STHU pic.twitter.com/qIIWHQjsw6 — ✌️ (@Ms_JackieE) July 10, 2016 Deray is too gay Jesse Williams is too light skinned/handsome Hypermasculine Black Men are a problem — ANOHИI (@Lyso) July 10, 2016 In case we've forgotten, here is a little tidbit of information on a man by the name of Bayard Rusin. I know I can't do Mr. Rustin justice in only a certain amount of words, so here's what you need to know: Rustin was crucial in the civil rights movement of the 60s, and yes, Rustin was a gay man. An advocate for non-violence as a form of resistance, he was a key organizer in in protests, organizing events worldwide from England to the United States. Rustin was even key in organizing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference! He began working with Dr. Martin Luther King as an organizer and strategist in the mid 50s. He worked with him to desegregate buses in Alabama and he was a "key figure" in the organization of 1963's iconic March on Washington, where King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. Bayard Rustin was dope and never got the respect he deserved. He fought long after the initial CRM ended. 🌈✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/YV6rfH1Y16 — Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) July 10, 2016 It's ridiculous to think that Rustin did so much for us, yet he was criminalized for being himself. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail in 1963 for "publicly engaging in homosexual activity." Yes you read this right. In fact, homosexuality was a criminal act in some parts of the United States until 2003. There was also lots of controversy. An initial march outside of the Democratic National Convention was planned in 1960 prior to the one in 1963. But another black political leader, Rep. Adam Powell of New York, told Dr. King if he didn't remove Rustin, he would spread to the press that King and Rustin were lovers. King obliged, and according to James Baldwin, the "I Have a Dream" speaker "lost much moral credit … in the eyes of the young." Despite linking together again for the famous march in 1963, NAACP leaders wouldn't allow Rustin to be at the forefront, and he had to be the deputy to his fellow organizer. A. Phillip Randolph. They both worked with John Lewis on his speech for the event as well. Not only did he receive critique from his own people, infamous Republican senator Strom Thurmond attacked Rustin personally. Through all of the negativity, Rustin continued to prevail, making the march a success and going on to work in many endeavors such as Democratic party politics, activism on the international level, gay rights and much more. Rustin trended today on Twitter, as many wanted people to know how wrong they were if they do in fact have bigoted views. If it wasn't for Bayard Rustin: a gay Black man, there'd pretty much be no Civil Rights Movement! #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/up3hlG5LNV — Jerome Trammel (@MrJeromeTrammel) July 10, 2016 Little known fact: Bayard Rustin was arrested for trying to integrate buses several years before Rosa Parks. — (((Magic & Real))) (@DarlingEbony) July 10, 2016 Without Bayard Rustin we would not have had half the strategy used in the CRM. You want to erase black LGBT people, you better rethink. — Bayard Taught Me (@_M_Pulse) July 10, 2016 Same Ashies quick to retweet a Bayard Rustin or James Baldwin quote are complaining that a gay Black man is the face of the movement. ☕️🐸 — ☔️ April ☔️ (@ReignOfApril) July 10, 2016 Yall buggin about @deray but did yall forget Bayard Rustin & James Baldwin were both gay men heavily involved in the civil rights movement? — Veedo (@VOC_Jr) July 10, 2016 Without Bayard Rustin you wouldn't have your beloved Martin Luther King Jr. — Lazer Gun Carrier (@branfire) July 10, 2016 Rustin, who died in 1987 posthumously received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2013, which was accepted by his longtime partner, Walter Naegle. In fact, let's not discuss only Rustin, as he is only one of our black LGBT pioneers. There's James Baldwin, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, Alvin Ailey, to be honest we could go on and on. Especially with so much going on now, it's important to know your history. Loving Blavity's content? Sign up for our daily...

