Taken from a Dec. 28 audio recording by prisonradio.org.

News break: Cleveland officials announce no charges to be filed in the police killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice.

12-year-old Tamir Rice, killed by Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann Nov. 22, 2014.

There is something shattering about the death — the killing — of a child.

When a child dies, the natural order is torn, the stars weep and the earth quakes.

We have become so accustomed to this system that we suppose it is natural, instead of a human imposition. Politicians, in the pocket of so-called police unions, bow before bags of silver, and blink away the death of a child; especially if a Black child.

What man-made institution is more precious than a child?

What job?

What so-called profession?

What office?

What state?

When a child dies, adults don’t deserve to breathe their stolen air.

When a child dies, the living must not rest until they have purged the poison that dared harm such a one.

When a child dies, time runs backward and attempts to right such a wrong.

This should inspire movements worldwide, to fight like never before.

For something vile has happened before our eyes.

A child has been killed; and in America, because it’s a Black child, it means next to nothing.

Mumia Abu-Jamal (guest author)

Share
Published by
Mumia Abu-Jamal (guest author)

Recent Posts

Protesters to Biden: ‘Dismantle the Deportation Machine’

Over 100 people rallied at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall next to the Liberty Bell on Dec.…

December 20, 2024

Not one day in prison! No fine in Uhuru 3 sentencing victory!

The following statement was posted on the Hands Off Uhuru website on Dec. 17. 2024;Workers…

December 20, 2024

Has the Resistance in West Asia been defeated?

A Venezuelan international relations expert, Rodriguez Gelfenstein was previously Director of the International Relations of…

December 20, 2024

¿Ha sido derrotada la Resistencia en Asia Occidental?

El autor es consultor y analista internacional venezolano, y fue Director de Relaciones Internacionales de…

December 20, 2024

Health care for people, not for profit!

The United Nations’ “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” has 30 articles delineating what “everyone has…

December 19, 2024

Deport profiteers, not migrants!

Within hours of Donald Trump’s electoral victory on Nov. 5, private prison stocks began to…

December 19, 2024