The State of Emergency

Trayvon Martin. Michael Brown. Keith Scott. These are only a few names on the growing list of men killed by police shootings against African Americans, particularly black males. In an effort to evoke action and community involvement, the Association of African American Students here at USC, hosted a State of Emergency Forum. The panelist included Todd Rutherford (ESQ), Bakari Sellers (ESQ), city prosecutor Justin Williams, and Columbia Deputy Chief MJ Kelly.

During this forum, the panelists answered several questions and gave insightful opinions and advice regarding these growing fatalities. The idea of community involvement and participation rang loud throughout the forum. “You have to take the burden of actually showing up to meetings and calling in situation…get involved and voice your concern,” urged Rutherford.

Many communities have been concerned with how these incidents are affecting community relationship with the police force. Deputy Chief Kelly ensured students that he’s making sure he does all he can to help police build trust in communities. “It is my duty to make sure that I hire the right people on the police force,” says Deputy Chief Kelly.

While encouraging students to peacefully protest and make sure their voices are heard within their communities, the panelists also urged the students to be careful, and to never protest at night. But, patience and diligence is key in working for change. “Civil disobedience has been proven to get things done. You just have to follow things all the way out,” says Williams. Essentially, it’s all about how badly someone wants change and the work they are willing to put in. Bakari Sellers made the statement, “What do you want to be relevant? Everything.”