In the wake of all of the past week's shootings, protests have been breaking out all across the country, peacefully demanding for a stop in police brutality and the declaration that black lives matter. One protest in particular was held yesterday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Alton Sterling was killed by a police officer. As police intervened, they arrested dozens of protestors, reported to be over 100. Arrests include prominent activist DeRay McKesson and at least two journalists. People who were at the protest also tweeted that at least one teenager was among the arrests as well. DeRay was streaming live on Periscope when his arrest took place. Right before the arrest, DeRay was talking about how the police had been provoking people. "The police of Baton Rouge have been truly awful today. The police have been violent tonight, the protestors have not," he said. Once McKesson begins to film what seems to be an arrest of another protestor, he is then arrested himself, as an officer tells him "Don't fight me." In pictures and video he is seen to brought to his knees. McKesson's arrest was captured on Periscope of Jamila Burley. Another video of @deray's arrest taken by @JamiraBurley. He was well behind the white line. #FreeDeray pic.twitter.com/QZURUhHsMH — Brittany Packnett☔️ (@MsPackyetti) July 10, 2016 Other videos have also appeared, seemingly from DeRay's live stream. Deray was doing the same thing as the other protesters. He was targeted #FreeDeray pic.twitter.com/aAii6s28CV — reggie (@1942bs) July 10, 2016 Fellow activists Brittany Packnett and Johnetta Elzie tweeted about what was going on. They told @deray, "u w the loud shoes-you've been flagged. Step out again and get arrested." He didn't. They tackled him. On his birthday. — Brittany Packnett☔️ (@MsPackyetti) July 10, 2016 Picture of @deray getting arrested. WHY are there so many officers on him?!? #FreeDeray pic.twitter.com/R43tYUi9Gj — Brittany Packnett☔️ (@MsPackyetti) July 10, 2016 Protesters on the bus asked for the police officers names who arrested them and the answer was "police man" #AltonSterling — Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) July 10, 2016 They didn't read @deray his rights. Protesters say they grabbed him from behind. "You with the loud shoes" #AltonSterling — Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) July 10, 2016 They are asking for people to call the BRPD. Called the 535 number. Officer answered the phone laughing. Told me she had other things to do. @MsPackyetti https://t.co/yQkyebAsUO — Gabrielle Horton (@gabhorton) July 10, 2016 According to Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowry, DeRay said that some of their hands were tied too tight, and he was arrested with 33 others. Just got this text message from @deray, who has been arrested in Baton Rouge - says being held with 33 others pic.twitter.com/feLANYEdDs — Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) July 10, 2016 However, WAFB (who had an employee taken into custody) says  that over 100 were arrested in total from Saturday's protest. There has been an official CrowdRise page created to assist in bail money for those arrested. Right now, people are still asked to call the Baton Rouge Police Department at 225-358-4009 and demand for the release of the protestors. UPDATE: Johnetta Elzie tweeted that DeRay had been released after bail was processed and lawyers were working to get others processed and released. .@deray is free. #AltonSterling pic.twitter.com/aqaMbrZpaa— Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) July 10, 2016 People are being released, families are outside. Lawyers are working to get them processed out. https://t.co/ap58OeIy76— Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) July 10, 2016 ABC News also talked to DeRay right after he was released. Deray McKesson speaks after being released from jail: Baton Rouge PD "only people that were violent last night."https://t.co/Vys63ZHFWj— ABC News (@ABC) July 10, 2016 Stay in the know. Sign up for our daily...

