Trumpeter Nicholas Payton has some strong words for “Black America” in light of the recent police shooting of the unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Nicholas Payton. Photo by Skip Bolen.
Never one to mince words on his personal blog, Payton wastes no time diving into the heart of the matter, joining a chorus of other commentators across the country who feel Brown’s shooting sheds a light on racial tensions and how they affect the black community.
Payton begins his powerful post by saying: “Message to Black America: It’s unlikely that the lawmakers or their agents will ever admit when they’re guilty of a crime. Just us.”
After going on to say that political affiliations do not matter in the face of racial prejudice, Payton draws a direct link between Brown’s killing and the Trayvon Martin case.
After a string of seven strong statements, Payton asks a very pointed question: “What’s going to be different this time?”
Rather than waiting for the justice system to “declare our humanity,” Payton calls on the black community to claim it.
“The most rebellious thing you can do as a people is invest in your community, daily. Build truth; destroy the lie.”
In light of fellow trumpeter Shamarr Allen’s recent encounter with Louisiana State Troopers, Payton’s words manage to take on a real and personal feel for New Orleans residents while helping to bring the Brown and Martin cases into sharper focus.
What do you think of Nicholas Payton’s message to Black America?
