Different Nightmares in the Same World

Tags

43 students missing, BLM, Guerrero, Iguala, Mexico, police brutality

For my creative project, I wanted to talk two issues that have bothered me quite a bit in the recent years. I wrote two short poems, something I had never done before (so bear with me), because I thought it would’ve been the best way that I can express my feelings.

For my first poem, I wrote about police brutality towards young minority males, and the treatment they receive especially when wearing specific clothing (in this case, hoodies).

Though the night,

Through the day,

Our hooded angels come out to play.

Put down your fears,

Prevent our dismay

Please, don’t take our babies away.

For my second poem, I wrote about a specific incident. In 2014, 43 male students in Mexico were traveling in buses to Mexico City as part of an annual protest to honor the victims of the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre. During their route, they were arrested by police in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. After their arrest, no one heard from them again. They went missing, and the police had no answers to their whereabouts. It was believed the police handed the students over to a crime syndicate from Guerrero and were tortured and murdered. Months later, body parts of some of the students were found. After investigation, it was concluded that the bodies were in fact burned, tortured, and dismembered.

Year after year,

We mourn the lives that were lost

Since 1968, We have fought for the cause.

We meant no harm, 

We came in peace

Until we were stopped

By Mexican police.

Now we our lost

to our homes we’ll not return

Because we were taken, tortured, then burned.

I wrote about these two issues because it highlights the significant amount of police brutality that not only happens in the United States, but in other parts of the world, too. I hope this poem and other mediums that have given these topics attention serve as a wake up call for authorities everywhere.

Hands up, Don’t Shoot: 7 Easy Ways to Survive Encounters with the Police

Tags

Brutality, Police, Survival

By Justin Prichard

Ever since the West was won, and suburbs began to sprout like weeds, the American people have, for the most part, not had to worry about any sort of Alpha Predator in their daily routine. This is no longer the case. With the militarization of the United States Police forces, all Americans are potential targets for these untamed, wild beasts. Follow these simple steps and you will most likely survive your next encounter with the police.

1. Do Not Break Any Laws!

You may think, “ahh, I never do anything to warrant a cop attack!” WRONG! You may absent mindedly spit on the sidewalk, jaywalk across a street, even forget to signal a lane switch while driving a car. These may not sound like violent offenses, but a cop can sniff out a break in the law no matter how small. One small infraction and you could have a whole pack surrounding you.

2. Keep your hands visible at all times

Cops are suspicious by nature, and if they cannot see what is in your hands, they may automatically assume it is a weapon directed at them. When this happens they will pull their weapon, and ‘subdue’ you.

3. Don’t make any sudden movements

Cops are very fickle creatures and are spooked very easily. If a cop stops you, slowly put your hands on your head and turn to face them. But remember: Don’t make eye contact! A cop has a badge and a gun, and this put them above the common person in the social hierarchy of the animal kingdom. Eye contact will spook them, as they now believe that you have sinister intentions and are not afraid of their superiority.

4. Play dead

If a cop does decide to stop you, the most prudent thing to do is slowly get on the ground and curl up into a fetal position. The smaller you become, the less of a threat the officer will sense.

5. Don’t scream for help or claim loss of breath

A cop does not care how much air you are able to breath. Claiming loss of breath only encourages the officer to increase his attack, as he knows you are not yet submissive. Also, any use of your voice depletes the little remaining oxygen you manage to gasp in through his department approved choke hold.

6. Remain Calm and Submissive

In order not to provoke the officer into attack, remain calm. Any increase in your heart rate or breath rate is almost certain to set off the cop. Cops can sense when you are stressed, and use that moment to enter into an alert state, as they now fear for their lives.

7. Join the Police Academy 

The only sure way to prevent an attack by a cop is to become a cop. Once you are a cop, the chances of your being shot by a cop are almost zero. Cops survive in packs, swarming their pretty with their overwhelming numbers and federally subsidized military hardware. Which side would you like to be on in that scenario? Plus, if you do commit a crime, it’s almost certain you will get away scot-free! If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!