Sir Issac Newton, a well renowned scientist in the 1700s, though he was more of a natural philosopher than scientist if viewed in today’s society. He wrote in his third law of motion, that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” So, you might be thinking…”what does that mean to me?” Ok, I’m happy you asked.
Time: April 2015. Place: Baltimore, Maryland.
A 25-year old African-American man named Freddie Gray suffered injuries during his arrest by six policeman, and he fell into a coma after being transported to the police station, and died the next day. Though this man’s death is tragic in the world’s eyes, I am sad to say that it has become normal to me that policemen, lawyers, judges, etc. all over the U.S. have treating/judging young black men unfairly since slavery. Whether it’s killing them without trial, wrongfully accusing them, or judging them harshly for crimes others would receive slaps on the wrists.
For many of the residents of Baltimore, this was the last straw. And, they rioted the streets, some violent and others non-violent, protesting for justice. People are tired of seeing videos of policemen killing young black men. Thank God for camera phones, because if someone didn’t video record these events, there would be no justice. As long as media and leaders in our society cling to the stereotypical label that all young black men are violent and aggressive, we will forever be guilty until proven innocent. It’s definitely time for a change. Race discrimination is definitely not as bad as it used to be, but we still have a long way to go.
So what was the action that caused the reaction (riots)? I would say it’s the absence of value of life for the African-American male. Even if Freddie Gray committed a crime… did he deserve to die at the hands of six policemen? Whoever is without sin cast the first stone.
Actions are our thoughts in motion. Even if you give to the poor and shelter the homeless, but hate someone because of their skin color, sexual preference, social status, etc… your thoughts will eventually have an equal and opposite reaction of that same hate. But, if you love and think on good things… that love you created will be an action that create reactions of love. Isn’t that what the world needs? All you need is love.