The horrific killings in Baton Rouge and Minnesota triggered a series of groundbreaking events within the last week. Protesters in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, and Memphis hit the streets to air out their disdain over police brutality. The Bahamas' Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration issued a travel warning to young black men, encouraging them to be prudent when engaging with U.S. police. Most shockingly, the murder of Philando Castile elicited a response from the National Rifle Association. The response that was not a response. The reports from #Minnesota are troubling and must be thoroughly investigated. #2A #NRA pic.twitter.com/Z7wEQNBs0y — NRA (@NRA) July 8, 2016 This self-proclaimed civil rights organization regularly receives criticisms for their silence on police brutality. The NRA claims to be "diligent protectors of the Second Amendment." But their commitment seems to evaporate when it comes to black lives. From Alton Sterling to  John Crawford III, the NRA maintains a wall of silence. But, of course, the NRA denies allegations of racism. Colin Noir is right. We don't know all the facts about Philando Castile, but we do have a lot of facts about past and present events. We know Philando Castile was stopped by police because of his "wide nose." We know the officer who killed Tamir Rice in an open-carry state was "deemed unfit for duty by another police agency," and yet the Cleveland Police department allowed him to patrol the streets. We know the NRA has yet to denounce the very real trend of police brutality against black American citizens. *waits for @NRA to raise hell for #AltonSterling since he was in an open carry state* Jk, black lives don't matter to them. — Catison is Baesic. (@namasteinmylane) July 6, 2016 Their stance was made clear when it came to the lives of officers in Dallas. The NRA's silence on police killings is partially because of their alliance with the GOP. The Republican Party's relationship with racism complicates their claim for being champions of equality. Since the presidential campaigns of Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon, the GOP has perfected the art of dog whistle politics. In essence, Republican politicians galvanize their base (the silent majority) against urban unrest through coded language. Dog whistle politics lives at the core of Republican rhetoric. That is, until Donald Trump. Trump disregards the Republican tradition of using coded language. He's called Mexican people rapists, demanded a temporary ban be placed on Muslim immigrants, and alleged a judge cannot properly do his job because of 'Mexican heritage.' I find it challenging to believe the NRA's latest "look at all these black people, tell everyone we are not racist" crusade when they support a man who facilitates a climate of violence and acceptable racism. The NRA's inability to support black lives upholds their commitment to support white supremacy under the guise of protecting the second amendment. [Madman shoots 25 ppl] NRA: Protect the 2nd ammendment! [Black man is murdered by cop for legally carrying] NRA: pic.twitter.com/JwEqIJyYxF — Lyle Clip Art (@Kyle_Lippert) July 10, 2016 Want more articles from Erin? Sign up for our daily...

It’s been 4 years since the murder of Trayvon Martin, and I still feel hopeless. I don't always reside in this state of sadness. During moments of joy communally shared between black people, I remember the interconnectedness of our blackness. Finding refuge in the fact that black people praise one another for beauty and the creation of art puts me in a state of elated paralysis. But like death, the harsh reality finds its way back into my psyche to remind me of the violence against black bodies. I find it hard to put into words the feelings that take over when another black person is murdered by the police. What initially hits me is sadness. Sadness because of the life that is lost and the justice that will never be served. That sadness quickly turns to rage. Yet society expects me to not outwardly express my rage. At what point am I allowed to be frank? I want to tear sh*t apart. The seemingly futile attempts to receive fair and equal treatment under the law thrusts me into a state of unconsciousness, reminding me that black people were never included in the American dream. . @Rosenbergradio loses it on police officer over #AltonSterling killing #EbroInTheMorning pic.twitter.com/YgMMqYxCXX— HOT 97 (@HOT97) July 6, 2016 Part of me feels like I should be used to this cycle — black person murdered by police, media reports, police deny liability and dig for the worst possible image of the victim they can find in an attempt to vilify, police and media search for past infractions, and on and on and on. Prayers are sent and black America is lectured on "fixing their problems" and instructed to just "forgive and forget."  But how can I forget a legacy of unapologetic state sanctioned violence against black bodies? So I continually ask everyone the same questions: How can people who pay taxes be treated like animals? Why doesn't the NRA viciously protect the right of black Americans to legally carry weapons? The repetition of this cycle breeds fury I am not supposed to express. But I shouldn't have to be passive aggressive about American citizens being murdered by their own government. Black people have the right to stand on street corners. Black people have the right to sell cigarettes. Black people have the right to sleep and the right to wear hoodies and the right to purchase Skittles – or at least that's what we thought. But the inalienable right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" seems to only be applicable to a certain type of American. Alton Sterling is the 558th person to be killed by the police this year. He was an American citizen and a father of five children. Yet, this American citizen was murdered by the people assigned to protect him. How can black people truly be safe if those sworn to protect and serve them go about their jobs like its a hunting expedition?  Black men are 25% of Baton Rogue population but 100% of those killed by Baton Rogue police.— Samuel Sinyangwe (@samswey) July 6, 2016 Truth be told, I don't just feel hopeless, I feel helpless. The task of uprooting a sickness that has wrecked this country since its founding is not as simple as voting in elections. White supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy, homophobia and transphobia seem to have found a way to perfectly coexist while creating the facade of a free and democratic society. I feel helpless, but I'm afraid to say that aloud. We are told to pray and remain respectable. We are told not blast NWA at protests because "it can paint the wrong picture." But why should I have to engage in respectability? F*ck respectability politics. The police weren't respectable when they murdered #AltonSterling.  One day in this goddamn world, the violets in the mountains will break the rocks. #AltonSterling— Ira Madison III (@ira) July 6, 2016 Issa Rae started a scholarship fund for the children in the Sterling family. You can donate here. For more coverage of Alton Sterling, sign up for our daily...

Early this morning, activist DeRay McKesson's Twitter account sent out really odd statements. And people noticed... Black twitter after seeing @deray 's Trump tweet, before realizing he was hacked. pic.twitter.com/fMBaf492f3 — Captain Kirk (@ILLCapitano94) June 10, 2016 My heart dropped when I saw Deray trending because he endorsed Donald Trump. Turns out he was the victim of a malicious hacker. God is good. — ℕUFF$AID (@nuffsaidNY) June 10, 2016 Please take 30 seconds and change your password. We all are vulnerable. Deray's account is proving that. — ☔️ April ☔️ (@ReignOfApril) June 10, 2016 McKesson confirmed in a phone call to Mic saying, "I was super hacked." His account was not the first to be hacked. Most recently, Drake, Katy Perry, and Kylie Jenner have all suffered from hackers. Twitter affirms that their security systems are not breached. "We've been working to help keep accounts protected by checking our data against what's been shared from recent other password leaks," the company said in a statement. Instead, they propose that a virus is infecting people's accounts. We have investigated reports of Twitter usernames/passwords on the dark web, and we're confident that our systems have not been breached. — Michael Coates ஃ (@_mwc) June 9, 2016 These hackers are obviously targeting the wrong accounts.... So Deray got hacked.... Again y'all hackers will go after almost everybody but you wont mess with Sallie Mae... pic.twitter.com/ae0OUQyODL — James (@WiseOne719) June 10, 2016 Guess it's time to change your password for good measure. UPDATE: In a string of tweets, DeRay revealed that there was no way that his Twitter hack was associated with the recent string of other hacks. Instead, someone literally tried to hack his entire life! I was hacked today: my Twitter account, two email addresses, & my phone. It was not due to passwords, they hacked my phone account itself. — deray mckesson (@deray) June 10, 2016 At 10:31 am, someone called @verizon impersonating me and successfully changed my SIM & unsuccessfully attempted to change my phone number. — deray mckesson (@deray) June 10, 2016 Today I learned that it is rather easy for someone to call the provider & change your SIM. The hacker got the account verification texts. — deray mckesson (@deray) June 10, 2016 Verizon recorded the call made this morning by the imposter and we are working with lawyers to get the recording. It's been a long day. — deray mckesson (@deray) June 10, 2016 Just so y'all know, he made it clear on how he stands on Trump. No, I do not endorse Trump as the next President. He cannot be the President of the United States. He is racist & a bigot, unfit to lead. — deray mckesson (@deray) June 10, 2016 Be careful out here y'all! Loving Blavity’s content? Sign up for our daily newsletter and never miss a...